"You aren't a spring chicken. You have two kids."
- Jen Martinelli
- 3 days ago
- 10 min read
Updated: 20 hours ago
"How much you sweat during training
determines how much you bleed in the arena."
🖤 From Jen: The Gift of Being Underestimated.
Hi BEAUTISTA Fam.
We've been staying up way too late in our house watching the NBA Finals. It's the talk of our family, my social media feed, and honestly, it feels like everyone everywhere is watching. As I'm writing this, we finished Game 4 last night. What a game. The Knicks were down big. It felt impossible. And somehow they chipped away, possession by possession, until they pulled off one of the wildest comebacks I've ever watched.
If you've been reading The TRIMM for a while, you know I love a good sports story. I can't help myself. I use sports analogies with my kids all the time because they're really just life lessons in disguise. Sports are a game of failure. You lose. You get cut from teams. You miss shots. You put in hours and hours of work for a moment that may never come. And if you ask most successful athletes what made them who they are, it usually isn't the wins. It's everything that happened before them.
After the game, my social media feed was flooded with stories about Jalen Brunson, the Knicks point guard. If you don't follow basketball, here's the quick version. He's spent most of his career being underestimated. Too small. Not athletic enough. Passed over in the NBA draft despite an incredible college career. Even when the Knicks signed him, plenty of people questioned whether he could lead a team. And here he is now.
I can remember so many times in my own life when people underestimated me. I wasn't smart enough. I wasn't outgoing enough. I wasn't capable enough. When I left my career to build BEAUTISTA, I had two kids and heard "You aren't a spring chicken and you have two kids! Why would you risk a successful career to build something from scratch?" For a long time, I let those voices become my story. Then I got tired.
Somewhere along the way, being underestimated became my challenge. Tell me I can't do something and there's a pretty good chance I'm going to try until I can. Not because I need your approval. But because I am willing to do the things others won't. "How much you sweat during training determines how much you bleed in the arena." I've thought about that quote a lot this week. The hard seasons are the training. The rejection is the training. The people who don't believe in you are part of the plan. And just maybe... they are fuel.
I don't know who needs to hear this this week, but if someone is underestimating you, don't spend your energy trying to change their mind. Take the challenge. Put in the work. Keep showing up. Let them think what they want. I've learned that some of the best things in my life happened because someone thought I couldn't do them.
At the end of the day, the only person who gets to decide how your story ends is you.
xoxo,
Jen Martinelli
PS. If you've been following my iPhone story, i finally got a working phone this week!!!
🚀 The Shift: Weekly Mindset + Strategy Upgrade.
Prove One Thing Wrong.
We all have stories we've accepted as true. "I'm not good with technology." "I'm too old." "I'm too young." "I'm not creative." "I'm not ready." "I'm not a leader." "I'm not a business owner."
Maybe someone else planted that seed. Maybe you've been telling yourself that story for years. Either way, it's worth asking: Is it actually true?
Pick one thing you've always believed you couldn't do and go test it.
Take the class. Apply for the opportunity. Post the video. Raise your prices. Have the hard conversation. Learn the new skill. Start the side hustle.
The psychology behind this is fascinating. Confidence doesn't magically appear one day. It's built through evidence. Every time you do something that feels uncomfortable or impossible, your brain collects proof that you're more capable than you thought.
You don't have to prove everyone wrong. Just prove one thing wrong. You might discover that the only thing standing between you and the next version of yourself was a story that was never true to begin with.
🎙️ In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
One thing became very clear from this week's classes: The client experience is the competitive advantage.
Technical skills will always matter. But today's clients are looking for more than great hair. They want healthy hair, personalized recommendations, memorable services, and an experience that keeps them coming back.
Here are a few highlights:
💛 Healthy hair is becoming a specialty. Metal Detox, Mizani Twist-Out Essentials, and Redken Haircare all reinforced a growing trend: clients want stylists who can protect the integrity of their hair while delivering beautiful results. Prevention is becoming just as important as transformation.
💛 Luxury lives in the consultation. L'Oréal Professionnel's iNOA Essentials and Matrix's Super Sync classes focused on understanding the "why" behind formulation and creating customized services for each guest. Great color starts long before the bowl is mixed.
💛 Clients remember how you made them feel. Matrix's Safe Space Learning Series tackled one of the industry's most underrated skills: creating an environment where people feel seen, heard, and comfortable in your chair.
💛 Special occasion services are about creating memories. Living Proof's bridal styling class highlighted the reality that some appointments become part of a client's biggest life moments—and the experience matters just as much as the finished style.
💛 Technology should strengthen relationships, not replace them. SalonInteractive and Phorest demonstrated how smart marketing and automation can help salons stay connected with clients long after they leave the salon.
The takeaway?
Beautiful hair may bring clients through the door.
A memorable experience is what keeps them coming back.
(And if you’re a salon owner or educator—send your team. One class can shift performance fast.)
💻 Tech-Forward:
Where tech meets beauty (and your next big move begins).
Tech Forward: Stop Creating Content.
One of the biggest shifts happening in marketing right now is surprisingly simple:
Stop creating content.
Start documenting.
Gary Vaynerchuk has talked about this for years, but AI is making the idea even more important. The internet doesn't need more perfectly polished posts. AI can generate those in seconds. What people can't generate is your experience.
A student's first haircut.
A salon team celebrating a birthday.
A behind-the-scenes look at a color transformation.
An educator preparing for class.
A business owner interviewing a candidate.
The conversation before the service.
The laugh after the service.
The reality of what you do every day.
Technology and AI can help edit the video, write the caption, suggest hashtags, and even tell you the best time to post. But the story? That's still yours. The marketing leaders winning right now aren't asking, "What should we create?" They're asking, "What happened today that's worth sharing?"
Because in a world where AI can create almost anything... Authenticity is the most valuable thing of all.
What we're learning from Hiring Funnels:
Something is shifting in how companies hire — and it's not a small adjustment.
According to TestGorilla's 2025 State of Skills-Based Hiring report, 85% of employers are now using skills-based hiring, up from 73% just two years ago. More than half have eliminated degree requirements entirely. And 71% say that evaluating candidates on their actual skills is more predictive of on-the-job success than reading a resume.
The reason the shift is happening: resumes aren't telling employers what they need to know. 86% of employers report problems with them. Nearly 30% say they receive too many to even read. Employer satisfaction with new hires has declined three years in a row — and the data points directly at the resume-first process as the problem.
The hiring world is collectively trying to figure out how to see candidates' actual work before making a decision.
Salon & Spa owners who go through the BEAUTISTA campaign process are already there.
A portfolio application isn't a workaround or a creative alternative to traditional hiring. It's what the most sophisticated employers in the world are now redesigning their entire processes to accomplish. When a candidate applies through the opportunity page and submits their work, the owner isn't reading a list of past employers and guessing — they're looking at real output from a real person. That's not a small distinction. It's the whole game.
The salons that have made hires through this process didn't do it by collecting more applications. They did it by seeing what candidates could actually do — before a single interview was ever scheduled.
🔥 What’s Happening:
Virtual Live Events You Don’t Want to Miss
Next Live Virtual Classes
This week's classes all pointed to the same trend: Speed is becoming the competitive advantage.
Not cutting corners. Working smarter. Clients want beautiful results, but they also value convenience, efficiency, and services that fit into their busy lives. Brands are responding by helping beauty professionals deliver premium experiences without sacrificing quality.
Here are a few highlights:
💛 Fast is becoming a luxury.
Monday, June 15 | 2:00 PM EDT
R+COLOR's Hypermatic Speed Date introduces a 10-minute demi-permanent color service designed to maximize chair time while delivering beautiful results. Faster services can mean happier clients and stronger revenue.
💛 Technology is making healthy hair easier.
Monday, June 15 | 11:00 AM EDT
Keratin Complex's NEW KCRIO Restorative Keratin System explores smoothing services that work across hair types, while
Monday, June 15 | 3:00 PM EDT
K18 University dives into biotechnology and molecular repair to elevate salon services.
💛 Customization continues to evolve.
Monday, June 15 | 11:00 AM EDT
Joico's CURL LIGHTS showcases highlighting techniques specifically designed for textured hair, proving that personalized services continue to drive client loyalty.
💛 Work smarter, not harder.
Monday, June 15 | 11:00 AM EDT
Pureology's Bridal Hairstyling & the Business isn't just about creating beautiful bridal looks. It's about pricing strategies, consultation flow, and building systems that help professionals grow without burnout.
💛 Scalp services continue to gain momentum.
Monday, June 15 | 12:00 PM EDT
Malibu C's Head Lab explores the growing scalp wellness category and how preventative services can help attract new clients and increase revenue.
The takeaway?
The future of beauty isn't about doing more. It's about creating smarter systems, delivering better results, and making every minute count.
(And if you’re reading this as a salon owner or educator — send your team. One class can shift an entire culture.)
👀 Watch This Space
(Jobs Worth Seeing)
👀 Watch This Space
BIBO Salon| 📍Oakland, CA
OPEN ROLES
Some salons chase trends. Some create a culture.
This week, we're spotlighting BIBO Salon in Oakland, California, a space that caught our attention for its quiet confidence and intentional approach to beauty.
Rooted in the creative spirit of Oakland, BIBO was built on the idea that beauty begins from within. Their philosophy goes beyond great hair—it's about creating an experience where clients feel seen and where artists have the freedom to refine their craft.
One thing we loved? They describe their salon as a "creative sanctuary." In an industry that can often feel fast-paced and chaotic, BIBO has intentionally created a calm, elevated environment that values artistry, education, and thoughtful client care.
They're currently looking for experienced hairstylists as well as chair renters who want to build their business in a collaborative space. Whether you're commission-based or independent, BIBO offers the kind of environment where careers are intentionally built, not just filled.
✨ Why we think it's worth watching:
A beautifully curated brand rooted in Oakland's creative culture.
Advanced education and a collaborative team environment.
Opportunities for both employed stylists and independent artists.
Premium retail partners including Kérastase, K18, L'Oréal Professionnel, Redken, and Kevin Murphy.
A philosophy that prioritizes both artistry and human connection.
It's finding a place that feels like home.
📍 Oakland, CA
💼 Hiring: Experienced Hairstylist + Chair Rental Opportunities
👉 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?
💥 Educator roles at Pureology, Matrix and Kérastase are now LIVE on BEAUTISTA.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a rising educator, this is your moment.
🔦 BEAUTISTA Spotlight
Adrienne West
📍 Brock, TX
🎓 Ogle School Graduate✨ Open to Opportunity
Some portfolios make you stop because of the photos. Some because of the experience. And some because of the story.
This week, we're spotlighting Adrienne West from Brock, Texas. Adrienne describes herself with four simple words: "Resilience meets radiance." After reading her portfolio, we'd have to agree.
A mom of five living the farm life, Adrienne is currently pursuing esthetics at Ogle School while building a career rooted in something bigger than beauty. Her story is one of loss, healing, faith, and finding purpose through helping others feel like themselves again.
One part of her portfolio really stood out to us: "I believe self-care is not a luxury—it's essential for your mental and emotional well-being."
That's a powerful perspective in an industry that often gets reduced to services and products. Adrienne reminds us that beauty can also be about confidence, healing, and giving someone permission to take care of themselves.
And she's putting in the work. Alongside esthetics school, Adrienne has built an impressive skill set that includes lash artistry, microblading, paramedical tattooing, aesthetic injections, permanent makeup, peptides, wellness coaching, and more. She's proof that learning doesn't stop after graduation—it's a lifelong investment in yourself and the people you serve.
✨ Why we think she's one to watch:
Mom of five balancing family, school, and entrepreneurship.
Ogle School esthetics student and scholarship recipient.
A growing portfolio of advanced beauty and wellness certifications.
A mission rooted in helping others heal, grow, and rediscover confidence.
At BEAUTISTA, we believe everyone has a story.
Adrienne's reminds us that sometimes the strongest people are the ones who have walked through difficult seasons and choose to become a light for someone else.
Want this for your students?
Reach out to hello@beautista.com and we’ll show you how to make it happen.
💫 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
🎓 School Leaders: Need Help Getting More Out of BEAUTISTA?
One of the biggest mistakes we see is schools launching BEAUTISTA once and assuming students will figure everything out from there. The schools seeing the strongest results are the ones that continue reinforcing it throughout the student journey.
That's why we've launched a recurring National Leadership Onboarding every second Tuesday.
In this live session, we'll show your leadership team how to leverage BEAUTISTA beyond just portfolios.
You'll learn how schools are using BEAUTISTA to support:
📈 Enrollment – Showcase student success stories, portfolios, and outcomes to prospective students.
📣 Marketing – Create shareable student work, school visibility, and stronger digital presence.
💼 Placement – Help students stand out to employers through portfolios, resumes, QR codes, and opportunities.
🤝 Student Engagement – Integrate BEAUTISTA into the classroom experience and keep students actively building their professional brand before graduation.
We'll also cover portfolio best practices, classroom launch strategies, curriculum integration, and answer your questions live.
Next Session:
📅 July 14, 2026
🕒 3:45 PM ET
💻 Live on Zoom
Whether you're brand new to BEAUTISTA or looking to increase adoption across your school, this session will help your team feel confident, aligned, and ready to maximize the platform for both students and school outcomes.
👉 Bring your questions. We'll answer them live.
Want to be featured on The TRIMM? Email us and we’ll take it from there: hello@beautista.com
💌 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.
Do you want to read last week's topic? Click right here!
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