What alignment taught me about happiness. What speed taught me about hiring.

Jen Martinelli
Sep 20, 2025
8 min read

Hey BEAUTISTA Fam,

On Wednesday, an industry friend asked to interview us about our journey—where BEAUTISTA came from, how we built it, what keeps us going. I thought it would be the usual conversation about mindset and vision… until she asked me a question I wasn’t ready for.

She leaned in and said, “Jen, what is happiness?”

I paused. That’s not a question you can just toss back quickly. After a very long pause I told her, “For me, happiness is freedom. Freedom to design the life I want to live. To pick my kids up from school and be there for every game. Freedom to have a voice—something I didn’t always feel I had—and to use that voice to empower the beauty industry.”

It was honest. But when the call ended, I couldn’t stop replaying it in my head. Days went by and the question kept circling. What is happiness, really?

And then it landed. Happiness is alignment. When I was out of alignment with my purpose, even the good moments felt flat. Back when I was hustling in a career that left me dropping the kids off at daycare, rushing through dinner, and collapsing into bed—it wasn’t that my life was bad. It was that I wasn’t aligned.

The circumstances didn’t change when I found my purpose. The hustle was still there. The long days were still long. But when I started living in alignment with why I was here—to give people a voice and a place of belonging—the work felt different. Alignment brought me grit. Alignment made space for joy.

So… happiness is alignment. It’s understanding your purpose, which creates grit, perspective, and gratitude. And maybe the real invitation for all of us is to look at our own lives and ask: Where do I feel aligned with my purpose—and where do I feel off? Because finding that alignment is how we open the door to happiness.

xoxo

-Jen Martinelli

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🚀 The Shift: Weekly Mindset + Strategy Upgrade.

If happiness comes from alignment, the next question is: how do you find it?

For me, it was through the Purpose Discovery exercise—the same one that transformed Matt’s life, my life, and now thousands of students inside the BEAUTISTA Curriculum. It’s simple, but it’s not easy. And it will change everything.

Here’s how it works:

Recall 3 life-defining moments before the age of 13.
Name the 3 false beliefs those experiences planted in you.
Flip those false beliefs into positive truths about yourself.
(Bonus) Identify your superpower that came from that adversity.
Rewrite your victim story into your victory story.

Why does this matter? Because it’s not just self-reflection—it’s self-discovery clarity. Once you’ve walked through it, you don’t just see yourself differently. You start to notice limiting beliefs in others too. You lead with more compassion, more gratitude. And you live with a deeper sense of why you’re here.

This work is so powerful we normally only share it with paying BEAUTISTA schools. But for a limited time, we’re opening it up for everyone—because we believe alignment is the start of everything.

👉 Start the Purpose Discovery Curriculum → beautista.com/curriculum

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🎙️ In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

MATRIX Silk Press with Success — Replay Now AvailableWant in on the secret to achieving sleek, silky, beautifully pressed hair? In this class, MATRIX educators walked through the tools, product choices, and pressing techniques that make a silk press last.

👉 Watch the replay + see new classes → beautista.com/classes

Or browse all upcoming + on-demand classes → https://beautista.com/classes

After you watch, add the certificate to your BEAUTISTA portfolio

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💻 Tech-Forward:

Where tech meets beauty (and your next big move begins).

AI Bio Builder (in 3 minutes)

Your bio is often the first impression—on BEAUTISTA, Instagram, even Google. Most people overthink it, so here’s an AI shortcut that actually works:

Prompt to paste in ai:“You are a copywriter for beauty professionals. Write a short bio (80–100 words) that highlights my skills, my vibe, and one client promise. Keep it clear, warm, and easy to read. Tone: [confident / playful / soulful]. Info to include: [your specialties + city]. End with a call to action: [‘See my BEAUTISTA portfolio → link’].”

You’ll get 2–3 solid drafts instantly. Edit the one that feels most like you—then paste it into your BEAUTISTA portfolio, IG bio, or email signature.

👉 Update your BEAUTISTA portfolio here

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Slow follow-up is killing your hires.

This week Matt spoke to an owner who admitted: “I just don’t have the time to get back to all the applicants.” And it’s a real problem. The data shows candidates will move on if they don’t hear back fast—sometimes within hours. In today’s market, silence feels like rejection.

Why slow follow-up breaks the funnel:• Candidates apply → no reply → they lose interest or go somewhere else.• By the time you respond, the best talent is gone.• Owners feel overwhelmed by inbox chaos and miss their window.

What fixes it (the BEAUTISTA way):• Instant auto-reply that thanks them, sets expectations, and shares a booking link for a 10-min intro.• Portfolio-first apply so you’re reviewing proof of skill—not resumes.• Pre-qual micro questions that filter fit before you even open your inbox.

What you feel on your end: fewer applicants slipping away, more same-day conversations, and a live bench of people excited to hear from you.

Bottom line: speed wins. With BEAUTISTA, every applicant gets an instant touch, and you get your time back.

👉 Book a 20-min funnel audit with Matt.

🔥 What’s Happening:

Virtual Live Events You Don’t Want to Miss

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NEW: BEAUTISTA Classes Hub (Live)

We just turned on a single place to see what’s next: BEAUTISTA → Classes. You can filter by time of day and brand—and we’ll be loading September drops here.

What’s coming (sneak peek themes):

Toning fundamentals & Shades EQ deep dives
Silk press systems that last
Scalp care for barbers (add-on services that stick)
Blonding for all curl patterns
Color care certification (retention win)
Salon profit & team growth playbooks

Brands you’ll see: REDKEN, MATRIX, BIOLAGE, PUREOLOGY, SUMMIT x BEAUTISTA.

Be first to grab a seat > https://beautista.com/classes

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Next Live Virtual Class

REDKEN: Intro to Shades EQ — Toning PerfectedTired of recycling the same formulas? This class will expand your creativity with insider tips, custom blends, and pro techniques using Shades EQ Gloss.

What you’ll learn:

How to expand your tone knowledge so you pick the right shade every time
Undertones: when to neutralize vs. when to naturalize
Business-building tips: how Shades EQ can boost revenue + client satisfaction

📅 Sept 23, 2025 • 4:00 PM ET • 1 hour • LOOK & LEARN • Level: Essential

👉 Save your seat → beautista.com/classes

Pro tip: Turn on Education Alerts in BEAUTISTA Connect (and the app) to be first when new CE sessions drop.

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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 — Ananda Salon & Spa (Cortlandt Manor, NY) —

Hiring Hairstylists, Estheticians, Massage Therapists (FT or PT)

Starting a new role in beauty should feel exciting, not overwhelming. At Ananda Salon & Spa, the owners built a space where pros don’t just survive the grind—they thrive. From steady paychecks to a team culture rooted in growth, it’s the kind of career home many in beauty dream about but rarely find.

Why it’s worth your yes:

Steady, transparent pay: guaranteed compensation, no product charges or hidden fees, and consistent hours you can count on.
Benefits that respect your life: paid vacation + paid sick time, team goals with performance-based bonuses.
What it feels like: a professional, supportive crew where you can focus on your craft, grow with mentors, and build a stable career without the burnout math.
Growth built in: ongoing education, training, and mentorship at every stage—plus a clear, internal career path.
Craft + care culture: collaborative team, calm guest experience, and leadership invested in your success.
Apply with your BEAUTISTA portfolio— show your work and skip the resume shuffle.

Hairstylist Opportunity
EstheticianOpportunity
Massage Opportunity

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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.

🔗 Pureology

🔗 Redken

🔗 Kerastase

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🔦 BEAUTISTA Spotlight

Marcey Grant-Janni (The Studio Academy, Arizona) • Student Spotlight

Why she stands out: Marcey is a cosmetology student at The Studio Academy who is already showing how a portfolio can tell a story, not just display work. She blends cosmetology, trichology, wellness, and healing into her brand Look Beyond Beauty™—proof that even as a student, you can position yourself with clarity and purpose.

Her portfolio: It reads like a mission statement: polished, professional, and personal. Marcey highlights her certifications, her philosophy that “beauty begins at the root,” and her vision of helping clients heal from the inside out.

Owner/Manager takeaway: This is portfolio-first talent. You see skill, purpose, and professionalism in one place—making it easy to spot a future hire who brings more than just technical ability.

👉 View Marcey’s BEAUTISTA portfolio → beautista.com/canvas/marcey-grant-janni

Shout-out: The Studio Academy—your commitment to empowering students like Marcey is exactly why your graduates stand out in the industry.

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

Quick note: Yep, we’re repeating this—on purpose. New members join every week, and this one move (a living BEAUTISTA portfolio) is what actually gets people seen, hired, and booked.

PSA for Every Member 📢

Was it a full moon? We got a lot of messages this week asking if you should even make a portfolio when you don’t see local openings that you are interested in on BEAUTISTA. Let’s clear it up in one line: Creating 👏 a 👏 BEAUTISTA 👏 portfolio 👏 does 👏 not 👏 rely 👏 on 👏 our 👏 job 👏 listings.

Your portfolio beats a resume—and you don’t need Word. You’re creatives. APPLY ANYWHERE: paste your BEAUTISTA link in the form or upload your auto-generated BEAUTISTA resume (with QR) so hiring managers open your portfolio—video + images—in seconds.

Your portfolio is your link to the world. It shows your work (and your 30-sec intro), and it beats a resume every time.

Use it anywhere (simple):

Apply on any site: paste your BEAUTISTA link in the notes/cover letter.Copy you can steal: “Here’s my BEAUTISTA portfolio (work + quick intro): [link].”
Or upload your Resume: open your portfolio → Print Resume. It auto-creates a resume with your link + QR so hiring managers can open your portfolio (video + images) in seconds.
Make it your one link: IG bio, email signature, Google profile, school LMS—set them to your BEAUTISTA portfolio (pros/students) or BEAUTISTA career page (owners/schools).

Bottom line: Don’t wait for an opening to appear on BEAUTISTA. Create the opportunity by sharing your BEAUTISTA portfolio wherever you want to work.

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