This past weekend, salon and spa professionals from across the country gathered in San Antonio for the Team-Based Pay Experience (TBPX24) — a two-day deep dive into the strategies and systems that help beauty businesses thrive. 

The event brought together owners, teams, and industry experts to share actionable insights and transformative ideas for growing profitable, sustainable companies. 

From powerful keynote sessions to hands-on workshops and networking, the conference was designed to inspire attendees to lead with confidence, cultivate stronger teams, and think limitless.

Here are some of the key takeaways that left a lasting impression:

1. Motivation Comes From Within 

We explored how true motivation isn’t just about external rewards like money or prizes. It's created by the environment leaders build with the 5 C’s—Connection, Clarity, Collaboration, Consistency, and Celebration. When leaders provide safety, belonging, and purpose, motivation thrives.

2. Optimizing Your Social Media Workflow  

Knowing your ideal client is the key to creating content that resonates. We gave attendees a content pillar method and tracking template, helping them stay on course and see immediate results.

3. Building a High-Functioning Culture  

Culture is the lifeblood of any thriving business. Through better communication and collaboration, teams can develop a culture that elevates every aspect of their work and results in stronger teams and happier clients.

4. Bespoke Client Experiences  

A focus on delivering more than expected and personalizing client interactions drives higher engagement, trust, and innovation within teams. This approach revitalizes a business, making it stand out in the market.

5. Personal Awareness and Leadership  

We learned that understanding how you’re perceived by others is crucial. Leaders who grasp their impact on those around them can better build strong relationships and lead with purpose.

6. Networking and Creating Connections  

Beyond the event, we fostered a space for salon and spa professionals to build lasting connections. Attendees left with new relationships and a ‘little black book’ of contacts to help them level up their business in the future.

7. Cash-Flow Plan: The Path to Limitless Growth  

We demystified the Cash-Flow Plan (CFP), showing how it’s about more than just numbers. It’s about living the systems and behaviors that ensure predictable growth, from managing expenses to hitting sales projections.

8. Kristin Stutz’s Inspiring Story  

One of the most moving moments of the event came when Kristin Stutz, a salon owner who overcame stage 4 cancer, shared her journey. Her story of survival and triumph over life’s challenges was a powerful reminder of resilience and determination. Kristin’s message of financial clarity and living with purpose deeply resonated with attendees, inspiring them to overcome their own obstacles.

9. Panel of Salon Owners: Living Limitless in Real Life 

We heard from a panel of salon owners who have faced business storms and come out stronger on the other side. Their stories were a testament to “doing hard well” and embracing the challenges that come with growth. These owners are living proof that thinking limitless and staying resilient can take your business to the next level.

10. FUNancial Fitness 

The Balance Sheet isn’t scary—it’s a vital tool for monitoring a company’s health. Understanding how to create a healthy Balance Sheet gives owners the power to weather any storm and keep their businesses on a path to growth.

11. Confrontation Management  

We emphasized the importance of body language and tone in communication, especially in difficult conversations. Avoiding over-reliance on digital messages helps prevent misunderstandings and builds stronger relationships within teams.

12. Focusing on Strengths  

Rather than always trying to improve weaknesses, we encouraged attendees to lean into their strengths. This creates a more engaged and effective workforce and allows individuals to bring their best selves to the table.

13. Huddles and One-on-Ones  

Meaningful conversations and better questions during huddles and one-on-ones drive success. We focused on how asking the right questions leads to improved actions and results for both teams and clients.

14. Wellness at Work  

Taking care of ourselves is essential to providing the best service. We stressed how our thoughts and practices, including meditation, impact overall wellness and how it’s vital to lead from a place of joy and gratitude.

15. How Can I Help? Growing the Hands, Head, and Heart

Empowering team members to develop personally while driving business growth is key. We discussed how growth can happen in different areas—the hands (skills), the head (strategy), and the heart (culture). By shifting from overwhelming to-do lists to strategic mind maps, attendees learned how to break large goals into actionable steps that drive real progress. This approach gives leaders the tools to empower their teams to step into greatness.

16. We Announced Big News: Strategies' New Ownership

During the event, we announced the sale of Strategies to beloved industry veterans and Certified Strategies Coaches, Barbara and Brett Pierce. Their leadership marks an exciting new chapter for Strategies, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to see the future unfold. You can check out the official statement from Strategies founder, Neil Ducoff, here: A New Era for Strategies

A special shoutout to our awesome sponsors/presenters who shared their valuable insights:

• Kopsa Otte - Accounting & Consulting Services

• Phorest - Salon Management & Scheduling System
• Tippy - Tipping solutions
• Vish - Hair Color Management Software
• Meevo - Salon/Spa/Medspa Management Software
• Kristin Stutz - Financial Advisor, Illume

Final Thoughts: Thinking Limitless  

The only thing holding us back is our belief in what’s possible. When we allow ourselves to think beyond our current limits, growth becomes inevitable. It’s time to get out of our own way and think Limitless.

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who attended TBPX24 and made it such a special event. We left feeling energized, and we hope you did too! We can’t wait to see how you apply these insights to grow your businesses and teams. Stay tuned for more great events and learning opportunities to come!

What's coming up next? Check out our upcoming salon/spa business education below:

Strategies Education Calendar 2024/25