Beauty Industry Leaders
Welcome to the no-BS podcast for beauty entrepreneurs who are here to lead.
This is for the ones raising the standards - not just in their own business, but for the entire industry.
Not for hobbyists or side hustlers. This is for those who are all in.
Each episode brings together raw, unfiltered conversations with beauty business owners - from service providers and product creators to educators and consultants, plus guest experts who are leading in their field. You’ll hear the real stories behind their success, the mistakes they’ve made, and the lessons that helped them evolve.
Hosted by Sammy Kennedy, a 7-figure entrepreneur, business strategist, and multi-industry disrupter - the Beauty Industry Leaders podcast, a show where legacy and leadership collide to spark industry evolution. With 17 years of hands-on experience in small business (across 8 family-run ventures and 3 of her own), Sammy delivers a fresh, strategic lens on what it actually takes to grow a profitable, scalable, and values-driven business in today’s competitive landscape.
In each weekly episode, you’ll hear real, raw conversations with small business owners, CEOs and guest experts covering everything from:
🔥 Mindset, Imposter Syndrome and your CEO Identity
🔥 Profitable Pricing & Cashflow Clarity
🔥 Leadership, Culture and Team Performance
🔥 Brand Positioning & Social Impact
🔥 Marketing Strategy That Converts
🔥 Sales & Client Conversion
🔥 Client Experience & Retention Strategies
🔥 Smart Systems & Business Efficiency
We shine a light on the silent achievers behind the scenes, the rising stars who are building with purpose, and the leaders at the top redefining what success looks like in the ever-changing beauty industry.
It’s a space to celebrate those doing incredible work behind the scenes, spotlight those who are shaping the future of our industry, and share practical, powerful insights that move us all forward.
Whether you’re leading the way or just finding your stride, you’ll feel at home here.
This podcast pays it forward - for the betterment of you, your business, and the beauty industry as a whole.
Subscribe to the podcast now so you don’t miss a moment and get ahead of the rest of the pack in this competitive industry.
Connect with Sammy and Join the Beauty Industry Leaders movement
https://www.instagram.com/sammykennedycoach/
https://www.instagram.com/beautyindustryleaders/
Episodes
98 episodes
He's Raised $60 Million and Says Most Beauty Businesses Are Marketing Wrong — Here's Why
He's raised over $60 million in capital, built an agency from scratch over 20 years, and his brand strategy breakdowns have been seen by hundreds of thousands of people online.But when Sammy asked Es Chandra what advice he'd give his you...
A $50K Loan, a Surprise Pregnancy & the Fitout From Hell — How Isla Grace Built Her Empire Anyway
Her first employee was ready to leave the day after she went on maternity leave.She was 38 weeks pregnant.The stress was so severe her doctor induced her early.And that was just the beginning.In this episode, Samm...
The Story I Tried to Hide Built the Life I Have Today
I don't talk about this much. And honestly, I'm embarrassed by most of it.But when I was interviewed for a book about my family, I was asked about my high school years — and I realized just how much I've been avoiding.The r...
No Room for Failure: Maria Enna-Cocciolone’s Rise to Building 3x Multi-Million Dollar Brands
She put $600,000 of her family's savings into a skincare brand at 42 years old. Her husband said the budget wouldn't stretch to 13 products. Her response? "Then the budget is wrong. Fix it."Three weeks after winning the ABIA Hall of Fam...
How To Develop An Offer That People Will Buy
Most beauty professionals don’t have an offer problem… they have a clarity problem.In this episode, I’m breaking down one of the biggest mistakes I see when service providers step into education, coaching, or courses, trying to teach
The Craziest 72 Hours of My Life (And the Business Lessons I Took From It)
The past 72 hours were some of the craziest I’ve had in both life and business.What started with speaking on an International Women’s Day panel in Perth quickly turned into a last-minute trip to Sydney for BitchCon… all sparked by a coac...
The Power of Personal Brand with Brooke Vulinovich
Brooke Vulinovich joined me back in the Beauty Industry Leaders Podcast studio and this conversation felt extra special. Brooke has been a mentor and supporter through some of the most challenging seasons in my business, including a time...
The Hidden Tax of Self-Doubt in Business
After returning from our Beauty Industry Leaders retreat in Vietnam, I found myself reflecting on something I know so many women in business quietly carry: self-doubt.Even after receiving incredible feedback and seeing the impact the ret...
Grief, Grit and Growing a Global Brand with AMPERNA®
I’m recording the very first episode inside our new Beauty Industry Leaders Podcast studio, and I’m joined by husband-and-wife founders Kiri and Wesley of AMPERNA® - the topical postbiotic, microbiome-friendly skincare brand created for sensiti...
The Three Traits Every Sustainable Business Has
I’m breaking down what actually makes a business sustainable long term and why popularity or fast growth isn’t enough.Drawing from my experience across multiple family ventures, from bowling alleys and arcades to festivals and Wild West ...
The Rooms You Sit In Shape the Life You Build
In today’s episode, I’m sharing a personal reflection on how the rooms you sit in shape the life and business you build.At 19, during Miss Universe, I was navigating a cancelled university degree, a scoliosis diagnosis, and the physical ...
The One Mistake Most Business Owners Make When They Want to Scale
In today’s episode, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes look at a hectic week while preparing for our upcoming Beauty Industry Leaders retreat, and using it to highlight the biggest mistake most business owners make when they want to scale.I...
Things I’d Tell You If We Were Having This Conversation Over Coffee
Today I’m sharing some honest reflections - the kind of things I’d tell you if we were sitting down together over a coffee.I start with a personal update on what’s been happening behind the scenes lately, from juggling projects and stayi...
How to Start Investing Without Having Lots of Money
Today I’m talking about how to start investing, even if you don’t have lots of money.I’m sharing a few reflections from my stay at the 1 Hotel in Melbourne, and what stood out to me about their customer experience and sustainable approac...
Marketing Series Part 6: How to Structure Any Piece of Content for Impact and Conversion
Today we’re wrapping up the Marketing Series with Part 6 - and this episode brings everything together. I’m breaking down how to structure any piece of content so it not only lands with your audience, but actually drives action and con...
Marketing Series Part 5: Why One Post Will Never Convert (And How to Use Content Formats That Do)
Today we dive into Part 5 of the Marketing Series - and this is an important one. I’m breaking down why relying on a single post will never convert your audience, no matter how good it is, and how using multiple content formats strategically is...
How to Review 2025 Year So You Actually Change In 2026
In the first episode of 2026, I’m breaking down how to review the past year in a way that actually creates momentum for the next one. This isn’t about rewriting goals or setting unrealistic expectations - it’s about understanding what worked, w...
Marketing Series Part 4: How to Build a Content Campaign That Converts Cold Followers Into Bookings
If you’re posting consistently but still not seeing bookings, the issue usually isn’t your effort, it’s the lack of a structured campaign.In Part 4 of our Marketing Series, Elli and I move beyond revenue targets and into execution. This ...
Marketing Series Part 3: The Marketing Math You MUST DO Before Creating Any Campaign
If you’re creating marketing campaigns based on hope, intuition, or “what feels right” - you’re likely skipping the most important step: the math.In Part 3 of the Marketing Series, we shift from messaging and audience clarity into the nu...
Marketing Series Pt 2: What Your Clients Actually Want vs What You Think They Want
If you’ve ever wondered why your marketing sounds good on paper but isn’t converting - there’s a strong chance you’re marketing to who you think your clients are, not who they actually are.In Part 2 of the Marketing Series, we m...
Marketing Series Part 1: The Foundation Every Successful Brand Starts With
If you’ve ever felt like your marketing just isn’t landing - or you’re making decisions based on gut feelings rather than real data - this episode is going to completely reshape the way you approach your brand strategy.Today, I’m kicking...
The Psychology Behind Brand Imagery and Who You Attract
If you’ve ever wondered why some brands effortlessly attract high-quality clients — while others struggle to stand out - this episode is going to shift the way you think about visuals forever.Today, I’m diving into the psychology behind ...
Don’t Get Left Behind: The Real AI Tools Beauty Business Owners Need to Know About featuring AI Expert Em Gee
If AI still feels overwhelming, confusing, or “not for you,” this episode is going to completely shift the way you think about technology, creativity, and the future of your beauty business.Today, I’m sitting down with the brilliant E...
Why ‘Slow Season’ Is A Myth - And How To Avoid The Jan/Feb Booking Crash featuring Bec Barwick
If you’ve ever braced yourself for the dreaded “slow season” in Jan/Feb, this episode is going to completely shift the way you think about bookings, client behaviour, and your business strategy.Today, I’m sitting down with the incredible...
Should You Hire Staff or Rent Out Rooms? Featuring Clarissa Saco
If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s smarter to hire a team or rent out rooms in your salon, this episode is going to give you so much clarity and confidence.Today, I’m sitting down with Clarissa Saco - a cosmetic tattoo artist, m...