Every successful salon, spa, or medspa owner eventually realizes that growth isn’t a guessing game—it’s a data game.
In this episode of It’s A Profitable Life, Ronit Enos and Nicole Baldwin sit down with Tim Howard, Chief Innovation Officer and Founder of Vish, and Joe Difalco, VP of Strategic Relationships at Phorest, to uncover how the smartest salons are scaling profit through technology, transparency, and teamwork.
This conversation is a masterclass in leadership, systems, and the mindset shifts that turn chaos into clarity.
In This Episode
0:00 – Profit starts with clarity: how data turns confusion into control
1:06 – Meet Vish and Phorest: redefining how salons measure success
2:03 – How a stylist turned tech innovator built Vish to stop color waste
3:53 – Why partnerships—not solo efforts—drive sustainable profit
7:26 – Collaboration that works: what makes Vish and Phorest’s partnership different
10:13 – How system integration can grow color revenue by 20%
16:47 – Inside Phorest’s culture: why authenticity and heart build better technology
20:28 – How data turns waste into wealth and restores profit margins
27:24 – Real-time pricing: giving stylists and clients transparency and fairness
31:07 – The rise of automation and AI in salons: what it means for your front desk
33:49 – Building stronger teams with retention, communication, and real-time insights
38:12 – The story of resilience: how Vish almost failed and came back stronger
44:09 – Bootstrapping through chaos: the lessons that built endurance
48:32 – Mentorship, leadership, and the mindset of rebuilding
50:22 – “It’s harder going bankrupt.” Why persistence is the real competitive edge
55:10 – Final reflections: leadership, partnerships, and what’s next for the industry
About the Guests
Tim Howard is the Chief Innovation Officer and Founder of Vish, the leading color management system built to eliminate waste, increase profitability, and help salon owners charge accurately for every service. With decades behind the chair, Tim created Vish to bring clarity and consistency to the art of business in beauty.
Joe Difalco is the Vice President of Strategic Relationships at Phorest, a global salon software company that empowers owners with the data and systems they need to grow. With deep industry roots, Joe’s focus is helping salons use technology and transparency to lead more effectively and profit more consistently.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Vish – The color management system that turns waste into profit. Track, charge, and scale smarter at getvish.com
Phorest – The all-in-one salon software built to grow your business with clarity, culture, and automation. Learn more at phorest.com
MySalonBooks – Real-time salon bookkeeping powered by Profit First. Visit mysalonbooks.com
Salon Cadence – The global advisory network for salon and medspa CEOs ready to scale with systems, profit, and freedom. Learn more at saloncadence.com
Subscribe for More Episodes
If you’re ready to build a salon or medspa that creates profit, purpose, and freedom—subscribe to It’s A Profitable Life on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.
New episodes weekly with real stories, proven strategies, and conversations that redefine what success looks like in the beauty and wellness industry.
