Pressure isn’t the problem. Avoiding it is.
- Jen Martinelli
- Jan 18
- 12 min read
Updated: 12 hours ago
"If you want others to look to you as a leader — you have to wake up from the dream that someone else will handle the pressure. That someone else will take the shot.That someone else will want the ball when the game is on the line."
🖤 From Jen: THIS IS WHY WE PLAY. |
Hi BEAUTISTA fam. I’ve had one of those weeks. The kind where you finally slow down for half a second and think… how did I end up in this room, at this table, having these conversations? It’s surreal. And honestly? A little scary. Big meetings. Big people. Big decisions that actually shape direction. And I caught myself doing something familiar - being frustrated.... and Waiting. Waiting for one of our executive team members to make the call. To say, “Here’s the answer.” To take the pressure off. To help decide what’s next. Then I hit play on my audiobook — The Ultimate Jim Rohn Library. If you know Jim Rohn, you know. One of the original voices on leadership, responsibility, and personal discipline. Mentor to legends like Tony Robbins, and John Maxwell - named the "father of personal development." He started talking about responsibility. About leadership. About the conscious decision to stop assuming someone else will carry the weight. Once I hit play, Jim shared this story about basketball. About Bill Russell when he played for the Celtics. Celtics vs Lakers. Championship game. Celtics up by one. The Lakers foul Russell on purpose because he’s a bad free throw shooter. The plan? He misses, Lakers get the ball back, and Win. Game over. Russell steps up. Hits both shots. Celtics win. Championship secured. Jim used this story as a metaphor to highlight that Leadership means accepting responsibility. If you want control over your life — and if you want others to look to you as a leader — you have to wake up from the dream that someone else will handle the pressure. That someone else will take the shot.That someone else will want the ball when the game is on the line. THIS WAS SOOOO GOOD. Thats when i started thinking about my dad. My dad was a serious athlete growing up. And now, watching him mentor my son in real time has been one of the greatest gifts. He never misses a game. Never misses practice. And somehow — in every sport — he always knows what’s about to happen before it does. Basketball. Baseball. Football. He’s that guy on the sidelines. Loud. Focused. Locked in. And in the most high-pressure moments at every game — game-winning points, bases loaded in the last inning, final defensive stand — you can hear him yelling to my son the same thing every single time: “THIS IS WHY WE PLAY MATTEO!!” “This is why we’re here — for this pressure!” “Lock in. Make it happen!” I understood what he meant in those moments… but it didn’t fully click until this week. Because what I JUST realized now is this: My dad hasn’t just been teaching my son skills. He’s been teaching him to love the pressure. To want the ball. To step forward instead of shrinking back. To see those moments not as something to fear — but something to look forward to. And more times than not? My son shows up. Strikes out the batter. Makes the play. Hits the buzzer beater. And I’ve found myself saying to him lately, “You’re so good under pressure.” ... Now I know why. So here I am — after a week of big meetings, big decisions, and a lot of internal spiraling — realizing something important. I’m not at these tables by accident. These conversations aren’t random. And waiting for someone else to decide isn’t leadership. THIS is why we play. THIS is why we do the hard thing. THIS is why we build. To take responsibility. To show up when it’s uncomfortable. To want the pressure — because it means the moment matters. And just like that… the universe delivered exactly what I needed to hear. So if you’re in a season where things feel heavier… where decisions feel bigger… where you’re waiting for someone else to step in — this is your moment to take the shot. THIS IS WHY WE PLAY. xoxo -Jen Martinelli |
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🚀 The Shift: Weekly Mindset + Strategy Upgrade.
Stop Waiting. Take the Shot.
Most people don’t avoid responsibility because they can’t handle it. They avoid it because they assume someone else is supposed to step in. This week’s shift is simple — and uncomfortable:
Notice where you’re waiting for permission, clarity, or consensus… and make one decision anyway.
1. Identify the moment you’re avoiding
The conversation you’re postponing
The decision you keep looping on
The direction you’re waiting for someone else to validate
2. Ask one question
If no one else was coming to decide this… what would I choose?
3. Take the shot
Send the email
Make the call
Set the boundary
Choose the direction and move one step forward
Pressure doesn’t disappear when you wait — it just transfers.
4. Let clarity follow action
Leadership isn’t about certainty first. It’s about responsibility first. Clarity comes after you step up — not before.
The Takeaway
Pressure isn’t a signal to pause. It’s a signal that the moment matters. This week, don’t blend into the crowd. Want the ball. Take the shot.
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🎙️ In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
On-Demand Classes (Limited Time)
Missed a live class? No stress. These expert-led sessions are now available on demand, so you can learn on your schedule — between clients, after hours, or whenever you’re ready to sharpen your edge.
Care & Style Essentials
L'Oréal Professionnel | Essential
A complete toolkit for delivering standout care + styling using Serie Expert, Metal Detox, Tecni.Art, and Absolut Repair Molecular.
Why watch: Elevate in-salon treatments and confidently create any look with predictable results.
Dia Essentials
L'Oréal Professionnel | Essential
Master Dia Light vs. Dia Color and learn when to use acidic vs. alkaline demi for shine, toning, and gentle grey coverage.
Why watch: High-gloss, low-commitment color clients love.
Super Sync & Tonal Control 101
Matrix | Essential
Demi-permanent fundamentals — formulation, processing, and retention strategies.
Why watch: Grow confidence with long-lasting, low-commitment color services.
Color De Pelo Para Todos (Spanish)
Matrix | Essential
Secrets of formulation for SoColor, Super Sync, and Tonal Control — fully taught in Spanish.
Why watch: Expand expertise and serve more guests with confidence.
Bilingual Blondes (Spanish)
Matrix | Experienced
Blonde Solutions class taught entirely in Spanish.
Why watch: Customize blonding formulas for healthy, flawless results on every hair type.
Metal Detox Certification
L'Oréal Professionnel | Essential
Learn how metals in the hair impact color — and how to eliminate unpredictable results.
Bonus: Earn a certificate of completion you can showcase professionally.
Silk Press Mastery
Mizani | Experienced
Master the #1 requested service for textured guests using the Press Agent System.
Why watch: Deliver flawless results that build trust and retail sales.
Malibu C Fundamentals
Malibu C | Essential
A science-backed deep dive into vitamin-C technology and non-oxidative services.
Why watch: Protect hair integrity while increasing service revenue.
Bottom line:If you’ve been meaning to sharpen a skill, add a service, or deepen product confidence — this is your sign. Watch on demand. Learn once. Apply immediately.
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💻 Tech-Forward:
Where tech meets beauty (and your next big move begins).
Build a System So Pressure Stops Living in Your Head
Most stress doesn’t come from the work itself. It comes from holding too much in your head. When everything is a mental note, pressure feels heavier. When it’s in a system, decisions get easier. This week’s Tech Forward is about offloading pressure into structure.
Try This Simple Reset (30 minutes)
1. Choose one area that feels chaotic
Client follow-ups
Appointments + cancellations
Education tracking
Hiring or applications
Content you mean to post
Don’t fix everything. Pick one.
2. Turn it into a repeatable systemUse one tool you already have:
Calendar blocks instead of reminders
Online booking rules instead of manual texting
A simple checklist for opening/closing
A shared doc for education, notes, or candidates
If it requires willpower every time, it’s not a system yet.
3. Decide once — not every dayGood systems remove daily decision-making:
What gets booked
When follow-ups happen
What gets prioritized
What gets ignored
Pressure decreases when decisions are already made.
How This Shows Up in the Real World
For salon owners:Automate booking rules, deposits, or confirmations so you’re not negotiating your policies every day.
For beauty professionals:Create a simple routine for rebooking, retail conversations, or content — so consistency doesn’t depend on motivation.
For students:Track education, certifications, and portfolio work in one place so progress is visible — not stressful.
The Takeaway
Leadership isn’t carrying everything in your head.It’s building systems that carry it with you.
Structure doesn’t limit freedom.It creates it.
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What we're learning from Hiring Funnels:
Hiring Funnels Don’t Fail — Responsibility Gets Avoided
Here’s what we’re seeing again and again when it comes to hiring in beauty:
Most hiring funnels actually work — but only if someone is willing to own the middle.
What’s breaking isn’t:
The ad
The job post
The lack of applicants
It’s what happens after interest is created.
The Drop-Off Happens When Responsibility Gets Fuzzy
We’re seeing the biggest leaks in three places:
No clear ownerWhen “someone” is supposed to follow up, no one does.Funnels need a single owner — not a shared hope.
Delayed responseBeauty professionals move fast.If follow-up takes days instead of hours, momentum is gone — even if interest was real.
Too much friction, too earlyLong forms. Resume requests. Too many steps before connection.The more effort required upfront, the faster good candidates disappear.
What Works Instead
The highest-performing funnels right now share three traits:
Fast human response (even if the process is automated)
Portfolio-first review instead of resumes
Simple next steps that feel conversational, not transactional
When the process feels human, people stay in it.
The Real Shift
Hiring funnels don’t need more tools. They need ownership. Someone willing to say:“I’ll follow up.” “I’ll move this forward.”
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🔥 What’s Happening:
Virtual Live Events You Don’t Want to Miss
Next Live Virtual Classes
There’s a lot happening — so instead of listing everything in a wall of text, here’s how to navigate this week based on what you want to sharpen.
🎨 Color Confidence & Formulation
If color is your lane (or where you want to feel stronger):
SoColor 101 – MatrixPermanent color fundamentals, formulation, and confidence behind the chair🗓 Jan 20 · 11:00 AM EST
Lift & Tone Pro Connect – RedkenBlonding strategies using Redken’s Blonde IQ system🗓 Jan 20 · 12:00 PM EST
Shades ALK Pro Connect – RedkenLearn how to integrate Shades EQ + NEW Shades ALK into your service menu🗓 Jan 20 · 1:00 PM EST
Punk Placement: Semis Technique – Pulp RiotCreative placement, efficiency, and building a bold, booked business🗓 Jan 20 · 4:00 PM EST
Introducción a SoColor (Spanish) – MatrixPermanent color fundamentals taught in Spanish🗓 Jan 21 · 11:00 AM EST
✂️ Cutting, Fading & Styling Skills
For hands-on technique and finish work:
Fading Fundamentals – AndisFade styles, blends, tools, and techniques for all hair types🗓 Jan 20 · 11:00 AM EST
Get Technical: Clipper Cutting – Johnny BClipper-over-comb, blending, line-ups, and men’s styling🗓 Jan 20 · 1:00 PM EST
New Year, New Tools: ghd Innovation Session – ghdLearn the latest tools + techniques for sleek, modern styling🗓 Jan 20 · 12:00 PM EST
Styling Inspired – MoroccanoilCurling, pinning, and switching styles with confidence🗓 Jan 21 · 12:00 PM EST
💼 Career, Income & Client Growth
For those thinking beyond just technique:
Hairstylist Success Blueprint – PureologyBuild income, loyalty, and balance with a personalized strategy🗓 Jan 20 · 3:00 PM EST
Haircare: Features, Benefits & Solutions – MatrixLearn how to weave retail into consultations and services naturally🗓 Jan 20 · 4:00 PM EST
💅 Nails & Specialty Services
One Product, Endless Looks: Gelish Cream Gel – GelishSolid cream gel palettes, precision nail art, and long-lasting wear🗓 Jan 20 · 3:00 PM EST
And this is just a snapshot.There are so many more live and on-demand classes happening across color, cutting, styling, nails, barbering, and business.
(And if you’re reading this as a salon owner or educator — send your team. One class can shift an entire culture.)
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🌟 Partner Perks:
Career-Changing Collabs You Shouldn’t Miss
GROWTH (Extended!)
Quick reminder: we’ve been loving GROWTH, the hair wellness line that helps you start real conversations about thinning and post-summer shed. They offered FREE Starter Kits to the next 30—and kept the offer going after hitting 30 because demand was so strong. It’s still live (limited extension).
Why salons care
Opens an easy, trusted convo your clients already want to have (thinning, shedding, post-summer stress).
Pairs naturally with scalp services and at-home care.
Adds a wellness revenue stream without feeling salesy.
How to roll it out (5 minutes)
Add “Scalp + Growth Consult” to your menu (10 mins).
Print a QR at the front desk → links to your recommended kit.
Post a 15–30s “how I use it” clip to your BEAUTISTA portfolio + IG.
Train one simple script: “If thinning is on your mind, this is the starter kit I trust—want me to text you the link?”
👉 Claim your FREE Starter Kit (next 30): https://beautista.com/register/growth-giveaway-2025
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👀 Watch This Space
(Jobs Worth Seeing)
👀 Watch This Space —GLAM Beauty Boutique📍Vestavia Hills, Alabama
Some salons just get it.
GLAM Beauty Boutique is one of those spaces where the environment, culture, and opportunity actually align. Modern-luxury without the ego. Calm energy. Soft music. A team of seasoned professionals who support each other instead of competing.
This opportunity is built for experienced hairstylists (2+ years behind the chair) who are ready for a next chapter that feels steady, elevated, and drama-free. What makes GLAM stand out is flexibility — stylists can choose between an employment path (structure, support, reliable income) or a rental path (autonomy, unlimited earning potential), all within the same beautiful, well-run space.
It’s rare to see a salon that truly supports both independence and community — and does it well.
Why we’re watching it:
Portfolio-first hiring (apply with your work, not a resume)
A culture rooted in trust, longevity, and respect
A space that elevates both the stylist brand and client experience
Options that meet you where you are — not force you into one model
If you’re a stylist quietly thinking, “I want more… but I don’t want chaos,” this is worth a look.
👉 Apply With Your BEAUTISTA Portfolio
Let your work lead the way. Stylists who apply with portfolios consistently stand out — especially in salons that value elevated craft, thoughtful presentation, and real client results.
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🎤 Educators Wanted: Your Dream Role Just Went LiveReady to teach, inspire, and represent iconic brands?
💥 Educator roles at Pureology, Redken, and Kérastase are now LIVE on BEAUTISTA.Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a rising educator, this is your moment.
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🔦 BEAUTISTA Spotlight
Emma Nake
Charleston, SC• Licensed Beauty Professional
“I like to run with scissors.”
And honestly — that tells you almost everything you need to know.
Emma Knake is a stylist who builds hair with personality. Razor cuts, shags, mullets, pixies, curly hair, alternative color, and gender-affirming haircuts — all designed with intention and, as she puts it, “a solid grow-out… because I care about your future self.”
Originally from Nashville and now rooted in Charleston, Emma has been in the industry since 2020 and brings six years of experience paired with a very clear point of view. Her chair is a come-as-you-are space: no judgment, no pressure, honest conversations, and hair that actually fits real life. If it’s a little weird in the best way, she’s probably into it.
What stands out in Emma’s portfolio isn’t just the work — it’s the alignment. She’s thoughtful about texture, identity, and individuality. She’s worked across salons that value organic, low-tox approaches, managed teams, and supported guest experience behind the scenes. That combination of creativity and leadership shows up clearly.
Why we’re spotlighting her:Stylists like Emma don’t blend in — and they’re not meant to. She’s a great example of how a clear point of view, honest voice, and portfolio-first presence attract the right opportunities.
Want this kind of experience and impact for your students?Reach out to jeneanne@beautista.com and we’ll show you how to make it happen.
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💫 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
The Curriculum Lives in the Community — and It’s Not What You Think
If you haven’t explored the BEAUTISTA Curriculum yet, here’s the most important thing to know: It’s not just education. It’s career clarity & personal development.
You can access the full Curriculum directly inside the BEAUTISTA Community site, where students, professionals, and schools are actively learning and leveling up together.
What it actually is:
The Curriculum blends emotional intelligence (EQ) with modern career strategy & Marketing — helping you understand who you are, how to tell your story, and how to show up with confidence in today’s beauty industry.
It’s about owning your story — and using it to create real opportunity.
What you’ll work through:
Purpose discovery and self-awareness
Identifying Limiting beliefs
Turning life experience into confidence and clarity
Building a portfolio that reflects you
Communicating your value in interviews, content, and conversations
Understanding how modern, phygital careers actually work
For students, this means entering the industry with confidence — not just a license.For school leaders, it means students who are engaged, prepared, and easier to place.For professionals, it means alignment, direction, and momentum.
Where to find it:
Open BEAUTISTA → Click BEAUTISTA Connect in the navigation menu → head to the Learning Studio → Defining Your Purpose
Why this matters:
Skills get you noticed. Self-awareness keeps you growing. The Curriculum is designed to help you build both — from the inside out.
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💌 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.
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