Episodes

Imagine a world where businesses thrive not on competition but on community and collaboration. That's the reality we're painting in this illuminating discussion. As a veteran of the beauty industry, I've discovered firsthand how crucial it is to form professional connections and engage with our community. This synergy doesn't just drive business growth, but it elevates the entire industry standard, benefiting everyone in it. Like a rising tide that lifts all boats, this collective effort has he...

Are you wrestling with the sticky challenges posed by humidity in your sugar waxing room? Do you dream of mastering the perfect sugar paste texture, regardless of the weather? Courtney and Ben Leddy, the dynamic sugar duo, come to the rescue in this enlightening episode, armed with their valuable insights and experiences. They pull back the curtain on the often-overlooked topic of managing humidity levels in the treatment room, revealing how this vital aspect can significantly impact your sugar...

As the weather warms up and the tank tops come out, your clients may be looking for that extra warm glow - but why risk damaging their beautiful skin with harmful UV rays when you could simply spray it on? This week we’re throwing it back to an interview with the incomparable Kelly Callaghan to talk about how to add spray tanning to your sugaring biz, and how we can collaborate together to take our businesses to the next level. Kelly is an industry trailblazer who notoriously started an intern...

Are you nursing a bit of a post-tax-season hangover? Never fear, our favorite Beauty CPA is here! Kenesha Coleman is an award-winning CPA and IRS Enrolled Agent who specializes in helping ambitious and driven Beauty Entrepreneurs save money by optimizing their tax and financial lives. I know many of our Sugar Tribe has gone to her to do their taxes and no matter what state they're in, she can help. So instead of helping with the aftermath, Kenesha is here today to set you up with proper tax pl...

So your face has flared up to the point where you feel more tomato than human - now what? Shawna Rocha is the Director of Education for Hale & Hush (a brand we <3 here!) and a sensitive skin expert to the max. Not only does she teach a class in the Advanced Knowledge Library, but we’ve also taught together on this exact topic. Shawna is a sensitive-skin master. Whether it's medically sensitive, environmentally sensitive, product sensitivities, hair removal sensitivities, or whatever your skin ...

With the rise of social media and all the time and energy you’ve spent to keep up with what's trending or stay relevant, you may be asking yourself “Do I even need a website anymore?” Heck yes! And Grant Kantios is here to tell you why. Grant is the self-proclaimed “Chief Happy Officer” at HappyTans.com and a website wizard who helps businesses improve their website & online presence to generate more leads and more importantly, sales. Whether you’re a seasoned sugar pro looking to polish up yo...

Have you ever thought about going back to Sugar School? I know what you’re thinking - “But Shannon, I already have my Sugaring Certification and a solid book of clients who keep coming back for more, what more could I possibly have to learn??” The answer is a whole heck of a lot! This week Tiffany Montalbano, lead educator at Alexander’s Aesthetics, is back on the podcast to reminisce about the dark days of COVID lockdown and the massive benefits of continuing sugaring education. So even if yo...

Today I’ve got the incredible Stephanie Laynes with me and we’re talking all about Facebook Groups. Not mine, not hers, YOURS! There really isn’t anything else on the internet like a Facebook group. Sure you can blast your next event out to the masses on your Insta or engage with your followers in the comments section, but a Facebook group is really the only way to create real, meaningful connections with your community. So if you’ve ever considered having a Facebook group (or if you’ve had on...

Are you someone who thinks your clients’ experience begins and ends in the treatment room? Oh if only it were that easy! But we can’t leave it up to our clients to Google or binge-watch TikTok for the latest fads to take care of their skin in between appointments. The results of that can range from silly (did you really think that a flashlight marketed as a "laser" would reduce hair growth?) to downright irresponsible (hello second-degree chemical burn from a high-powered acid exfoliant used on...

Wanna know the secret to increasing your sugaring or skincare business by 50 new clients easily? Sugaring isn’t just for the girls anymore! All humans can want a smooth chest, back, or Brazilian or polished brows. So whether you’re marketing to clients who identify as male, are transitioning, or anywhere in between - it’s time we changed our perspective on who our ideal sugaring or skincare client is! BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN: How the rise of social media has helped men e...

With tax season knocking on our doors, it's the time of year when we estheticians get real about our businesses. And what better way than to ask ourselves the hard-hitting questions? Have you taken the necessary steps to make sure your sugar business is protected with the appropriate trademark? Do you even know what a “trademark” means to your business? In this episode of The Sugar Show, SugarMama Shannon O’Brien sits down with her legal guide, Joey Vitale, to discuss the importance of doing d...

So many of my podcasts are geared toward estheticians who have their own businesses, which is awesome, or maybe they're thinking of going solo. But today I wanted to address the employees. For all those employees out there, it is really an awesome time for your career because you can focus on your clients and not worry about all the details of running a skincare business. So let's dive into how you can be the best employee you can be. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN: The seven ...

What do you get when you mix an RN, a cosmetologist, and a little bit of sugar? A Sugar Goddess™️ that’s what! I am so excited to introduce all my Sugar Babes to meet Courtney Eddy. Courtney is the founder of Sugar Goddess™️, a beautiful line of sugaring products that she built with the help of her husband Ben on the admin side. So grab those headphones and listen up, because Courtney is here to tell you what it really takes to be a Sugar Goddess! BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISC...

That’s right! Our favorite Beauty CPA is back on the podcast today to help you crunch the numbers this tax season. Kenesha Coleman is an award-winning CPA and IRS Enrolled Agent who specializes in helping ambitious and driven Beauty Entrepreneurs save money by optimizing their tax and financial lives. Kenesha has been a long-time friend of the show and I’m so grateful to have her back on to be our “safe place” where we as estheticians and small business owners can go to ensure we’re maximizing ...

Just starting your sugaring business and need a little support? Maybe a website? Or how about some insurance to CYA just in case? Never fear, ASCP is here! If you’ve been around here for a while, I’m sure you’ve heard of ASCP and our long-time friendship. But for all you newbies out there, Maggie Staszcuk is here to grab your hand and walk you through it. Maggie is the Education Program Manager for ASCP and AHP, and she is the co-host of ASCP's Esty Talk. Maggie has been a licensed esthetician ...

Have you wanted to make the sweet switch to sugar but are afraid of sticking out in your local waxing community like a sugar-coated sore thumb? You’re in good company! Elena Daase was in the same boat when she first created SugarSMAC®, and all she needed to make this dream a reality was some from her brother-in-law Jason. Jason Daase became involved with SugarSMAC® after catching the vision from Elena of what a world-class Sugaring company could be. Prior to his involvement in SugarSMAC, Jason ...

Let’s get real here - when was the last time you took a really good look at your operating procedures or the way you do business in your business? Never fear, Maxine Drake is here to help you level up your business in 2023! Maxine helps estheticians build, grow, and scale their businesses through Elite VIP Coaching, the Empowered Mastermind, and the Esthetician Inner Circle Membership™. She is a contributing author in The Estheticians Guide To Outstanding Esthetics and has written articles for ...

The weather outside is frightful, and all that bundling up makes it all too easy for clients to say “I’ll just let it grow out..” and that can mean more $$$ in your pocket! Continuing last week’s theme of planning ahead, today we’re zeroing in on Q1 (also known as the first 3 months of the year) and really getting clear on what you should be doing both in the shop and online so you can get a head start on those 2023 goals. So grab a pen and paper because you’re going to want to be taking notes ...

Happy 2023 Sugar Babes! With a new year comes new goals, dreams, and resolutions. And if you don’t lay the proper foundation now, you’ll be fighting an uphill battle later in the year. It doesn't matter if you’re listening in January or June, it’s time to grab a pen, break out that new planner, and break down your 2023 resolutions so you can “eat the elephant one bite at a time”. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: What 3 essential things you may be overlooking in your workday. ...

I really, really love bringing on guests for the Sweet Success™️ series that will maybe show you a different way to think about success, and today Angie Patterson is here to shine a spotlight on her own brand of success. Angie went from front desk to call center manager to IT manager to HR/Operations manager of three locations in 6 years - needless to say she wore A LOT of hats! But she truly found her calling when the sugar gods came knocking and since then has hyper-focused her business to be...

With the holidays coming at us like a freight train not only is it our busiest time of year, but our clients’ as well. And sometimes those conversations in the treatment room can have you double checking to make sure your certification says “licensed esthetician” not “licensed therapist” As beauty professionals, we’re often the definition of “self-care” for our clients, but it’s far to easy for us to forget to take care of ourselves. This problem is so much bigger than just a season, which is ...

As we enter into December and the holiday season is in full swing, I am really excited to bring you more tools to bring you new ways to think about your business without just churning and burning sugar. That’s why I invited my friend Julie Gohring - a heart-centered sales mentor for women entrepreneurs who teaches women how to sell from their heart and own the value of who they already are in sales & business. Julie really teaches women how to sell from their heart and own the value of who the...

With the holidays swiftly approaching, a simple sugaring appointment can become just another stressful task on an endless “to-do” list. That’s why this week we’re throwing it back to 2020 when I sat down with Gaynor Farmer-Katics of Enhanced Touch Massage. In this special throwback episode, Gaynor lends her expertise and guides us through ideas to help us create a relaxing environment for our clients. An experience that will take our client's stresses away, even just for a moment, so they can en...

As the year comes to a close and the end of Q4 is right around the corner, my loyal sugar babes will know it’s time to check in with my good friend Kenesha "The Beauty CPA" Coleman Kanesha owns her own virtual accounting firm with traditional accounting firm values bringing innovative and modern practices to tax compliance. A former Revenue Agent for the IRS, she brings this expertise to you to maximize your tax savings and streamline your accounting. I’m so beyond grateful to have Kenesha he...