Be an Eileen.
- Jen Martinelli
- 3 days ago
- 11 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did,
but people will never forget how you made them feel."
🖤 From Jen: Be Someone's Eileen.
Hi BEAUTISTA Fam.
This weekend I had the opportunity to attend Redken Symposium. If you don't know, we sent two BEAUTISTA mentees to shadow Sam Villa backstage on the mentorship of a lifetime. While I was there, I also had the opportunity to speak on a panel.
The question I was asked was about culture. Specifically, how BEAUTISTA helps salon owners attract candidates who fit their culture and why collective ambition matters.
Basically... my favorite topic. Human behavior. Belonging. Culture. Leadership. I could talk about this stuff for hours. There was just one problem. I had three minutes!
Three minutes to explain something that feels so big and so important. No pressure. 😅
Here's the funny thing. No matter how many speaking engagements I do, I still get nervous. I wonder if I'm adding enough value. Will people connect with this? Will they actually walk away with something useful? Honestly, I'd rather speak for an hour. Give me time to tell stories and take people on a journey. Three minutes means every word matters. Every sentence has a job to do. So I prepared. And prepared. And prepared some more.
Then I realized something. Whenever I speak, I always look for one person in the audience.
Eileen. Eileen is an executive at SalonCentric and over the last few years, I've had the privilege of having her front and center at many of my talks. She smiles. She nods. She cheers me on like I'm saying something absolutely life changing. Somehow, she has this incredible ability to pull me out of my own head and remind me why I'm there in the first place.
I heard my name and cautiously walked onto the stage. If you've never been to Redken Symposium, picture thousands of people and a stage that suddenly feels a whole lot bigger than it looked from the audience. I sat down and immediately started scanning the crowd. Where's Eileen? I couldn't find her. The lights were too bright, there were too many people, and for a second I panicked. I finally told myself, "Just pretend she's out there. You know exactly what she'd be doing anyway." Smiling. Nodding. Cheering me on.
My question came up and I answered it. I walked off stage feeling pretty good and headed backstage to grab my phone and there it was. Texts from Eileen. "Great job!" "You nailed it!" Pictures. Videos. Cheering me on from the front row exactly like I knew she would. I don't even think Eileen realizes what she does for people.
There's actually psychology behind it. Research shows we'll often do more for other people than we'll do for ourselves. I think that's why having someone in your corner matters so much. You stop focusing on your own fear and start showing up because someone believes you can. Sometimes we borrow a little bit of their confidence until we find our own. Looking back, I've had a few Eileens in my life. People who believed in me before I fully believed in myself.
This weekend reminded me how lucky I am to have one sitting in my front row. It also reminded me that we can all be an Eileen for someone else. Cheer for the new stylist. Encourage the student. Send the text. Celebrate the little win. Take the picture. Tell someone they did a great job.
I've realized Eileen does something really special. She makes people feel like they belong in the room. And I think people do incredible things when they feel like they belong. They walk onto stages. They apply for the job. They start the business. They go back to school. They take the risk. They become a version of themselves they weren't quite sure existed.
This weekend reminded me how lucky I am to have an Eileen in my life. It also reminded me that somewhere, someone might be looking for theirs. I hope we all find an Eileen. And I hope we're brave enough to be one for somebody else. Because you never know when a smile, a text message, a picture from the front row, or simply believing in someone becomes part of their story. And maybe that's one of the greatest gifts we can give each other. A little borrowed confidence.
xoxo,
Jen Martinelli
PS. My 3 minute talk linked here > The Future of Salon Hiring: Why Great Talent Chooses You | Redken Symposium 2026
🚀 The Shift: Weekly Mindset + Strategy Upgrade.
Send the Text. Make the Call.
Tell them. Tell the teacher who made a difference. Tell the mentor. Tell the boss. Tell the friend. Tell the parent. Tell the coworker. Tell The person who gave you an opportunity. Tell the person who believed in you before you fully believed in yourself. Tell them they helped you. Tell them they made a difference.
Eileen had no idea I was scanning the audience looking for her at Redken Symposium. She probably thought she was just being supportive. She was doing so much more than that. One of my favorite ideas in human behavior is that we rarely know the impact we're having on other people. A compliment. A smile. A text. A little encouragement at exactly the right moment can become part of someone's story without us ever realizing it.
And if nobody comes to mind, be that person for someone else. Send the encouraging message. Celebrate the little win. Tell someone you're proud of them. Let them borrow a little bit of your confidence until they find their own. You never know whose story you're becoming part of.
🎙️ In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
Confidence comes from competence.
The beauty industry is becoming more educated than ever before. Clients aren't just looking for someone who can perform a service. They're looking for someone who can explain the why behind the recommendation.
This week's education lineup reinforced that idea.
💛 Redken and Matrix dove deeper into formulation science, helping professionals understand not just what to use, but why to use it.
💛 K18, Living Proof, and Keratin Complex explored the technology behind healthier hair, proving that innovation continues to shape the future of salon services.
💛 Malibu C reminded us that scalp health is becoming part of the consultation, not an afterthought.
💛 Pureology's bridal business class reinforced that technical skill alone isn't enough. Building systems and creating exceptional client experiences matter just as much.
The takeaway?
Clients can buy products anywhere. They can watch tutorials anywhere. They can ask AI almost anything. What they can't replace is an educated professional who knows how to listen, diagnose, customize, and recommend with confidence.
The future of beauty isn't knowing more facts. It's knowing how to use them to change someone's experience.
(And if you’re a salon owner or educator—send your team. One class can shift performance fast.)
💻 Tech-Forward:
Where tech meets beauty (and your next big move begins).
Technology Enables Human Connection.
One of the takeaways I had from Redken Symposium wasn't actually about technology. It was about people. The more technology advances, the more valuable human connection becomes. Think about it. AI can write emails, create social posts, build websites, edit videos, and answer customer questions.
Technology keeps making tasks easier. But it can't make someone feel seen. It can't mentor a student. It can't celebrate a milestone. It can't tell someone, "I believe in you."
In fact, I think technology is doing something really interesting. It's making the human moments stand out even more. The handwritten note. The follow-up text. The mentor checking in. The salon owner remembering someone's birthday. The teacher who stays after class. The coworker who says, "You've got this."
I think that's the opportunity for all of us. Don't use technology to replace relationships. Use it to create more time for them. Let AI handle the repetitive tasks so you can spend more time mentoring, teaching, coaching, creating, and connecting with people.
The businesses that win won't be the ones with the most technology. They'll be the ones that use technology to become more human.
Because in a world where almost everything can be automated, making someone feel like they belong might become the greatest competitive advantage of all.
What we're learning from Hiring Funnels:
One of the questions I was asked at Redken Symposium was about hiring and culture. It made me think about one of the biggest trends we're seeing at BEAUTISTA.
It's 2026, and we're still recruiting like it's 2006. Somewhere along the way, we got lost in job descriptions and responsibilities and forgot about the human side of recruiting.
Here's an exercise we've been doing with salon owners.
Think about the very best person who's ever worked in your salon. Why did they choose you? Better yet... Why would they choose you again?
The answer to that question says more about your culture than any mission statement ever could.
We've found today's beauty professional is really asking three questions - we call them the 3 B's.
💛 Believe. Will you believe in me?
💛 Belong. Will I belong here?
💛 Become. Who can I become here?
That's why your best employee stayed. You believed in them. You created a place where they belonged. You helped them grow. If someone visits your website today, would they know why they'd want to build a career with you? Would they know they'd belong? Would they know who they could become?
People don't join salons. They join stories. The salons that tell that story well don't just attract applicants. They attract the right ones.
🎥 I had the opportunity to dive deeper into this at Redken Symposium. If you'd like to watch the full panel discussion, we've included the link below.
🔥 What’s Happening:
Virtual Live Events You Don’t Want to Miss
Next Live Virtual Classes
Mark your calendars! Here's what's coming up on BEAUTISTA Live:
💛 June 22 | 11:00 AM EDT
Biolage Essential Scalp Certification
Scalp health isn't a trend anymore—it's becoming part of every great consultation. Learn how to analyze scalp conditions, personalize recommendations, and turn scalp care into stronger client relationships and additional revenue opportunities.
💛 June 22 | 1:00 PM EDT
Redken Shades ALK Pro Connect
The new generation of demi color is here. Get comfortable with Shades ALK, explore alkaline technology, and discover how to add profitable color services to your existing menu.
💛 June 23 | 11:00 AM EDT
L'Oréal Professionnel: Intro to French Highlights with Adina
One of our special edition classes featuring guest artist Adina Pignatare. Learn her signature approach to dimensional brunette brightening, seamless balayage placement, and luminous glossing techniques.
💛 June 23 | 12:00 PM EDT
UNITE Unlocked: Stylist Training Session
Ever wondered what makes UNITE such a cult favorite? Dive into the brand's philosophy, hero products, and practical ways to elevate your client experience behind the chair.
💛 June 24 | 12:00 PM EDT
Moroccanoil: Services Explored
Add-on services continue to be one of the easiest ways to increase revenue while creating a more personalized guest experience. Learn how to build service enhancements clients will actually ask for.
💛 June 29 | 11:00 AM EDT
Mizani: Wash & Go Hairstyling Made Easy for Curls
Curl clients are looking for simplicity and results. Learn techniques to improve definition, reduce frizz, speed up styling, and create customized retail recommendations.
The trend I'm seeing? Education is moving beyond techniques and into experience. Whether it's scalp health, consultations, add-on services, or customized curl care, the beauty professionals who continue learning are the ones creating the most memorable client experiences. 🖤
(And if you’re reading this as a salon owner or educator — send your team. One class can shift an entire culture.)
👀 Watch This Space
(Jobs Worth Seeing)
👀 Watch This Space
Talio Hair Design | 📍Washington, DC
OPEN ROLES
Luxury without the ego. Growth without limits.
One of my favorite things about BEAUTISTA is getting a front row seat to businesses that are betting on themselves. This week, that business is Talio Hair Design in Georgetown. Think about this for a second.
After more than 30 years in business, they could have easily stayed comfortable. Keep doing what they've always done. Maintain the status quo. Instead? They're renovating. They're expanding. They're investing in education. And they're growing their team.
I love that because I think it's a good reminder that great businesses never stop evolving.
Talio has built a loyal Georgetown clientele by creating timeless, elevated beauty in an environment that feels both luxurious and welcoming. But what caught our attention wasn't just the beautiful salon. It was their commitment to the future.
They're currently looking for both an experienced hairstylist and an assistant, proving they're invested in developing talent at every stage of a career.
Why we're watching Talio:
Established Georgetown clientele
Luxury boutique salon environment
Advanced education and hands-on mentorship
Flexible scheduling
Collaborative, supportive team culture
Luxury renovation and expansion underway
Long-term career growth opportunities
Leadership invested in developing talent
One thing we've been talking about a lot lately at BEAUTISTA is that people don't just join salons—they join stories. Talio's next chapter is being written right now, and for the right stylist, this could be an opportunity to grow alongside a salon that's investing in its future.
👉 Apply with your portfolio + watch the video to experience the space for yourself
🎤 Educators Wanted: Your Dream Role Just Went Live
Ready to teach, inspire, and represent iconic brands?
💥 Educator roles at Pureology, Matrix and Kérastase are now LIVE on BEAUTISTA.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a rising educator, this is your moment.
🔦 BEAUTISTA Spotlight
Chloe Baker
📍 Buna, TX
✨ Open to Opportunity
Sometimes a portfolio tells you a person's experience. Sometimes it tells you their why. This week we're spotlighting Chloe Baker from Buna, Texas, and one thing immediately stood out to me. Chloe says her passion for beauty started as a little girl playing with her mom's makeup and hair tools, looking in the mirror and saying, "I am beautiful."
Now she's built a career helping other people feel exactly the same way.
What I love about Chloe's story is that she's not waiting for one opportunity to define her career. She's building it. Behind the chair at The Vintage Post Salon and Spa. Creating beautiful bridal and special event looks. Working with a collaborative event team. Even giving back by helping educate the next generation of beauty professionals.
A few things that stood out:
Licensed Texas cosmetologist with four years of experience.
Specializes in low-maintenance color, blonding, extensions, bridal, and soft glam makeup.
Behind the chair, special event artist, and beauty educator.
Averaging 10 new guests per month with a $132 average ticket.
Passionate about continued education and growing her craft.
But my favorite part of Chloe's portfolio might be her reason for being here. "I hope to give people confidence and knowledge while making a difference in their lives."
At BEAUTISTA, we believe beauty is about so much more than hair and makeup. It's about helping people see themselves a little differently when they leave your chair than when they sat down.
Chloe, thank you for reminding us that sometimes the little girl who dreamed of making people feel beautiful grows up and does exactly that.
Want this for your students?
Reach out to hello@beautista.com and we’ll show you how to make it happen.
💫 WE WANT TO FEATURE YOU
Have a story about how BEAUTISTA helped or inspired your career? Email us at hello@beautista.com to be spotlighted in an upcoming issue.
💡 BEAUTISTA Tips & Tricks
Your Career Page Should Answer 3 Questions.
We talk a lot about the 3 B's at BEAUTISTA:
Believe.
Belong.
Become.
Here's a quick hiring challenge for this week.
Open your salon's career page, website, or Instagram bio and ask yourself:
Would a future team member know…
💛 Believe: Why would this team believe in me?
🏡 Belong: What makes this culture different?
🚀 Become: Who could I become if I built my career here?
If those answers aren't obvious, there's an opportunity.
The best recruitment marketing doesn't just list job openings. It tells the story of why your best employee chose you—and why they'd choose you again.
Pro Tip: Ask your newest team member one simple question:
"What made you say yes?"
Add that answer to your career page or social content this month. Authentic stories outperform generic job descriptions every time.
💌 Pass It On
Know someone who needs this kind of real talk in their beauty journey?
Share The TRIMM with a fellow BEAUTISTA and help them grow, too.
Can't get enough of this piece? Follow this link.