Brand Support Is Still There, But You Have to Pick the Right Partner
Here's the thing - too many salon owners feel completely abandoned by their color brands. "They only care about making money," is what I hear constantly. And you know what? With some of the big brands, that's exactly what's happening. But Ashley made something clear to me. Rusk is different. They're backing their salons with real education, transparent pricing, and products that are actually designed to help stylists succeed. This isn't marketing fluff - this is the kind of partnership that can actually move the needle in your salon. When I'm coaching owners through frameworks like EOS and the E-Myth, I always talk about the importance of strong partnerships. A brand that supports your team's education and gives you clear cost structures? That's a foundational piece of your salon's operating system. Without it, you're stuck firefighting instead of working ON your business.The Hidden Financial Drain That's Killing Your Profit
Let me hit you with some hard truth I see behind the scenes every day. Color services today are way more complicated and expensive than they were 10 years ago. Your stylists are mixing multiple bowls, they're toning, they're glazing, they're adding bond builders. Yet most salons are still pricing like it's 2015. Here's what this looks like in real numbers. You pay a stylist 50% commission on a $200 color service, but $60 of that service goes to product costs. You're not making real profit, and neither is your stylist. This is exactly why you're seeing burnout and turnover. The solution? You need to understand your true cost per mixed ounce. It's not just what you pay for the tube. You have to factor in the mixing ratio, the size of the tube, the cost of developer, and how many applications you get per product. When you break it down like this, you can price services to protect your bottom line and actually reward your team fairly. This is exactly what I help owners figure out when they work with me through the Level Up Academy.Using AI to Finally Understand Your Real Product Costs
I know technology can feel overwhelming, but here's something Ashley shared that blew my mind. She's using ChatGPT to input product SKUs, pricing, and mixing ratios to calculate the true cost per bowl. Think about this for a second. You can see exactly what each service costs you, build Parts & Labor pricing models that actually work, and create service menus that generate real profit instead of just looking pretty. I've started helping my coaching clients use tools like our pricing calculator combined with AI to stop guessing and start growing. It ties right back to the E-Myth principle - you're working ON your business, not just IN it.Why Rusk Gets It Right
In my 30 years in this industry, the best color brands balance quality with profitability. Rusk's line is formulated to give stylists the results clients want while helping salons control costs. That's what I call a win-win for everybody. When you combine solid product support with smart pricing and strong salon leadership, you build a business that runs without you and grows sustainably. This is exactly the kind of future I help owners create.Here's What You Need to Do Next
I'm going to be straight with you here. Not all color brands will support your salon the way you deserve. But the right partnership can be a real turning point for your team and your bottom line. And so if you want to learn how to build systems, price for profit, and lead a salon that actually thrives, you need to understand that being fully booked doesn't mean you're profitable. Stop guessing on your color brand support. Start taking control of your salon's future today. If you're ready to dial in your pricing, understand your real costs, and build a salon that works without you being there 24/7, apply for the Level Up Academy. It's time to stop working IN your business and start working ON it.Keep Reading
- Where Is All Your Money Going Every Month?
- Why Do Your Best Stylists Keep Leaving for Suites?
- What Does a Real Salon Turnaround Actually Look Like? (4 Case Studies From Inside Level Up)
Want to Go Deeper?
I recorded a video that goes deeper on this topic. Watch it here: The Truth About Product Lines, Clean Beauty & Salon Retail (w/ Jack Panico)
If you want the complete system for running your salon like a real business, check out The Mastery Bundle. It's four masterclasses with ready-to-use templates that cover everything from financials to team building to marketing.
Keep Reading: 7 Patterns That Separate Successful Salon Owners
Related: Salon Marketing Guide
