You save yourself.
- Jen Martinelli
- May 3
- 9 min read
"I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.”
🖤 From Jen: You Save Yourself.
Hi BEAUTISTA fam.
Last week I wrote about asking your older, wiser self for advice—the version of you who’s already been through it and is looking back, proud that you kept going when it was hard and stayed committed to your goals.
And then my entire feed started blowing up with Justin Bieber at Coachella. To be fair… I think everyone’s feed was blowing up with it. LOL. But if you saw it, you know this wasn’t just another performance. It was raw. Human. The kind of moment you don’t just watch—you feel.
If you missed it—Justin was on stage playing old videos of himself from YouTube and singing along with his younger self. At one point it looked like he was literally hugging that younger version of him. And I just kept thinking… what must that feel like? Standing there, looking at who you were, everything you went through, everything you carried… and being able to say, “We did it. We made it through. You’re safe. You’re loved.”
The synchronicity of writing about your older self and then seeing that right after… made me realize something. Last week was about looking forward—asking your future self for guidance. This week feels like the opposite. Looking back.
Because we all have that younger version of us. The one who felt insecure, unsure, not good enough. I was so moved as I watched the clips. It had me thinking about my own younger self… the version of me who was ten years old and didn't feel good enough. The young version of me who felt like I would never be as good as everyone else. I started thinking about what I’d say to her... "You’re strong. You’re worthy. You’re loved. We grow up and do great things. We’ve got this.”
There’s something really powerful about that. Healing isn’t always about doing more. Sometimes it’s about going back and giving yourself what you didn’t have in that moment—reassurance, safety, love. In the end… you save yourself. I always thought someone else would. Until I realized… it was always me.
xoxo
-Jen Martinelli
🚀 The Shift: Weekly Mindset + Strategy Upgrade.
Talk to Your Younger Self
There’s a version of you that still needs to hear something you never got.
Picture your younger self clearly
Say Something to them
What did you need to hear? "I'm proud of you." "You're going to be Okay." "You're stronger than you think."
Actually Hear and feel it.
Hug your younger self.
Your brain doesn’t separate past and present the way you think it does. When you go back and give yourself what you didn’t have—reassurance, safety, support—you’re not just remembering it… you’re rewriting it.
That younger version of you doesn’t just disappear. They come with you into how you show up today. Your confidence, your reactions, your beliefs… a lot of it started there. So when you go back and meet that version of you with something different? A magical shift occurs.
🎙️ In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
If you missed it this week… there was a LOT happening—and a clear shift in where the industry is going.
👉 Technical mastery is back
👉 Science is selling
👉 And the pros who understand why are winning
Here’s what stood out:
Blonding is getting more precise
From multiple REDKEN sessions to Blonde Solutions comparisons… this isn’t about “lifting” anymore. It’s about control, tone, and choosing the right system for the exact result.
Haircare is becoming the service
K18, iNOA, Biolage… the focus isn’t just color or styling—it’s repair, scalp health, and long-term hair integrity. Clients aren’t just buying results… they’re buying health.
Texture is still wide open
Mizani and OLAPLEX both doubling down on curls tells you everything. Most stylists still aren’t confident here—which means opportunity for the ones who step in.
Retail is getting smarter
Classes are tying product knowledge directly to revenue. Not “recommend this”—but why it works, how to prescribe it, and how to make it part of every service.
Content is expected—not optional
The COLOR WOW Reels class reinforces it. Your work isn’t just behind the chair anymore—it’s how clients find you in the first place.
👉 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.)
💻 Tech-Forward:
Where tech meets beauty (and your next big move begins).
Most people look at their schedule and see what’s booked. The next level is seeing what’s missing. Gaps. Short services. Missed add-ons. Days you shouldn’t even be open.
This is where AI becomes powerful—not for creating… but for optimizing.
Here’s how to use it this week:
Find hidden gaps in your schedule Paste your week and ask:
“Where are my biggest revenue gaps?”
It will show you openings you didn’t notice—and patterns in your downtime.
Figure out when you shouldn’t be working Ask: “Based on this schedule, what days or hours are consistently slow?” You might realize you’re open when demand isn’t there.
Maximize every appointment Ask: “What add-on services could I pair with these bookings to increase revenue?” This is where you increase your ticket without adding more clients.
Turn a “full” day into a higher-paying day Paste a booked day and ask:
“How could I restructure this schedule to make more money in the same time?”
That’s the shift.
Your schedule isn’t just a calendar.
It’s data.
What we're learning from Hiring Funnels:
Your job title is the funnel's first filter — and most people set it wrong.
Before anyone clicks your ad, before they watch your video, before they send a DM, they read your job title. That three to five word description is doing more work than most salon owners realize. It's not a label. It's a qualifying question.
We watched this play out in real time with one of our active campaigns. A client launched hiring for an esthetician — broad enough to attract applicants with general spa backgrounds who weren't actually the right fit. Mid-campaign, the team refined the title to reflect exactly what the role required: lash extensions, brow laminations, lash lifts. The language got narrower. The candidate pool got better.
That's the counterintuitive truth: specificity reduces noise. A broad title feels inclusive, but what it actually does is invite everyone — including everyone who won't work out. A specific title self-selects. The wrong candidate reads it and keeps scrolling. The right candidate reads it and feels like you wrote it for them.
The question worth asking before any campaign launches: if someone who isn't right for this role reads your job title, would they know that? If the answer is no, the title isn't doing enough work.
🔥 What’s Happening:
Virtual Live Events You Don’t Want to Miss
Next Live Virtual Classes
Next week is stacked—and the themes are clear:
👉 Specialization is winning
👉 Science-backed services are rising
👉 And the pros who understand why are leveling up faster
Here’s what to pay attention to:
Scalp + skin is becoming a category of its own
Advanced: Managing Peri + Menopausal Skin — May 4, 10:00 AM EST
Biolage Scalp Specialist Certification — May 4, 11:00 AM EST
This isn’t “extra” anymore. It’s a service lane—and clients are asking for it
Texture is still wide open
Texture Haircare Essentials (Mizani) — May 4, 11:00 AM EST
Most pros still aren’t confident here… which is exactly why it’s an opportunity
Barbering + color are blending
Barber Bleach 101 — May 4, 11:00 AM EST
Clipper Cutting (Johnny B) — May 4, 1:00 PM EST
Tapering, Fading + Business — May 4, 1:00 PM EST
Versatility is becoming the edge
Corrective work = premium positioning
Pravana Corrective Color — May 4, 1:00 PM EST
Malibu C Vivid Color Journey — May 5, 12:00 PM EST
Higher ticket. Higher trust. Bigger opportunity
Retail + results go hand in hand
Pureology Color Care Certification — May 4, 1:30 PM EST
Biolage Styling + Volume — May 4, 3:00 PM EST
When you understand the “why,” everything sells itself
(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
Hairsay Salon| 📍Kennilworth, IL
OPEN ROLES
Some salons are busy. Some salons are beautiful. And then there are the ones where people stay.
Hairsay Salon is one of those places. Tucked into one of Chicago’s most established suburban communities, this is a salon built on something you can’t fake—real relationships. Clients who have been coming in for decades. A team that has grown together over time. The kind of environment where people don’t just pass through… they build.
There’s an ease to it. Elevated, but not intimidating. Polished, but still warm. The energy feels consistent—which is exactly why clients stay loyal and books stay strong.
And that’s where the opportunity is.
For experienced stylists:
You’re not walking into an empty chair—you’re stepping into momentum. Established clientele, steady demand, and the ability to grow your book without starting from zero. If you’re ready to refine your craft and build long-term income, this is the kind of place that supports it.
For assistants:
This is where you learn the right way. Not rushed, not chaotic—intentional. You’re surrounded by professionals who take pride in their work and actually invest in the next generation.
For nail techs:
There’s a clear lane here. Clean, consistent, detail-focused services with room to build a loyal following over time—without the pressure of chasing trends if that’s not your thing.
And then there are the details that matter more than people realize:
Flexible scheduling that actually supports your life
401k (rare in this industry—and it says a lot)
A team that feels collaborative, not competitive
They were also named a Nextdoor Top Salon in 2024, which tells you everything about how they show up in their community.
This isn’t a “come and go” kind of salon. It’s the kind you grow into.
👉 Apply with your portfolio + watch the video to experience the space for yourself
🎤 Educators Wanted: Your Dream Role Just Went LiveReady 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
Marshay Wayans | Los Angeles, CA
Cosmo
From Brooklyn to Fenty Puma: A Career Built Without Limits
Some people find their lane in beauty. Others build a career that moves with them. Marshay Wayans is the second.
From Brooklyn to Los Angeles, her journey isn’t about staying in one box—it’s about expanding what’s possible within the industry. Hairstylist. Makeup artist. creative lead. entrepreneur. Fifteen years in, and still evolving.
What stands out isn’t just the experience—it’s the range. She’s worked across everything from behind-the-chair services to leading hair and makeup for full casts. Campaign work like Fenty Puma. Bridal. braiding. color. extensions. camera-ready looks. The kind of versatility that doesn’t happen by accident—it comes from staying curious and never getting too comfortable in one lane.
And that’s the real story here.
There’s a mindset shift happening in beauty right now. The professionals who are growing the fastest aren’t just doing one thing well—they’re building skill sets that allow them to move. Across cities. Across opportunities. Across different parts of the industry. Marshay embodies that.
Her work reflects culture, creativity, and adaptability. Her background brings depth. And her perspective—Dream it. Bigger.—feels less like a tagline and more like a strategy.
Because when you build a career this way, you’re not waiting for opportunities. You’re creating them.
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
This one is super simple… but a lot of people still don’t realize it.
We have hundreds of classes already recorded and ready to watch on BEAUTISTA. Not just what’s coming up live—what’s already happened. So if you’ve ever missed a class, couldn’t make the time, or just want to go back and learn something specific… it’s all there.
👉 Click “Watch” on any class
That’s it.
No waiting. No scheduling. Just instant access to education from some of the best in the industry.
Want to be featured on The TRIMM? Email us and we’ll take it from there: hello@beautista.com
💌 Pass It On
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Share The TRIMM with a fellow BEAUTISTA and help them grow, too.
Have you read our last week's blogs? Check it out here.