In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia and guest Jodie Brown break down what it actually looks like to hire support staff in your beauty business, why most stylists do it wrong, and how to make sure you get a real return on the investment. If you are a six-figure stylist who is maxed out, stuck doing everything yourself, and wondering if bringing someone on is the right move, this episode is for you.
Hunter walks through the full hiring process from identifying the gap in your business that actually needs to be filled, to defining the role, finding candidates, and running a paid test project that tells you everything you need to know before you commit. He also introduces a framework for understanding the two types of hires and why knowing the difference before you post a single job listing will save you a significant amount of time, money, and frustration.
Key Takeaways:
🔍 Know your gap before you hire anyone: Hunter outlines three types of gaps that signal it might be time to bring someone on: a volume gap where you could grow more if you just did more of what is already working, a low-leverage task gap where your time is being eaten up by maintenance work instead of growth, and a skill set gap where someone else will simply always do it better than you. Identifying which one you have changes everything about who you hire and why.
⚙️ Systematize before you outsource: Before spending money on a human, Hunter makes the case for automating and streamlining the task first. A bad system handed to a contractor is just an expensive bad system. Getting clear on your processes before hiring protects your investment and sets whoever you bring on up to actually succeed.
👥 There are two types of hires and you need to know which one you need: Hunter breaks down the difference between an initiative hire, someone with more experience than you who brings ideas and is held accountable to growth, and a linear hire, someone who follows a strong system and gets you time back. Both are valid. Hiring the wrong type for the wrong role is where most stylists lose money.
🧪 The test project is your most important filter: Hunter is direct about this one. The test project represents the most effort and the best work you will ever see from a candidate. If you are not genuinely impressed by it, do not move forward. Hiring out of desperation or settling because a candidate was the best of a weak pool is a mistake that will cost you.
🎯 Get intentional about what you will do with the time back: Hiring someone to take low-leverage tasks off your plate only pays off if you are clear about what you are going to do with that time. Whether you reinvest it into growing the business or use it to actually rest and live your life, both are valid choices. But going in without a plan means the investment is unlikely to feel worth it.
Why You Should Listen: If you have been putting off hiring because it feels overwhelming, expensive, or risky, this episode gives you a clear and honest framework for doing it the right way. You will walk away knowing exactly what to look for, what to avoid, and how to make a hire that actually moves your business forward instead of adding more stress to your plate.
