Keep climbing.
- Jen Martinelli
- Jun 28
- 11 min read
"Music has a way of finding the words our hearts couldn't."
š¤ From Jen: Music is Medicine.
Hi BEAUTISTA Fam.
I've had one of those weeks.Ā Nothing specific happened. It was just... one of those weeks where everything felt harder than it should. I could feel myself stuck in fight mode. Every email felt personal. Every comment got under my skin. Every little thing felt bigger than it actually was.
So I did what I normally do. I walked my favorite trail through the woods (I call it my magical path). I meditated. I did some walking meditation. I listened to binaural beats. At one point I even walked my magical trail a second time hoping something would shift. Nothing was working.Ā
Eventually, I decided on a workout. I opened the Peloton app and picked a 30-minute strength class with instructor Callie Gullickson. I hit play without paying much attention and realized it was a Hannah Montana tribute workout. I actually rolled my eyes. š I've never watched Hannah Montana. I was a little too old when it came out, although I do remember my younger sister loving it.
As the workout went on, Callie started talking about the show. She explained how the Hannah Montana storyline was really a story about finding out who you are instead of trying to be who everyone expects you to be. I had no idea that show was that deep.Ā Ā As the workout was coming to an end, the final song started playing... "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus.
I've probably heard that song hundreds of times... but never actually heard it.Ā Ā I don't know if it was the week I'd had, the workout, or just the timing, but somewhere between lifting weights and trying to catch my breath, I found myself hanging on every word.
š¼ There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb š¼
Ironically, I teach about the psychology of music in the BEAUTISTA curriculum. Music has the ability to change our emotions, our physiology, our motivation, even the way we remember moments in our lives. But for some reason its the tool I often forget about.
That night I met up with some of my high school girlfriends for dinner. Somewhere between appetizers and martinis I blurted out, "Have you guys ever really listened to the song The Climb by Miley Cyrus?"Ā They all looked at me like, "What happened to our friend Jen?" š
I started talking about the song ..." Guys think about the words, There's always gonna be another mountain..." and before I could even get very far, every single one of them started singing. We all knew the words. We just hadn't really thought about them.
We started talking about our kids. When they were babies, we couldn't wait until they slept through the night. Then they became toddlers and we couldn't wait for preschool. Then elementary school. Now many of us have teenagers, and what I wouldn't give to go back and rock those babies to sleep one more time.Ā We talked about careers, businesses, relationships, and all the seasons of life we spent trying to get through because they felt hard.
There will always be another mountain. Another challenge. Another goal. Another season that stretches us. Sometimes we'll lose. Sometimes we'll question ourselves. But if we're always focused on getting to the other side, we risk missing the very thing that's shaping us.Ā We spend so much of our lives staring at the mountain that we forget to appreciate the person the climb is creating. The patience. The resilience. The grit. The perspective. The climb is the gift.
Later that night, on the Uber ride home, after a couple of martinis, we absolutely searched up the song and belted out every lyric at the top of our lungs. It wasn't pretty, but it was one of those moments that reminds you why music has always been such a powerful part of being human. It has a way of finding us exactly when we need it.
So if you've been having one of those weeks... or if you just need a good old-fashioned pump-up session... go put on The Climb. Or your version of The Climb. That song that reminds you who you are, where you're headed, or simply helps you breathe a little deeper.Ā
Turn it up. Belt it out. And ...keep climbing.
xoxo,
Jen Martinelli
š The Shift: Weekly Mindset + Strategy Upgrade.
Interrupt the Pattern.
One of my favorite psychology concepts is called pattern interruption.
When we're stressed, frustrated, or overwhelmed, our brain tends to repeat the same thoughts over and over. We replay conversations. We take things personally. We convince ourselves the problem is getting bigger. The more we stay in that state, the harder it becomes to think clearly.
The fastest way to break that cycle isn't always to solve the problem. It's to interrupt the pattern.
Go for the walk.
Take the workout.
Blast the song.
Call a friend.
Dance in your kitchen.
Sit outside.
Do something that changes your physiology before you try to change your mindset. Nothing about my week changed while I was listening to The Climb. My inbox was still there. The conversations were still there. The challenges were still there. I changed. And once my state changed, I saw everything differently.
This week, if you catch yourself spiraling, don't ask, "How do I solve this?" Instead ask, "What's one thing I can do in the next 10 minutes to interrupt the pattern?" Sometimes the breakthrough isn't on the other side of the problem. Sometimes it's on the other side of a walk, a workout... or a really good song.
šļø In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
The future isn't about doing more. It's about doing it smarter.
The beauty industry continues to evolve, but one thing is becoming clear: today's top professionals aren't just adding servicesāthey're becoming more intentional with every recommendation, consultation, and technique. Whether it was scalp care, color formulation, glossing, or service enhancements, this week's education focused on helping stylists work smarter while creating even better experiences for their clients.
Here are a few highlights:
Scalp care is becoming a business strategy. Biolage's Essential Scalp Certification explored how confident scalp analysis can build trust, improve consultations, and create new service opportunities.
Color isn't just about formulation anymoreāit's about choosing the right tool for the right guest. Redken, Matrix, and L'OrĆ©al Professionnel all focused on understanding the science behind color so professionals can create more customized, predictable results.
Small service upgrades can create big business results. Moroccanoil demonstrated how thoughtful add-on services can personalize the guest experience while naturally increasing revenue.
The tools behind the chair deserve as much attention as the techniques. Bonika Shears reminded us that maintaining your equipment is just as important as mastering your craft.
Education is becoming more specialized. From French highlighting and glossing to clipper cutting, smoothing treatments, and advanced styling techniques, professionals have more opportunities than ever to deepen their expertise.
The takeaway?
Success isn't coming from adding more services to your menu. It's coming from understanding the why behind what you already do, creating more personalized experiences, and helping every client feel like your recommendation was made specifically for them.
(And if youāre a salon owner or educatorāsend your team. One class can shift performance fast.)
š» Tech-Forward:
Where tech meets beauty (and your next big move begins).
Over the past few weeks, I've noticed something really interesting. Some of the biggest voices in technology and marketing are all starting to say the same thing.
Analog is winning.
Gary Vaynerchuk recently talked about what he calls the "pendulum swing." After years of moving everything online, he believes we're entering an era where the most valuable experiences will be the ones that happen in the real world. His advice to brands? Don't choose between digital and physicalāwin at both. Use technology to create awareness, but use real experiences to create loyalty.
I'm seeing this everywhere. Eventbrite recently reported a 567% increase in phone-free events, driven largely by younger generations looking for more authentic, in-person experiences.
I don't think this means technology is losing.
I think it means technology has changed what we value.
Information is everywhere. AI can answer almost any question in seconds. We can attend webinars from anywhere in the world and connect with people we've never met. But because digital access is now expected, experiences have become the differentiator.
At BEAUTISTA, we've always believed the future is phygital. Use technology to tell your story, build your portfolio, and open doors. Then step into the room. Go to the event. Introduce yourself to the educator. Stay after class. Find the mentor. Shake the hand.
Technology may get you discovered. But relationships are still what move careers forward.
What we're learning from HiringĀ Ā Funnels:Ā
The Candidate Who Was Ready When You Weren't
The most common version of the call we get sounds like this: a stylist left, the chair is empty, and the owner needs someone now.
What we've learned from watching campaigns run is that "now" is the hardest time to hire.
The candidates worth hiring aren't waiting around. They're working. They have clients who depend on them. They have commitments they need to wind down before they can seriously consider a move. A career decision in the beauty industry ā where switching salons means potentially disrupting a clientele you've spent years building ā isn't made in a week. It builds slowly. The right opportunity has to surface at the right moment, more than once, before it feels real enough to act on.
That's the part most salon owners don't account for. The timing of when a candidate is ready to move almost never matches the timing of when a salon is desperate to fill a chair ā unless the salon has been consistently visible long before the urgency hit.
A candidate who sees your opportunity today might not be ready to move today. They might be ready in three months when their situation changes. If your campaign is still running when that moment arrives, you're already in their consideration. You're not starting from zero. You're the opportunity they've already seen, already thought about, already moved toward.
The salons that have made hires through this process weren't always the ones with the most urgent need. They were the ones who were already in front of the right people when the window opened.
š„ Whatās Happening:
Virtual Live Events You Donāt Want to Miss
Next Live Virtual Classes
Here's what's coming up on BEAUTISTA Live. If you're looking to increase your confidence behind the chair while creating faster, more profitable services, this week's lineup is for you.
Monday, June 29
š 10:00 AM EDT ā Design Essentials | Light & Layered: Summer Cuts in Motion
Master long layers, movement, texture, and summer styling techniques that clients are asking for.
š 11:00 AM EDT ā Mizani | Wash & Go Hairstyling Made Easy for Curls
Learn faster styling systems, curl definition techniques, and personalized retail strategies for every curl type.
š 11:00 AM EDT ā Keratin Complex | The Express Color & Smoothing System
Discover a new two-in-one service designed to increase revenue while saving time behind the chair.
š 12:00 PM EDT ā Malibu C | Wellness Focused Solutions for Advanced Corrective Color
Learn how scalp wellness and corrective color services can help you attract new clients while strengthening client loyalty.
š 1:00 PM EDT ā Redken | Lift & Tone Pro Connect
Take the guesswork out of blonding with Redken's Blonde IQ system and product selection strategies.
š 3:00 PM EDT ā Gelish | Summer Vibes
Fresh seasonal nail trends, vibrant color palettes, and creative summer nail art inspiration.
š 4:00 PM EDT ā Redken | Shades ALK Pro Connect
Dive into Redken's newest alkaline demi technology and learn how to confidently integrate it into your service menu.
Tuesday, June 30
š 12:00 PM EDT ā L'OrĆ©al Professionnel | Dia Essentials
Master the difference between acidic and alkaline demi color while creating today's high-gloss, low-commitment looks.
š 2:00 PM EDT ā L'OrĆ©al Professionnel | Care & Style Essentials
Build confidence with the complete toolkit for repair, shine, treatments, and finishing services.
Wednesday, July 1
š 12:00 PM EDT ā Olaplex | Summer of Shine: The Glass Hair Guide
Learn the science behind glossy, healthy hair and the techniques clients will be asking for all summer long.
The trend I'm seeing?
Beauty professionals are looking for more than inspirationāthey're looking for systems. Faster services. Smarter consultations. Better results. More confidence. The professionals who continue investing in education are also investing in their future behind the chair.
(And if youāre reading this as a salon owner or educator ā send your team. One class can shift an entire culture.)
š Watch This Space
(Jobs Worth Seeing)
š Watch This SpaceĀ
Dsparada Color Salon| šRaleigh, NC
OPEN ROLES
What does it take to win your city's trust eight years in a row?
That's the question I found myself asking when I came across Dsparada Color Salon in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Being named a Wake Living Reader's Choice Award winner once is exciting. Winning it eight consecutive years? That's consistency.
That tells me this isn't a salon chasing trends. It's a salon that has spent decades building relationships, delivering exceptional experiences, and earning the trust of its community one guest at a time.
As I dug deeper, it started to make sense. For more than 26 years, this husband-and-wife-owned salon has built a culture centered around collaboration instead of competition. Their clients stay. Their team stays. And now, as they continue to grow, they're looking for the next stylist to become part of that story.
A few things that stood out:
Eight-time Wake Living Reader's Choice Award winner
26+ years serving the Raleigh community
Boutique salon with a modern, fashion-forward feel
Quarterly education and personalized mentorship
Tiered career growth path
401(k), product discounts, and complimentary salon services
Awards are nice. But they aren't the story. The story is what happens every day that makes people vote for you eight years in a row.
Ā Ā š Apply with your portfolio + watch the video to experience the space for yourself
š¤ Educators Wanted: Your Dream Role Just Went Live
Ready to teach, inspire, and represent iconic brands?
š„ Educator roles at Pureology, Matrix and KĆ©rastase are now LIVE on BEAUTISTA.
Whether youāre a seasoned pro or a rising educator, this is your moment.
š¦ BEAUTISTA Spotlight
Melissa Moore
š Tampa, FL
"Create with purpose, not pressure." Those were the words that came to mind as we scrolled through Melissa Moore's BEAUTISTA portfolio.
In an industry where we're constantly chasing the next trend, the next technique, or the next transformation, Melissa takes a different approach. She believes beautiful hair shouldn't come at the expense of healthy hair. Whether she's creating vivid color, dimensional blondes, or Hidden Bead Extensions, every decision starts with one question: What's best for the client in the long run?
That philosophy shows up throughout her portfolio.
She talks about protecting hair integrity instead of over-processing. Educating without ego. Creating customized experiences instead of rushing clients through appointments. It's a reminder that sometimes the best artists aren't the ones creating the biggest transformationsāthey're the ones creating results that still look and feel beautiful months later.
A few things that stood out:
Specializes in vivid color, creative blonding, and Hidden Bead Extensions
Three years behind the chair serving the Tampa Bay area
Believes healthy hair is the foundation of every great service
Focuses on intentional consultations and customized color placement
Lives by the philosophy: "Create with purpose, not pressure."
Melissa, thank you for reminding us that slowing down, listening, and putting the client first will never go out of style.
Want this for your students?
Reach out toĀ Ā hello@beautista.com and weāll show you how to make it happen.
š« WE WANT TO FEATURE YOU
Ā Have a story about how BEAUTISTA helped or inspired your career?Ā Email us at hello@beautista.com to be spotlighted in an upcoming issue.
š” BEAUTISTA Tips & Tricks
Missed an issue of The TRIMM?
One of the questions I get asked all the time is, "Do you have all of your newsletters somewhere?"
The answer is... yes! š¤
Whether you're looking for hiring strategies, leadership lessons, marketing ideas, AI tips, industry trends, or just a little inspiration to get through the week, every edition of The TRIMM is available in one place.
Think of it as your own leadership library. Go back, revisit a favorite story, or catch up on the editions you may have missed. You never know which article might be exactly what you need this week.
š Browse the complete TRIMM archive: https://trimm.beautista.com/
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