Meet the New Owner of Our Salon with Jess Attard

What happens when a team member who wants more progression ends up holding the keys to the salon?In this episode, Nic and Tess sit down with Jess Attard, the new owner of Ahead, to share the real story behind their salon sale. What may look simple from the outside was actually a journey filled with leadership, trust, timing, courage, and a whole lot of patience.Jess shares her winding path from hairdressing to running a home studio, managing a gym, stepping into the corporate world, and eventually finding her way back to the industry she loved. She opens up about the personal challenges that shaped her, the pressure she puts on herself, and the mindset shift required to move from being a team member to becoming the person responsible for leading a growing business.Then they go behind the scenes of the salon purchase itself, from the initial conversations and negotiations to lawyers, accountants, lease transfers, landlord approvals, and the long periods of waiting when nothing seemed to be moving.Throughout the conversation, Nic, Tess, and Jess share what helped them protect their relationship through the transition and why a successful succession is about so much more than signing paperwork. It's about trust, communication, and creating an opportunity where both the outgoing and incoming owner can step into their next chapter with confidence.In this episode, you'll learn:💇‍♀️ How Jess went from team member to becoming the owner of a thriving salon🌱 Why creating opportunities for team progression can completely change someone's career🧠 The mindset shift required to step from employee into leadership and ownership❤️ How personal challenges can shape the way you lead and build your business🤝 Why trust and strong relationships are essential when selling a business to someone you know📋 What the salon purchase process actually looks like behind the scenes⏳ The reality of navigating lawyers, accountants, leases, landlords, and unexpected delays🚀 Jess's vision for creating more opportunities for her team and building deeper community connectionWhether you're a hairdresser dreaming of salon ownership, a salon owner thinking about succession, or a team member ready for your next level of growth, Jess's story offers an honest look at what it really takes to make that transition.Sometimes the biggest opportunities begin with simply having the courage to say, "What if I could?"To follow our journey:Instagram @aheadhair_@the_conscious_salon