I couldn't wait to leave vacation.
- Jen Martinelli
- Jul 12
- 9 min read
"The Best Part about Losing it is Finding it Again."
🖤 From Jen: Finding It Again.
Hi BEAUTISTA Fam.
Last week, we packed up the car and headed "down the shore." If you're from New Jersey, you know exactly what I mean. 😊 Every summer, our family rents a house for a week at the Jersey Shore. The beach. The boardwalk. The arcade. Cousins piled into bunk beds laughing until all hours of the night. It's become one of those traditions I know my kids will look back on one day the same way Matt and I look back on ours. We count down to this vacation every year.
And yet... Every single year, I also can't wait to come home!
For a while, I thought something was wrong with me. Why couldn't I just enjoy the vacation? Why was I already looking forward to getting back to work, my morning routine, my own bed, and my everyday life? Why do I spend months looking forward to vacation... only to spend part of vacation looking forward to coming home? I thought about it so much until I realized it wasn't that I wanted the vacation to end.
I had just fallen back in love with the life I was taking a break from. The late dinners, extra martinis, and loose schedule are fun for a little while. But somewhere around day three, I start craving my morning coffee while reading my book. My walks. My workouts. My routine. The work I get to do every day. The people I get to do it with.
It reminded me of a conversation I had years ago with a friend. At the time, I was meditating every morning. I was in a really good rhythm, and she asked me to help her get there too. She had been there before. She remembered how grounded she felt and just wanted to find her way back. She wanted accountability. She wanted to know how to stay consistent. Without even thinking, I said, "The best part about losing it is finding it again." I don't think I realized how much wisdom was packed into that one sentence until now.
I think that this is just the duality of life. Sometimes we lose our routine so we can appreciate it again. Sometimes we lose our confidence so we remember what it feels like to rebuild it. Sometimes we even lose ourselves for a little while... only to find a version of ourselves we like even more.
Lately, my kids have been asking life questions. "Why are people mean?" "Why do hard things happen?" And I keep coming back to the same idea. Would we appreciate kind people if we'd never met difficult ones? Would great friendships mean as much if we'd never experienced disappointing ones? Would coming home feel this good if we never left?
Maybe that's the beauty of duality. It has a funny way of teaching us gratitude. Maybe that's why vacations are so special. Not because they help us escape our lives. Because they remind us how much we love the life we're lucky enough to come home to.
So if you've "lost it" lately... your routine, your motivation, your confidence, or just that feeling of being like yourself... give yourself a little grace. Sometimes we drift away from the things that make us feel our best. Not because they've lost their value, but because we've simply gotten used to them.
Sometimes stepping away is exactly what reminds us why we loved them in the first place... and makes us excited to find them again.
xoxo,
Jen Martinelli
🚀 The Shift: Weekly Mindset + Strategy Upgrade.
Familiarity Hides Gratitude
There's a fascinating concept in psychology called hedonic adaptation. It's the idea that our brains quickly adapt to the things that become part of everyday life. The exciting becomes normal. The extraordinary becomes expected. Before long, we stop noticing the very things that once made us grateful.
I catch myself doing this all the time. Years ago, I prayed for a career that gave me the flexibility to be there for my kids. I wanted to pick them up from school. Chaperone the field trip. Work on something I believed in. Today, I have that.
And every once in a while, I catch myself feeling overwhelmed by the very thing I once prayed for.
That's hedonic adaptation.
This week, try this simple exercise:
Ask yourself: What am I living today that I once wished or prayed for?
Sit with it for a minute. Because sometimes the fastest way to rediscover gratitude isn't finding something new. It's remembering what you already have.
🎙️ In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
Couldn't make it live? We've got you covered. Here are a few of this week's classes that are now available on demand, ready whenever you are.
💡 Transform Your Business: The OLAPLEX Business of Backbar
Discover how to turn every appointment into a more profitable experience by maximizing your backbar services. This session shares consultation strategies, treatment menus, and simple ways to increase client value while growing salon revenue.
🎨 Haircolor for All | Matrix
Whether you're new to Matrix or looking to strengthen your formulation skills, this foundational class dives into SoColor, Super Sync, Tonal Control, lighteners, and the science behind creating consistent color results for every client.
✨ Blonding for All | Matrix
Build confidence behind the chair with a deeper understanding of Matrix's lightener portfolio, application strategies, and formulation tips to create beautiful blondes while growing client loyalty.
🎨 Haircolor Pro Connect | Redken
Take a deeper dive into the Redken haircolor portfolio, including Shades ALK, Shades EQ, Blonde IQ, and formulation fundamentals designed to help you confidently solve common color challenges.
✨ Summer of Shine: The Glass Hair Guide | OLAPLEX
Learn the science behind luminous, healthy-looking hair with advanced shine techniques, heat protection, product layering, and summer styling strategies your clients will love.
💇 Care & Style Essentials | L'Oréal Professionnel
Explore the complete toolkit behind Metal Detox, Serie Expert, Tecni.Art, and Absolut Repair Molecular while learning how to recommend the right products for repair, shine, and styling.
If you missed one, 👉 Catch replays + explore more anytime at beautista.com/classes
(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).
If AI is answering the question... will it recommend you?
Marketing expert and entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk has been talking a lot lately about how AI is changing the way people discover businesses. His message is simple: in an AI-powered world, your brand becomes your biggest competitive advantage.
Think about it. Instead of typing into Google... "Best balayage near me." "Who specializes in extensions?" "What's the best salon in my area?"
More and more people are simply asking AI. That changes everything. For years, we've talked about the importance of building trust before someone sits in your chair, applies for your salon, or buys your product. AI isn't changing that. It's amplifying it. AI doesn't build trust. It surfaces it.
It looks for the digital signals that already exist—your portfolio, reviews, videos, education, community involvement, social content, and the conversations people are having about you. The stronger and more authentic those signals are, the more likely you are to become part of the answer.
That's exactly why we've been encouraging beauty professionals and businesses to build their digital presence long before they "need" it. Your portfolio isn't just a portfolio anymore. Your career page isn't just for hiring. Every class you teach, every review you earn, every story you tell, and every person you impact contributes to your digital reputation.
The future isn't just about being searchable. It's about being trusted. And trust has always been the best marketing strategy.
What we're learning from Hiring Funnels:
The Number That Feels Like Progress Isn't
Most salon owners who've posted on Indeed know the feeling. The applications start coming in and for a moment it feels like something is working. The inbox fills up. The number climbs.
Then you start reading them.
The problem with general job boards isn't that they don't attract applicants — it's that they attract everyone. People who aren't licensed. People who have never worked in a salon. People who hit apply on every listing within ten miles because it takes two seconds and costs them nothing. The number looks promising. The actual candidate pool is empty.
That's the trap: a big number that feels like progress but isn't.
We see the same pattern in campaign data. Some of the campaigns with the most responses end up with the fewest qualified candidates — because those responses are coming from people who were never in the beauty industry to begin with. A campaign built to reach people who are already licensed and already working in the space generates fewer total responses and far more candidates who can actually do the job.
A full inbox from the wrong people isn't a pipeline. It's just noise that costs you time.
The number that matters isn't how many people responded. It's how many were actually qualified to walk through your door.
🔥 What’s Happening:
Virtual Live Events You Don’t Want to Miss
Next Live Virtual Classes
Looking to sharpen your skills or discover something new? Here are a few classes happening this week that caught our attention.
📅 Monday, July 13 | 10:30 AM ET
K18 – Style Lab: K18 and the Art of Repair
Learn how to confidently integrate K18 into color, cutting, and styling services while creating healthier hair, stronger client results, and new revenue opportunities.
📅 Monday, July 13 | 1:00 PM ET
Color WOW – Intro to the Power of Wow
Explore the technology behind Color Wow and Curl Wow while learning practical ways to improve styling results, retail conversations, and client satisfaction.
📅 Tuesday, July 14 | 1:00 PM ET
Mizani – Curl Haircutting Foundations
Preview Mizani's signature Aircut system and learn techniques designed specifically for textured hair while creating premium services your clients will love.
📅 Tuesday, July 14 | 3:00 PM ET
CHI – Lava Locks
Discover styling techniques and luxury service enhancements that elevate the guest experience while increasing service value behind the chair.
📅 Wednesday, July 15 | 11:00 AM ET
Redken – Haircolor Pro Connect
Strengthen your color foundation with a deep dive into the Redken portfolio, formulation tips, and practical strategies to solve common color challenges with confidence.
(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
Moxie | 📍Alexandria, VA
OPEN ROLES
More than a salon. A gathering place.
When Meredith Nowlin opened Moxie in Old Town Alexandria, her vision wasn't simply to build another beautiful salon. She wanted to create a place where people felt connected—to their craft, to one another, and to the community around them.
Today, Moxie is known for more than great hair. The salon supports local artists through its Corner Collective, partners with neighborhood charities, and has earned Best of Virginia recognition two years in a row. The City of Alexandria even featured Meredith in its Women in Business exhibit, recognizing how Moxie has become a place where community and small business come together.
Why stylists love Moxie:
🏆 Best of Virginia (2024 & 2025)
🎓 Advanced education and mentorship
📈 Clear career path with six-figure earning potential
🩺 Health insurance benefits
🗓️ Flexible scheduling
❤️ A culture rooted in giving back through local artists and community partnerships
Take a few minutes to watch Meredith's video walkthrough of Moxie. You'll quickly see why they say they're "Rooted in Community. Connected Through Hair."
👉 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
Maci Darr
📍Ames, IA
🎓PCI Academy
One thing we love seeing on BEAUTISTA is students who understand that a career doesn't start after graduation—it starts while you're still in school.
This week we're spotlighting Maci Darr from PCI Academy in Ames, Iowa. Set to graduate in October 2026, Maci is already doing what many beauty professionals wait years to do: building her personal brand, growing her professional network, and thinking like a business owner.
Her portfolio doesn't just showcase beautiful work. It tells the story of someone who's preparing for a long career in the industry. From earning her Babe Hair Tape-In certification to tracking key performance metrics and sharing where she wants to go next, she's already laying the foundation for success.
Her "Why I'm Here" says it best:
"This is just the start, and I'm so grateful to be on this journey surrounded by people who inspire me every day."
We couldn't agree more.
Take a few minutes to explore Maci's portfolio and follow her journey. Sometimes it's fun to discover talented artists before everyone else does.
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
Last week, I shared how Heather Bagby's new book, Beautiful & Balanced, reminded me of the Three Feet from Gold story that carried Matt and me through some of the toughest years of building BEAUTISTA. Many of you reached out asking where you could find the book.
What I love most is that it isn't just one person's story. Heather shares the journeys of beauty industry leaders from across our profession, then offers her own leadership insights, reflections, and practical takeaways at the end of each chapter. It's a thoughtful read for anyone looking to grow as a leader, business owner, or simply as a person.
📖 You can find Beautiful & Balanced here:
💌 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.
Catch up with last week's newsletter through this link.