The week I remembered what really matters.
- Jen Martinelli
- Nov 23, 2025
- 12 min read
Updated: 15 hours ago
“When you slow down enough to notice what’s good,
everything starts to feel possible again."
🖤 From Jen: Gratitude in the Chaos.
Hey BEAUTISTA Fam,
I’m hosting Thanksgiving again this year… anyone else? It’s that bittersweet mix of being grateful and stressed at the exact same time. You’re excited to have everyone together… and also mentally preparing yourself because, let’s be honest, hosting is an Olympic sport.
And every time I swear to myself that I’ll be calm and present and grounded — and then the prep starts, the timing starts, the personalities start… and suddenly I’m like, “Lord help me, if I have to hear one more one of Uncle Tony’s ‘back in my day’ stories, I’m hiding in the pantry.” LOL
The truth is, the leading up, the shopping, the cooking, the cleaning, the kids’ schedules, the juggling… all of it somehow turns a holiday that’s supposed to feel warm and grounding into chaos and rushing. And that’s exactly why I'm reminding myself to be intentional — really intentional — about slowing down this week. Not because it’s easy. Not because I magically have the time. But because science tells us something simple and powerful:
Your nervous system cannot create clarity, calm, or creativity when it’s in “go mode.”When you’re rushing, your brain shifts into threat response — tunnel vision, stress hormones, irritability. But when you pause — even for 30 seconds — your brain resets. Your prefrontal cortex (the part responsible for decision-making, problem-solving, and emotional regulation) turns back on. That’s why the moment you slow down, things start clicking again. The planning feels easier. The conversations go smoother. You remember who you actually want to be walking into the holiday.
And every time I make myself pause — even when it feels counterproductive — I remember something bigger: gratitude. Not the fluffy kind… the grounding kind.
Because if I’m being honest, this week has been A LOT. Matt’s traveling for BEAUTISTA, My Daughter is post–ACL surgery on crutches who needs to be picked up early from school every day and brought to PT… My son made the middle school basketball team and is still finishing out football (which means I basically live in my car)… And don’t even ask me about dinner. Or laundry. Or all of my BEAUTISTA deadlines staring at me like, “Hey girl, we’re still here.” And wait — OMG, did I even buy a turkey yet?!
And then there’s The Trimm — the thing I spend hours on every single week, pouring real time and heart into it. And some weeks (like this one) I genuinely wonder… Does anyone even read this? 😂 But this is exactly where the gratitude sneaks in — not the kind you perform because it’s Thanksgiving, but the kind that hits you right in the chest.
I’m grateful that I get to do this. Grateful that I get to build something that empowers BEAUTISTAS everywhere. Grateful that 110,000+ of you are on the other side of this email. Grateful that my kids are living full, active lives — even when their schedule kills my “flow.” Grateful that our BEAUTISTA team is behind the scenes grinding so I can take a breath and write this each week. And grateful because if this lands for even one person… even one Beautista breathes a little deeper, or slows down, or feels less alone… then it’s all worth it.
So this week, I hope you take a moment to reset your nervous system — even if it’s in the car, or in the bathroom between dishes, or on a five-minute walk. Move a little slower. Breathe a little deeper. Let yourself notice what’s good — even if it’s imperfect. Especially if it’s imperfect.
I am grateful that I get to do this.
Happy Thanksgiving, BEAUTISTA Fam.
I’m grateful for you.
xoxo
-Jen Martinelli
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🚀 The Shift: Weekly Mindset + Strategy Upgrade.
Slow Down First. Then Plan Like Someone Who’s Going Somewhere. One thing I’ve learned — from building BEAUTISTA, raising kids, and surviving weeks where everything hits at once — is this: Successful people don’t start their day by speeding up. They start by slowing down.
Because when your nervous system is in overdrive, your brain can’t think strategically. It just reacts. But as soon as you pause — even for 30 seconds — your prefrontal cortex switches back on. That’s the part of the brain that handles clarity, prioritizing, problem-solving, and every big decision that actually moves your life forward. And that is why the most successful people don’t “wing it.” They don’t wake up and hope for a productive day. They plan the night before — after they’ve slowed down enough to think like their future self, not their frantic self.
The 5-Minute Night-Before Method
1. Slow your nervous system.
Just one slow inhale and long exhale. (Science says you’re literally switching your brain back on.)
2. Ask one question:“If I could only get three things done tomorrow, which three would move my life or career forward the most?” Not the loud tasks. Not the urgent distractions. The needle-movers.
3. Write those three down.They become your non-negotiables.
4. Then write your “nice if I get to it” list.That’s where everything else goes.It keeps the noise out of your real priorities.
5. Put the list somewhere visible.Future you will thank you when the morning chaos hits.
This is how high performers build momentum — not by doing more, but by doing what actually matters. Not by grinding nonstop, but by slowing down long enough to choose their direction before they hit the gas.
This is your shift this week: Don’t start fast. Start intentional. Slow down → Plan with clarity → Move with purpose.
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🎙️ In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
Presence = Peace (Replay)
Presence = Peace: Thrive in Social Settings & Social Media.
If you’re heading into the busy season already feeling a little fried, this one’s for you. In this session with our friend Daniel Mason-Jones, we dug into simple, real-world ways to:
Stay grounded when family + client dynamics get intense
Protect your energy without feeling guilty
Navigate expectations (at home, behind the chair, and online)
Use social media as a tool for connection — not comparison or stress
If you couldn’t join us live, you can watch the replay anytime and give yourself (and your team) an hour to reset your nervous system and breathe again.
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💻 Tech-Forward:
Where tech meets beauty (and your next big move begins).
Stress-Free Holiday Captions (In Seconds)
If your brain feels fried from the holiday rush and the idea of writing one more Instagram caption makes you want to hide under a weighted blanket… this one’s for you.
The holiday season is when your chair is full, your schedule is packed, and your energy is divided between clients, family, food prep, and trying to remember if you already bought wrapping paper (you didn’t… go buy it).
This is exactly when AI becomes your best friend.
Here’s a simple prompt you can drop into ChatGPT to create your holiday content in literal seconds:
Prompt:"Write 10 Instagram captions for a hairstylist during holiday season. Make them warm, personal, confidence-boosting, and not salesy. Short and scroll-stopping."
What comes out? Magic. You’ll get captions you can copy/paste straight into your posts — no brainpower required, no overthinking, no “ugh why is this so hard” spiral. It keeps your page alive during the busiest time of year… without you having to sacrifice sleep, sanity, or family time. Content becomes effortless. Your feed stays consistent. Your clients keep engaging. And YOU get to breathe.
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What we're learning from Hiring Funnels:
What the Holidays Really Look Like Inside Hiring Funnels
There’s this long-held belief in salon hiring that the holidays are “dead.” That nobody applies. Nobody’s looking. Everyone waits until January. But guess what? Our BEAUTISTA data proves otherwise.
Here’s what’s actually happening inside the funnels — in real time, with real numbers:
1. Conversations are NOT slowing down. Not even a little.
Our November campaigns are full of salons getting:
60… 80… even 111 messaging conversations
Steady Meta leads
Multiple BEAUTISTA applicants
And strong dashboard activity
People aren’t ghosting the industry during the holidays — they’re talking. They’re exploring. They’re warming up.
2. Holiday performance is NORMAL
CTR stays steady in November
Conversion stays steady (20–19%)
If the holidays were actually “dead,” this chart would tank. But it doesn’t. Not once.
3. Here’s the real pattern we’re seeing:
People look for new roles during the holidays.
People start new roles in January.
This is true in nearly every industry — and our data reflects it clearly.
4. The biggest truth in our data this week:
If a salon waits until January to recruit…they’re already late. The people they want are browsing right now. Messaging right now. Comparing right now.
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🔥 What’s Happening:
Virtual Live Events You Don’t Want to Miss
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Next Live Virtual Class
A Mental Health Hour That Keeps you Going
Inspiration = Longevity: Avoid Beauty Industry Burnout This Holiday Season
Dec 2 • 12PM ET
The holidays have a way of pulling us in every direction at once. Clients need you. Family needs you. Your goals need you. And suddenly you look up and think, “How am I supposed to keep doing this pace?” That’s exactly why these HEAD UP x BEAUTISTA sessions matter so much — they’re not fluff, they’re fuel.
Every time we host one, my phone lights up with messages like:
“I didn’t realize how burnt out I was until this.”“This helped me reset.”“I SO needed this hour.”
One hour… and people walk back into their life with more calm, clarity, and capacity than they had before. This next class is about something deeper: longevity — how to last in this industry with your passion, your energy, and your creativity intact. And of course, it’s led by our friend Daniel Mason-Jones, who brings heart, wisdom, humor, and a level of honesty that always hits right where you need it.
This isn’t the same session as last time — this one is the roadmap for finishing the year without burning out… and starting 2026 with actual peace.
In this session, you (and your team) will learn:
✨ The 5 self-care systems high-performers swear by✨ How to set your 2026 career goals without overwhelm✨ What work-life balance actually looks like in beauty✨ How to protect your energy, passion, and creativity for the long run
If you’re a business or school leader — bring your team. Taking one hour for mental wellness isn’t a “nice to have.” It’s a culture statement: We care about you as a human, not just a producer.
Because when beauty pros feel supported, they stay longer, create better, and show up fuller.
🌿 Join us → Inspiration = LongevityYour future self (and your team) will truly thank you.
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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 — K SoHo Salon (Tampa, FL)
Opportunity:
✅ Hairstylist
✅ Suite Renter
✅ Esthetician
K SoHo Salon sits right in the heart of Tampa’s vibrant Soho District — a bright, glass-walled, modern-boho space where creativity flows and the energy is just… good. It’s led by a Redken + Formula 18 Educator, which means growth, education, and great hair days are part of the culture, not an afterthought.
And right now, they’re hiring across three roles — each offering something truly special depending on where you are in your career.
✨ 1. Hairstylist — FT or PT
Think: sunlight pouring in, iced coffee on your station, your own creative flow… and a team cheering you on instead of competing with you.
K SoHo gives you freedom without isolation — create your schedule, build your brand, and have the support of a salon owner who actually invests in your development.
If you want a space that feels like home and levels you up as an artist, this is it.
✨ 2. Suite Renter — Independence Meets Aesthetic Goals
If you’re a lash artist, esthetician, nail tech, brow specialist, massage therapist, or barber (no bowl) looking for a private suite in a beautiful setting — this one stands out.
Each suite includes:
🌿 A private sink💡 Natural light + modern-boho décor☕ Access to a collaborative salon environment🤍 The freedom to design your schedule and your experience
Your business. Your brand. Your space.With a collaborative, creative salon right outside your door.
✨ 3. Esthetician — Create, Glow & Grow
Whether you want a commission role or your own private suite, this one hits home for estheticians who want both serenity and momentum.
This role gives you:
💆♀️ A ready-to-go suite🌿 A supportive, collaborative team💡 The freedom to build your business your way🎶 A calming, beautiful space your clients will love
If you’ve been craving a sanctuary to elevate your services, this is a rare find.
📍 Why We Love Featuring K SoHo:
It’s the perfect blend of creative energy + independence, which is exactly what so many BEAUTISTAS tell us they want.
And with the location, leadership, and culture—they’re set up to help pros grow sustainably.
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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
Adeline MitchellEducators of Beauty - Peru IL
Graduating: July 2026 • Cosmo
This week, we’re celebrating Adeline Mitchell, a 19-year-old Cosmetology student from Peru, IL, currently training at Educators of Beauty and graduating in July 2026.
Adeline is the kind of future pro who reminds you why this industry is so special. She’s passionate about special occasion styling, haircuts, and design, and she’s already completed her sculpture + design training. Her next chapters — color, extensions, and beauty care — are the areas she’s most excited to dive into as she moves closer to licensing.
What stands out most about Adeline is her enthusiasm for learning and her genuine excitement to start building relationships behind the chair. She’s the future of this industry — creative, eager, grounded, and ready.
Her specialties:✨ Hair Design✨ Braiding✨ Cutting & Styling✨ Kids’ Cuts
Her favorite brands: Redken, Amika, Matrix, Pulp Riot, Pureology
If you're a salon or spa in the Illinois area looking for emerging talent — Adeline is one to watch.
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
💡 BEAUTISTA Tips & Tricks
How to Quickly Update Your Portfolio Photos.
We’ve had a wave of new BEAUTISTAS coming in from our digital ad campaigns — especially from Premium salons where we’re running full recruitment funnels. That means lots of new portfolios being created… and a very common question popping up in our live chat:
“I used the BEAUTISTA AI builder with my Instagram — how do I change my photos now?”
Great question. Quick answer: You don’t have to start over. You just need to tweak.
When you plug in your IG handle, BEAUTISTA builds a starter portfolio for you in seconds — pulling your work, your vibe, and your story into one place so owners can actually see who you are (not just read a Word doc resume).
Here’s how to update your images:
Step 1: Log inHead to beautista.com and log into your account.
Step 2: Go to “My Portfolio”This is your home base — where your story, photos, and videos live.
Step 3: Update your featured photo + videoOn the left hand side of your portfolio, click the “Featured photos and videos” folder.Here you can:
Change your main featured photo (the one people see first)
Update your featured video if you have one
Think of this as your “billboard” — choose the image or video that best represents you right now.
Step 4: Edit your “My Work” sectionScroll to “My work photos and videos” folder. Here you can:
Add new photos or videos of your work
Remove anything that no longer feels like “you”
Refresh with recent content you’re proud of
You can upload directly from your device and keep curating as you grow. Your BEAUTISTA portfolio isn’t a one-and-done resume — it’s a living, evolving proof of your craft. The easier it is for you to update your portfolio, the easier it is for the right salon, spa, brand, or school to say: “That’s the one. Let’s talk.”
If it’s been a minute since you touched your portfolio — this is your nudge. Go in, swap a few photos, and make sure the version of you that’s showing up… is the one you are today.
Are you a school who wants to wow your local businesses with a career fair that actually works —the kind that delivers action, applications, and real placement momentum?
Are you a business who wants a results-driven, inspired strategy the next time you visit a school — so you leave with actual applicants, not just conversations?
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🗣 Your Take
Vote here 👇– We'll share the results in the next TRIMM.
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📊 Last weeks results
💌 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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