From Stylist to CEO: Lessons from Jennifer Alvarez on Building a Thriving Salon Business Using a Virtual Assistant

In episode #71 of the Mirabella Mindset Podcast, host Nick Mirabella sits down with Jennifer Alvarez—a powerhouse salon owner, educator, and coach—to unpack the transformation from being behind the chair to becoming a true business leader. Whether you're a salon owner, stylist dreaming of more, or someone navigating leadership in the beauty industry, this episode is a must-listen. Here's what we learned.

🎯 The Identity Shift: From Artist to Entrepreneur

Jennifer opens up about the emotional and strategic leap she took when retiring from doing hair. The transition wasn't just professional—it was deeply personal.

“There was a weird period of ‘I’m not certain who I am,’ because I identified so much as the hairdresser—the artist.” – Jennifer Alvarez

This identity crisis is common in the industry. Many stylists delay letting go of clients out of fear or guilt, but Jennifer and Nick agree: the only way to scale is to fully commit to your next chapter.

“Just close your book off... or you’ll find yourself doing one client, then another, and suddenly you’re back behind the chair full-time.” – Nick Mirabella

The key? Calculated risk and timing. Jennifer waited until she had the systems, team, and mindset in place. But in hindsight, she wished she had taken the leap sooner.

📣 Communication is Leadership

As salons grow, the need for structured communication becomes non-negotiable. Jennifer’s choice to use Slack with clearly defined channels allowed her to stay connected without sacrificing her sanity—or her team’s boundaries.

“We use emojis to acknowledge messages and schedule non-urgent communications. When they’re off the clock, I want them to go live their lives.” – Jennifer Alvarez

This is leadership in action—balancing visibility and presence with respect for your team's time. It's not about being everywhere; it's about being intentional with how and when you show up.

🤖 Tech & Automation: Buy Back Your Time

Jennifer nerds out (in the best way) about systems and automations. From connecting platforms with Zapier to creating visuals that simplify workflows for her team, she’s on a mission to make business seamless.

“I get really fired up about creating something from nothing… where people instantly get a text, or a process just runs itself.”

Automation isn’t just for tech companies—it’s the secret weapon for modern salon owners. Whether it's lead generation, appointment confirmations, or onboarding systems, Jennifer proves that tech is leverage.

👩💼 Virtual Assistants: Scaling with Support

Struggling with time? Can’t keep up with the front desk? Jennifer has a solution: hire a VA.

But not just any virtual assistant.

Jennifer uses a U.S.-based company for front-facing tasks like phone calls and lead gen, ensuring clear communication and brand alignment. For behind-the-scenes tasks like PDFs or SEO, she outsources overseas. The magic? She invests in her best VAs by giving them support—building a micro-team to run operations efficiently.

“When I find a good VA, I buy back her time by hiring other VAs to support her.”

ROI isn’t just for marketing—Jennifer and Nick both emphasize tracking the return on your hires, whether they’re stylists, VAs, or coaches.

💡 Building a Team Culture That Lasts

Staff turnover? It’s usually not about the stylist—it’s about the system.

“If you think you’re hiring the right people, but they keep leaving, then your hiring process is broken.” – Nick Mirabella

The fix? A culture built on support, communication, and accountability. Jennifer’s leadership philosophy is simple yet powerful:

“I work for my team, not the other way around… When they win, I win.”

She’s not threatened by stylists who leave—she supports them. It’s a powerful reminder that in a saturated industry, an abundance mindset is your unfair advantage.

🧠 The Power of Coaching: Shortcut Your Success

Jennifer’s coaching business is rooted in one thing: experience. She’s been through the pain of learning everything the hard way—like spending months building her own website or fumbling through business systems.

“Coaching is about giving you the directions—where to turn, what to avoid. Otherwise, you’re wasting 10 years trying to figure it out.”

In a world where AI like ChatGPT and automation are changing the game, Jennifer and Nick agree: if you’ve struggled without them, you’ll value them more. But the tools are only powerful when paired with a coach who knows what they’re doing.

🚀 Final Thoughts: Lead Like a CEO, Not a Stylist

Jennifer Alvarez’s journey is a masterclass in growth: personal, professional, and strategic. Her story is a reminder that to build something bigger than yourself, you have to let go, build systems, support your team, and invest in your own development.

“I wish someone stepped into my life earlier and said, ‘You’ve got it in you. Let me help you get to the next level.’ That’s what I want to do for others now.” – Jennifer Alvarez

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