Someone in that room made me feel like I didn't belong.
- Jen Martinelli
- Jul 19
- 11 min read
Updated: Jul 24
"You only ever dream as big as the rooms you're in."
đź–¤ From Jen: It's not See to believe. It's Believe to see.
Hi BEAUTISTA Fam,
"You only ever dream as big as the rooms you're in." I heard that quote years ago and I've never forgotten it. The crazy thing is...no one tells you what happens after you finally get into those rooms. Sometimes it's just one person in that room who makes you question whether you belong there. This week I've questioned our value. I've questioned what we bring to the table. And if I'm being really honest, I've questioned myself.
It's frustrating because I've spent years working on limiting beliefs. It's probably my favorite subject. I've read the books, listened to the podcasts, gone to the conferences, done the work. I know how this stuff works. And yet, every once in a while, that younger version of me still shows up... the one who quietly wonders if she's good enough.
I don't know if mercury is in retrograde or what... is it though? LOL! The more I thought about it, the more frustrated I became. Was it really a single person making me feel like I wasn't good enough? Or was I allowing an old version of myself to take the microphone again?Â
I thought about the story from Jamie Kern Lima's book Believe IT. Before she built IT Cosmetics into a billion-dollar company, she tells the story of sitting across from a beauty executive who looked her in the eye and basically told her she would never make it. She wasn't the right fit. She didn't look the part. She wasn't who the beauty industry was looking for. She walked out questioning everything. But she kept going. Years later, a large beauty company acquired IT Cosmetics for $1.2 billion.Â
It reminded me that this is the test. Not, Can you build the business? Not, Can you solve the problem?  Not even, Can you get in the room? The test is... Can you unapologetically believe even when someone else doesn't? The doubters don't get to decide your future. They only reveal how strong your belief really is.Â
Can you keep believing despite how someone makes you feel? Because the minute you stop believing, you stop taking action. One of my favorite sayings is: Seeing isn't believing. Believing is seeing. Belief lets you see five steps ahead. It helps you see solutions before they exist. It gives you a reason to keep moving. It allows you to see a path when everyone else still sees a dead end. And when you can see the path, you move.
That’s what I needed this week, to remember that the fastest way out of doubt is action. Take one step. Make one call. Send one email. Solve the next problem in front of you. You don’t need to know the entire plan. You just need enough belief to take the next step. Because action creates clarity. Action rebuilds confidence. Action reminds you that you are not stuck.
So yes, I’m still collecting the stories of the rooms we fought to get into. The people who questioned whether we belonged there. Like Jamie, one day, I’ll get to tell the story of how we kept going anyway.
Maybe that’s my inner rebel.  Whatever it is, it’s enough to keep me moving.
xoxo,
Jen MartinelliÂ
🚀 The Shift: Weekly Mindset + Strategy Upgrade.
When your belief gets tested, don't wait for confidence. Take action.
One of the biggest mindset traps is believing that confidence comes first.
It doesn't. Action comes first. Confidence follows.
If you're in one of those seasons right now... If you're sitting in a room that feels bigger than you... If one person's opinion has you questioning everything you've worked so hard to build... Keep going. This might just be your test.Â
Believe anyway. Send the email anyway. Walk into the meeting anyway. Pitch the idea anyway. Apply for the opportunity anyway. Keep building anyway.
One day, you'll look back and realize those moments weren't the ones that almost stopped you. They were the moments that proved how badly you wanted it.
This Week's Shift
Where have you let someone else's opinion become your own?
Take one action that proves you still believe.
Remember: Belief isn't the reward for action. It's the requirement for it.
🎙️ In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
Couldn't make it live? No worries! Every BEAUTISTA LIVE class is available on demand, so you can learn whenever it fits your schedule. Here are a few replays worth adding to your watch list this week.
đź’Ą Intro to the Power of WOW | Color WOW
Discover the technology behind Color Wow and Curl Wow while learning how to recommend products with confidence, improve styling results, and grow your retail business.
🎨 VIVIDS Canvas: Intentional Placements & Formulations | Pravana
Take your creative color to the next level by learning how to design intentional VIVIDS placements and smart formulations that bring every look to life with confidence.
🧬 K18 University: Intro to Innovative Haircare | K18
Explore the science behind K18's molecular repair technology and learn how to integrate K18 into every salon service to improve client results while growing your business.
đź’‡ Haircare & Treatments Pro Connect | Redken
Become the go-to expert in haircare and treatments. Learn how to confidently diagnose your clients' needs, recommend customized regimens, and elevate both your consultations and retail conversations.
✨ Shades EQ Pro Connect | Redken
Master the art of glossing with Shades EQ and Shades EQ Bonder Inside. You'll learn seamless formulation techniques while discovering new ways to integrate glossing services into your menu and increase revenue.
🎨 Haircolor Pro Connect | Redken
Build a stronger foundation in Redken Haircolor by exploring Shades ALK, Color Fusion, Color Gel Laquers, and more. Perfect for stylists looking to improve formulation confidence and color consistency.
💇‍♀️ Lava Locks | CHI
Luxury meets performance in this styling-focused class. Learn techniques, service enhancements, and menu upgrades that create an elevated guest experience while increasing service value.
✨ Blond Studio Essentials | L'Oréal Professionnel
Take a deep dive into the Blond Studio portfolio and learn how to select the right lightener for every guest. Gain the product knowledge needed to create customized blonding services with confidence.
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.)
đź’» Tech-Forward:
Where tech meets beauty (and your next big move begins).
Steal My Prompt:
AI isn't just for writing social media posts. One of my favorite ways to use it is to uncover blind spots in the customer experience.
Copy and paste this prompt into ChatGPT (or your favorite AI tool):
"Act as my ideal client. I own a salon in [City, State]. Review my website, Instagram, Google Business Profile, and any other public information you can find. Tell me the top 10 reasons you would NOT book an appointment. Be brutally honest. If information is missing, tell me what you'd expect to see before trusting me. Rank each issue by how much it impacts trust."
Pro Tip: If ChatGPT asks for your website or Instagram, simply paste the links into the chat. If your version of ChatGPT includes a Browse or Agent option, turn it on before running the prompt so it can review your public website and social profiles automatically. If not, don't worry—just provide your website, social media links, or screenshots, and it can still give you valuable feedback.
Why it works: As business owners, we're often too close to our own business. This prompt forces AI to experience your brand through the eyes of a first-time client. Sometimes the smallest details—a missing service menu, outdated photos, confusing online booking, or inconsistent messaging—are the very things costing you appointments.
Try This: Don't stop at your own business. Run the same prompt on your top three competitors. You might discover opportunities to stand out that you never noticed before.
Pro Tip: If your AI tool can browse the web (or you're using Agent mode), let it review your website, Instagram, and Google Business Profile automatically. If it can't, simply paste your website URL or upload screenshots for feedback.
What we're learning from Hiring  Funnels:Â
They Quit Before They Actually Quit
A concern we hear from salon owners about hiring platforms: what if my employees find someone else's listing and leave?
Here's what Gallup's research shows: 51% of U.S. employees are actively watching for or seeking a new opportunity right now — today. Not because a platform put it in front of them. Because the decision to start looking begins long before anyone says a word. Employees mentally check out months before they physically leave. By the time someone is browsing job listings, that decision was already in motion.
The platform didn't start it. Something in their current situation did.
Which brings us to the more useful question — not what if they see another opportunity? but why are they looking in the first place?
Today's beauty professional is asking three questions when they evaluate where they work and where they might go next. We call them the Three B's:
Believe — Do you believe in me?
Belong — Do I belong here?
Become — Who will I become while here?
When an employee starts looking, it's almost always because the answer to one of these has quietly become no.
The goal isn't to keep people from seeing other opportunities. The goal is to build a salon where the answer stays yes — and to make sure that story is visible to future talent who are asking the same three questions right now.
People don't join salons. They join stories.
🔥 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 live classes happening this week that caught our attention.
đź“… Monday, July 20 | 11:00 AM ET
Biolage – Essential Scalp Certification
Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. Learn how to confidently analyze scalp conditions, personalize treatment recommendations, and turn scalp care into one of your most valuable client services.
đź“… Monday, July 20 | 12:00 PM ET
KEVIN.MURPHY – DE.CODE
Master consultation strategies, color diagnosis, formulation, and the philosophy behind the KEVIN.MURPHY+CODE color line. Perfect for stylists looking to elevate both their technical expertise and client communication.
đź“… Monday, July 20 | 12:00 PM ET
Living Proof – Reset Without the Redo
Learn quick blow-dry hacks and styling refresh techniques that help clients extend their look between washes. Plus, discover how Living Proof's newest innovations can save time behind the chair while delivering beautiful results.
đź“… Monday, July 20 | 1:00 PM ET
Color WOW – Let's Get Reels
Want better engagement on social media? Learn directly from the team behind more than 1 million TikTok and Instagram followers as they share tips for creating scroll-stopping Reels, building your personal brand, and growing your audience.
đź“… Monday, July 20 | 1:00 PM ET
OLAPLEX – Total Transformation: Pro Difference Scalp to Ends
Discover a premium treatment protocol designed to improve hair health, increase client retention, and create a high-value add-on service that can boost salon revenue.
đź“… Monday, July 20 | 1:00 PM ET
Redken – Lift & Tone Pro Connect
Take the guesswork out of blonding with a deep dive into Redken's Blonde IQ system, lightener portfolio, and application techniques for consistent, beautiful results.
đź“… Tuesday, July 21 | 12:00 PM ET
Amika – Bombshell Bride: Bridal Basics
Wedding season is here! Build confidence with foundational updo techniques, product layering, and curl placement to create timeless bridal styles your clients will love.
đź“… Tuesday, July 21 | 12:00 PM ET
Malibu C – Fundamentals 101
Whether you're new to Malibu C or want to strengthen your product knowledge, discover how its science-backed technology helps preserve hair integrity while creating healthier results and new service opportunities.
(And if you’re reading this as a salon owner or educator — send your team. One class can shift an entire culture.)
đź‘€ Watch This Space
(Jobs Worth Seeing)
đź‘€ Watch This SpaceÂ
Bei Capelli Hair Studio | đź“ŤErie, PA
OPEN ROLES
More than a chair. A place to build a career.
What caught our attention about Bei Capelli Hair Studio wasn't just the beautiful salon.
It was the intention behind it.
Founded in 2018, owner Lauren Giuca set out to create more than a modern salon—she wanted a space where clients feel cared for and professionals genuinely enjoy coming to work every day. That vision still shows up in everything they do, from the thoughtfully designed environment to the way they invest in their team.
At BEAUTISTA, we always say the best career opportunities answer three questions:
Will they Believe in Me?
Will I belong here?
Who can I become because I work here?
Bei Capelli checks a lot of those boxes.
Why we'd work here
✨ A clear career path with a structured level system.
đź’° Retirement benefits, paid vacation, and incentive opportunities.
🎓 Ongoing education to continue growing your craft.
🤝 A collaborative team culture that values support over competition.
đź’• A loyal client base and a reputation built on exceptional customer care.
⚖️ A philosophy that your career should support your life—not compete with it.
If you've been looking for a salon where culture matters just as much as technical skill, this is one worth exploring.
👉 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?
đź’Ą Educator roles at Pureology, Matrix and KĂ©rastase are now LIVE on BEAUTISTA.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a rising educator, this is your moment.
🔦 BEAUTISTA Spotlight
Bailie
đź“ŤMarietta, GA
🎓 Toni and Guy Hairdressing Academy
A great portfolio doesn't just show your work—it shows who you are.
This week we're featuring Bailie, a hairstylist and colorist from Salon Posta in Marietta, Georgia, who's using her BEAUTISTA portfolio exactly the way we envisioned.
Instead of simply posting photos, Bailie is sharing her expertise through video—including one of our favorites, where she walks viewers through her three favorite hair products and explains why they're staples behind her chair. It's the kind of content that builds trust before a client ever books an appointment.
Her portfolio also highlights beautiful color work, over a decade of experience, and a commitment to continuous education—but what really stood out was her willingness to educate, not just showcase.
Why We Featured Bailie
✨ Shares educational videos—not just finished results.
🎥 Demonstrates her favorite products and how she uses them behind the chair.
🎨 Beautiful color portfolio that reflects both creativity and technical skill.
🤝 Lets potential clients get to know the person behind the portfolio.
đź“š Continues investing in her education and craft.
đź’› Uses her portfolio to build trust before the first appointment.
"People don't just choose a stylist—they choose someone they trust."
Bailie's portfolio is a great reminder that your portfolio isn't just a gallery. It's your opportunity to tell your story, share your expertise, and let future clients experience what it's like to sit in your chair.
Want this for your students?
Reach out to  hello@beautista.com and we’ll show you how to make it happen.
đź’« 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.
đź’ˇ BEAUTISTA Tips & Tricks
There's a reason it's called BEAUTISTA. It's built for every corner of the beauty industry.
Whether you're here to land your next role, grow your business, learn a new technique, or connect with the industry, BEAUTISTA was built to support every stage of your journey.
🎓 Beauty Students
Build a professional portfolio before you graduate.
Learn confidence, communication, emotional intelligence, and career-readiness skills.
Attend free live classes and access on-demand education from leading beauty brands.
Discover scholarships, mentorships, and career opportunities.
đź’‡ For Beauty Professionals
Create a digital portfolio that goes beyond a resume.
Discover salon, spa, barber, educator, and brand opportunities.
Learn from free live classes and on-demand education.
Join the BEAUTISTA Community to connect with peers, mentors, and industry leaders.
🏢 For Beauty Businesses
Recruit stylists, barbers, estheticians, nail techs, and spa professionals.
Showcase your culture with a media-rich career page.
Connect with schools and emerging talent.
Build your employer brand to attract the right people—not just more applicants.
🎓 For Beauty Schools
Give students professional portfolios before they graduate.
Access curriculum, live education, and career resources.
Strengthen enrollment marketing with student success stories.
Support placement and employer connections.
✨ For Beauty Brands
Educate through live and on-demand classes.
Recruit educators, artists, creators, and field teams.
Build authentic relationships with the beauty community.
Showcase products and expertise through meaningful education.
One community. Four audiences. Endless opportunities.
đź’Ś 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.
It's not too late to catch up with last week's newsletter.
Comments