Adam Torres and Ryann Halo discuss Halo Consulting & Education.
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Show Notes:
How Salon Halo Salons is empowering and equipping their team members. In this episode, Adam Torres and Ryann Halo, Founder of CEO of Salon Halo Salons and Halo Consulting & Education, explore Ryann’s journey as an entrepreneur and her Grow and Glow methodology.
About Ryann Halo
Ryann Halo is a multi-7-figure entrepreneur & the founder of Halo Consulting, a leading growth strategy firm for small businesses.
Over her 18+ year career, she has founded, advised, & grown multiple companies from startup to scale. Her first company, Salon Halo, went from existing business takeover, struggling to make payroll, to a multi-site, multi-million-dollar business receiving numerous awards from Salon Today & is consistently recognized as a top 200 salon in North America.
As a thought leader in her industry & certified John Maxwell leadership coach, Ryann speaks nationally at industry events & conferences to hundreds of professionals. Her insights are featured in major industry publications such as Beauty Launchpad Magazine & Salon Today Magazine to name a couple. In addition, her entrepreneurial achievements have led to The Know Women recognizing her as one of the “Top 100 Women to Know in the US” and Tampa Bay Business & Wealth recognizing her as a finalist for the “Tampa Bay Business Women of the Year” award in 2023.
In addition to her entrepreneurial pursuits, Ryann is deeply committed to giving back & providing support to the less fortunate – especially considering her past. She actively supports community organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Makeovers for Survivors, Boys & Girls Club, Humane Society, & domestic abuse shelters. Through Salon Halo, she offers free back-to-school haircuts for kids, along with an angel tree toy drive for the holidays.
About Salon Halo
At Salon Halo, they focus on enhancing your natural beauty with personalized hair care. Their skilled stylists use the latest techniques to bring your hair dreams to life.
Located in the heart of Tampa Bay, Salon Halo offers a boutique salon experience that goes beyond the ordinary. Their salons in South Tampa, Carrollwood, and Spring Hill provide tailored hair services that reflect your unique style. They specialize in custom cuts, colors, and treatments designed just for you.
About Halo Consulting
They help successful female business owners empower their team to achieve sustainable growth & personal freedom. Specializing in business growth through teams providing a service. Key industries include: Med Spa & Wellness, Hair Salons, Bar/Restaurant, Boutique & more
Full Unedited Transcript
My name is Adam Torres, and if you’d like to apply to be a guest on the show, just head on over to missionmatters. com and click on Be Our Guest to Apply. All right, so today’s guest is Ryan Halo, and she is the founder and CEO over at Salon Halo salons and halo consulting and education.
And we got a lot to talk about today, so we’re going to get into the grow and glow methodology. I understand Ryan has a mastermind coming up and of course I want to get into her entrepreneurial journey , and the salons and the success there. But just to get started Ryan, welcome to the show.
So good to have you here. Thank you. Thank you. Happy to be here. All right. So I understand that you were referred over to us by Juliana Strout over at the SRQ Women’s Expo. And we’ve been covering that expo, which is coming up and we’re excited about it. I got to ask, are you ready? I know you’re a speaker and you’re going to be, you’re going to be presenting like, are you ready?
Are you pumped? Oh yeah. I’m always ready. Okay. Yeah, , so tell me more, , what are you gonna be talking about? Give us a little bit of a flavor for the content and what you have coming up. Yeah. So I have a kind of a extensive, unique path to where I am today.
Where I’m focusing my time now is using my experience in growing multiple businesses to seven figures with a team to help primarily female entrepreneurs. Scale their businesses with their team so that they can have more personal freedom. That’s great. A little bit. Yeah, that’s great. Love to bring on a mission based individuals who have had, you know, some success in their, in their past and want to pay it forward and to teach others as well.
So I guess just to get this kicked off, Ryan how did you get started as an entrepreneur? Like, where did all that start for you? Well, so today I have among, I think between me and my husband, we have nine companies. My most notable. So you’re not, so you’re not busy at all, right?
Go ahead. I threw that here and there. Yeah. So like, what even, you know, what else am I doing with my time? So I my most notable company where I really learned. The grow and glow method and cultivated that is salon halo. One of the top 200 salons in North America, we have a very strong team retention between our three locations.
And we’re multiple seven figures. So with that said, most people that know me now think I probably always wanted to do that. I always knew I wanted to have salons and that is absolutely not the case. So growing up, I Really was made to believe that my path to success could only lie in going to college and the best college possible.
I come from a lower middle income family, but my mom was a really hard worker and she went to nursing school when I was a kid and I was the only kid in third grade that was getting bussed over to a different school for the gifted program. So that’s where I got that perspective that like you’re gifted, you’re academically talented, and that’s.
That’s how you become a success. And that was what I accepted as reality. And then fast forward some years 11 years old, my life really changed for everybody when my dad committed suicide and also took the life of my six year old brother. So that that was the big turning point from, you have a stable conventional family and to everything changes.
My mom actually developed a prescription drug addiction and that led to me dropping out of school at 15. So thinking, Very like believing that college was the only choice for me. And that, that was the only path to my success, to having that being taken away with no real control over it led to, it was definitely the most dark and hopeless time that I’ve ever experienced because I didn’t see a light at the end of the tunnel.
I didn’t see a next step or the path. And with that was definitely on the verge of some very, there was a lot of opiates in my town at that time. There were I was just kind of in the wind and it could have went a lot of different directions, but I was holding out this hope for something like I was really resisting, you know, trying the drugs doing the thing.
It was I was right on teetering on that edge, you know, I was like, what was the point of not doing it? It was very pivotal time. So this woman came in, actually came by somebody’s house that I was at, and she was a hairdresser. And my aunt, I had shampooed for my aunt growing up. from like 12 years old. So I never looked at the beauty industry as a path to professional career success.
But this woman offered me 25 a day to be her assistant. So with that, I jumped on the opportunity being that I, that was 25 cheeseburgers. Like that was, that was something to do with my days. That was all the darkness, purpose, purpose, having to kind of Fight off on a daily basis. And with that I quickly discovered the value of customer service of how really it’s how you apply yourself and not just a one size fits all possibility in a given industry.
So before you know it, the owners. Offering me 50 a day when I’m not working for my mentor. And then I’m making tips on tips on tips from just upgrading people to different treatments and running to the store by foot. Cause I didn’t have a license or car for them other employees. And I just was hustling and yeah, that’s, that’s where it just multiplied.
And I immediately realized that I felt good by providing. a great experience and value for other people. But that was reflected in the amount of money that I was making. And at one point I was making 100 a day in the small town as a 15, 16 year old dropout. And I also learned that hair was not just something to like No, it’s not like playing dress up there.
There’s chemistry, science, geometry, systemization. So all of it, it was all about how you approached it. So I had seen a very different side of the industry and, and that could, that was really just the tip of the iceberg about what could be accomplished through that. What an amazing story. And I’m so curious in the beginning when you’re, so you’re kind of hooked in, of course, this is a, this is really a lifeline.
I I’m using that word. You did not but to like another path or it’s just, you’re pulled to it. Did, did you get. And maybe it’s one versus the other. Was it the business side? Was it the, like the beauty side, a combination, the whole thing? Like, like where was the, like, how did it keep you hooked and keep you entertained and just keep you in the game?
Like how’d that happen? Like what excited you the most at that time? I think that it was the multiple. areas that were stimulating to me. It was well rounded being somebody that did fairly well in school with the logical side of my brain, but also being a singer and a painter and loving art and loving people.
It just hit all those. So you had both sides. This was like the perfect storm for you. Yeah, that’s amazing. That’s really what it was and and being so I could use my logic and I caught on really quickly to some of the More technical aspects, but then it was artistic and and personable. So that was fun, too And then on top of that I was making money and it felt really good to see a quantifiable result for my efforts and my talent So once I realized that It was scientific, and I was good at it.
I just, I was in everybody’s hair. Like, I would be at parties, like everybody, , high school parties, drinking and stuff, and like, doing people’s hair in foils in a kitchen, and like, sending them to showers to wash their hair. That was my start. That was my whole beginning. Wow. That’s, that’s absolutely amazing.
And so what was your next step? if I can paint a picture you’re okay. So now you’re in the business, you’re getting your feet wet, , you’re making money, , you’re doing it on a certain level, I’ll say, and , you’re, you know, you’re still young. What was your next step?
Like, when did you feel, was there a turning point? Was it a progression? Like, when did you say, you know what? This is going to be something I spend a significant amount of my life on. And and I want to build a business, business out of this. Like, when did that happen? If I’m honest, if I really think about the past, there was a little bit of resistance it got comfortable really quick.
I was just in a nice flow with this, this mentor. We were doing that for, I don’t even know, time is flying. You know, so yeah, hard to say it was maybe a while ago and we were doing really well and there was some hinting at going to hair school, but I was still conflicted with like, oh, no, am I going to be settling?
Am I going to be taking the most of this potential? I was told I had. And it’s always been just. Deeply ingrained in me that I wanted to make the most out of my life. Like I, I don’t really know what that looks like, but as my awareness grew, I still knew I wanted to make the most of it. So I would, I was fighting that a little bit, but what really.
Pushed me to take that turn at the time, I had gotten accused of stealing, like, clips and tapes and the silliest things, honestly, and it was really hurtful at the time because I was just so happy and so grateful and I looked up to the owner, the old man, and his daughter. daughter who ran the salon and and then it was the service providers, you know, the employees.
And I was just so grateful for that opportunity and making such good money when when I got accused, I was like, really upset. And that was the step that pushed me to go to hair school. So I have to say, I probably, who knows how much longer I would have stayed in my small town being an assistant and just like having fun or whatever I was doing.
So I went to school and I signed up for school at 16 because that was like the push. Okay, now you’ve got to make another twist. So all these times, all these different, I have these crossroads I can clearly now distinguish that pushed me to this other path, this next step, next step. And I do believe it’s God or what, whatever the higher entity that you believe in that was presenting to me something bigger.
Then what I could imagine at that time. So bigger, my life is better than if I was a lawyer. My life is better than if I was I have like five instances of that. Yeah. Yeah. So I went to hair school at 16. I was going to say, and I still had multiple pivots where I didn’t even want to own a salon at that point.
I was the youngest person in the school and I was like, I want to be a freelance artist, so continued to pivot as it came. It’s interesting how these paths works and you know what God has in store for us and how we play our part I want to jump around a bit here. So so present day and thank you for sharing that story and thank you for sharing I think it’s super inspiring for for myself for one and then hopefully for our audience that are on their own paths Right, like the ups the downs everything in between I can tell you I didn’t go to school to be a podcaster I didn’t think this was going to be part of my future I love it.
Like that’s in hindsight though and all these crossroads and things so it’s part of the journey I just Like to bring that out. Just if somebody’s listening to this and they’re at their own crossroads to just let you know, Hey, we’re we all go through it. So it, it is , so you’ll, you’ll be okay. Jumping around a bit here, Ryan.
So salon Halo Salons. So now you’ve. You know, as you mentioned intro multiple, seven figure business, and I know one of the things that you’re passionate about is equipping and empowering others and your team members at all your salon locations, like go into that a bit, how are you doing that?
Well, when I started, when I got the salon it was kind of plopped in my lap, that was one of the crossroads of you can have the salon or not. And I, I, at this point it was my 21st birthday. So I had some time as a freelance artist. I was really making my way in that fun glitzy glammy world. And then I had the opportunity to start this along.
I did not know what I didn’t know. I didn’t realize how poorly my communication skills had been developed growing up, like there were so many things that I didn’t possess as a leader. So I had to throw myself into figuring out. Over the first, however many years, what it’s going to take to build this vision, like the vision was to have team members, employees, a happy community, not your traditional salon not the ego driven situation and a place where people felt accepted.
So I did a lot of study on From different leadership experts like John Maxwell and just a lot of so many people and I learned that it is not about the fact that it isn’t my name on the building with being the most , sought after hairstylist, the best, the most knowledgeable. This vision is meant to show me how to empower people to reach their success.
And, and you have to make a huge shift from being the top service provider to being a leader. There’s, there’s huge shifts involved in making that change and it’s not for everybody. And it, that’s okay. But I knew that I was very fulfilled when I saw my team members reaching a goal or when we as a collective, we’re creating something really Astonishing.
And that’s, , where I realized , that’s what it takes. So, I mean, there’s a lot of steps in my methodology now of how we’ve been able to achieve those best results. But one key point I’ll, I’ll say is establishing with each individual team member, What their own definition of success is for themselves.
Mm-Hmm. . So, some people, it’s like they wanna make the most money possible and they don’t mind how hard they have to hustle and they’re ready for all the tools to get there. Other people, it’s, I want to be able to have what it takes to wean down my schedule to work the minimum amount of time, to just make enough to get by in a, in a comfortable place and send most time again to my family.
So , you have to know what’s important to ’em before anything. Mm hmm. Yeah. Go further into the grow and glow methodology , I’m highly interested in, especially now that we have a bit of your backstory, like go a little bit further, please tell us some more. Yeah. So for me, I mentioned how I’ve self studied a ton of leadership, personal development.
I recognize that I had some serious gaps in my ability To do what I needed to do and started to invest in myself through many different resources so I could fill in those gaps and elevate my strengths. And that is a huge part of our method. And it’s not just one thing. So there’s been times where me and the organization had to really focus on understanding who we are as people with personality assessments then transitioning into communication exercises and math methods to achieve a higher level of communication standards for a diverse team of people.
There’s been times where we’ve. Focused heavily on what our key performance indicators are and should be, and then creating the systems that support those outcomes, key performance indicators, and there’s methodology around how to best train a team on those systems and KPIs to where you’re not just delegating.
Oh, you’re in charge of this task. It’s much deeper. I have a method called the store method, so it shows how observed, Okay. Redirect and encourage. So if I’m going to teach somebody, whether it’s a technical skill set, like a haircut or how to do something at the front desk, I’m going to show them, I’m going to tell them, I’m going to watch them do it.
I’m going to redirect where necessary, and I’m going to encourage where they’re doing well. So it’s so holistic for me, how we approach our success. The, the grow and glow method starts with the vision phase. Okay. Like, getting clarity. Do we have a clear mission statement, core values, key roles, are all the job descriptions on paper, like, these are things that a lot of service providing businesses overlook, and it’s because so many of us start a business because we do the service well.
But that doesn’t get, that doesn’t grow a successful business. That grows a successful individual, maybe, in that craft. So, man, I could talk about this stuff for hours. Well, Ryan, I will say, I know we barely scratched the surface here, and I know you So much more to offer. But that being said, we appreciate you coming on the show and sharing your story.
I want you to tell our audience where people can follow up. They can learn more, follow your journey, learn more. Also. I understand you have a a mastermind coming up. Like how do people get information on that? Like, like give us some, give us some follow up for the audience so that they can connect in and continue the conversation.
Yes. I’d love to see everybody on the mastermind. Starts August 1st, 2024. We got about a month from now, depending on when this post, this will be out in the next five business days. So they’re going to have plenty of time. Go ahead. So my my main platform that I’m actually active on that you’ll get me directly as Instagram and I’m Ryan underscore.
Halo. But you’re welcome to find all of my resources on my website, and it’s just Ryan Halo, and Ryan is spelled R Y A N N. So it’s just Ryan like a boy’s name, but with an extra N, and then Halo like an angel. Amazing. Halo like an angel and that’s a great way to end it. And I, we appreciate all that you’re doing Ryan and equip, empower your team and to be a model of really motivation and an entrepreneur out there, a successful entrepreneur.
For my audience, everybody tuning in, I we’ll put all the links to Ryan’s social and all the other good Stuff and the website and the show notes. So you can just click on the links and head right on over. And speaking of the audience, if this is your first time with mission matters, this is a daily show.
That means each and every day we’re releasing new episodes. We’re bringing on new entrepreneurs, new thought leaders, and hopefully giving you new ideas to inspire you along the way on your journey as well. So I have a lot of fun. I’m doing this. If you had fun listening, then definitely hit that subscribe or that follow button.
Cause I want you to get that notification tomorrow. Cause guess what’s coming up tomorrow. Another episode, another entrepreneur. We don’t want you to miss that. So again, subscribe or follow. And Ryan, and thank you so much for coming on and sharing your story, truly inspiring. very fun. Thank you for having me.
