Episode 7: Her Salon Hit $1M+ While On Maternity Leave
What happens when you fire your top producer making $15-20K/month while chasing a million-dollar goal?
In this raw and inspiring conversation, Em Buckley shares how she grew Willow Salon from a chaotic one-woman show into a seven-figure business with a leadership team so strong, she took a 10-week maternity leave and only got called ONCE.
Em reveals the gutsy decision to let go of her highest-earning stylist in April, then watched her salon not just survive, but MORE THAN DOUBLE revenue in just four months. She hired 9 new stylists in 5 months (adding $65K in revenue), transitioned from rental to commission without losing a single team member, and built systems so bulletproof that her sister trained herself for the most important position in the salon.
If you've ever wondered how to build a salon that runs without you, gives you work-life balance, AND crushes revenue goals, this episode is your blueprint.
HERE ARE 5 MAIN TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:
Takeaway #1: Systems Are What Give Owners Real Freedom
Three years ago, Em was running a successful salon, but it felt chaotic because everything depended on her. She was behind the chair four days a week and juggling countless responsibilities without clear systems in place. Once she began documenting processes and creating structure, the entire business became easier to run. Those systems allowed her leadership team to step up and manage daily operations. In fact, during her 10-week maternity leave, the salon only needed to call her once.
Takeaway #2: Leaders Are Developed, Not Just Hired
Em’s leadership team didn’t start out as managers. Most of them were stylists or even former guests who gradually grew into leadership roles over time. Instead of assigning titles immediately, she slowly added responsibilities and watched how each person handled them. As they proved capable, their roles and compensation expanded. This approach created leaders who truly understood the salon and the team. The result is a group of people who can confidently make decisions without relying on the owner for every step.
Takeaway #3: Hard Leadership Decisions Can Unlock Growth
One of the boldest moments in Em’s journey came when she let go of her top-producing stylist, who was generating around $15,000–$20,000 per month. It was a difficult decision, especially while working toward a million-dollar revenue goal. At first, the salon experienced a dip in sales, which is common after losing a high performer. But within just a few months, the team rebounded stronger than before. Revenue more than doubled and the business continued growing.
Takeaway #4: Hire for Heart, Train the Skill
When Em hires stylists, technical ability isn’t her top priority. She focuses on personality, kindness, and whether someone aligns with the salon’s culture. Her philosophy is simple: you can teach hair techniques, but you can’t teach someone to care about people. Because of this approach, many stylists who started with small books have grown into high-performing team members. Some have reached six-figure income levels within their first year or two at the salon. The right character often matters more than the right résumé.
Takeaway #5: Success Means Something Different in Every Season
When Em first opened her salon at 21, success meant building a huge business with multiple locations and impressive revenue. Later, her focus shifted to hitting the million-dollar milestone. But after becoming a mother, her definition of success changed again. Now, success is about having the freedom to spend time with her family while the salon continues to thrive. The systems and leadership she built didn’t just grow the business—they created a life with more balance. And for many owners, that’s the real goal in the long run.
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