Katie sits down with her client Sam, owner of Essex Beauty & Aesthetics, to uncover how she built her super salon and fully booked training academy from scratch, all through apprenticeships, bold risks, and unstoppable passion.
Sam shares how she went from a garden cabin lash artist to owning one of Essex’s leading beauty training academies. You’ll hear the full story, including how she sold her house to fund her dream, built a thriving business model based on apprenticeships, and created a team that now runs the salon without her on the tools.
If you’ve ever dreamed of scaling your salon, growing your academy, or stepping into true freedom as a business owner, this is the episode to inspire your next move.
We go over:
- How Sam grew from a home lash artist to running a 6-figure super salon
- The real numbers behind apprenticeships and why they often earn 3× their wage
- Turning juniors into fully qualified team members (and future trainers!)
- Funding routes & satellite centre secrets for training academies
- How mindset shifts after our Marrakesh retreat changed everything
- The power of boundaries, weekends off, and building a management team
- Why apprenticeships are the future of the beauty industry
Ever wondered how salon owners scale to multiple locations while still keeping their sanity (and profits)?
In this episode of The Life of KG, Katie Godfrey sits down with her good friend and mastermind client, Callie, who went from working in pubs to building two successful beauty salons, each with its own unique concept.
You’ll hear how Callie:
- Opened a second salon faster than expected (and kept both thriving)
- Balanced the guilt of stepping back from treatments while leading her team
- Turned retail into a powerful profit stream (with record-breaking results)
- Built systems to run her salons without being chained to the chair
- Invested in personal growth to fuel business success
If you’re a salon owner, training academy, or beauty business boss who’s ready to stop winging it and start scaling, this episode is packed with raw truths, practical strategies, and major motivation.
🔗 Apply for Katie’s Mastermind and scale your beauty business → https://katiegodfrey.biz/application
📖 Grab Katie’s book Get Off the Tools → https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1917623070
👉 Connect with Callie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/callieannlashesandbrows
In this inspiring episode, Katie chats with Laura, a hair extension specialist from Scotland, who proves you can start from anywhere and build a thriving salon and training business.
From leaving a stable office job to taking a one-day extension course, Laura’s journey is packed with lessons on resilience, leadership, and never being afraid to go after what you want.
We talk about:
Building a warm team culture that clients love
Why ongoing training and mentorship matter in the hair industry
Surviving lockdown just days after opening her salon
Expanding into men’s hair systems and education
The importance of mindset, support networks, and taking risks
Connect with Laura here: https://www.instagram.com/lauralabonita_hairextensions?igsh=eTRvaGJqcWg0bzJ0
🎟️ Don’t miss out! Tickets are now live for Katie’s UK January event, a full day of high-level learning, game-changing speakers, and a community that just gets it. Seats are limited. Grab yours tickets here
💼 Ready to stop winging it and start scaling? Apply for the KG Mastermind today.
This podcast is a little different as Katie isn't hosting. But is part of this powerful collaboration and partnership that has never been done before, so had to share across the podcast platform.
We see time and time again, salons and clinics invest in machines hoping thats going to fix their business and bring in an influx of new clients.
Unfortunately thats not the case.
We also see people invest in machines and get the most basic of training so don't get the results.
Katie Godfrey, Chelsea from Skin 13 Training academy and The Contour Group come together to solve this problem. Supporting the industry like never before.
Please reach out to Katie on info@kgbusinessmentor.com or drop her a message on Instagram if you would like more info on machines so she can point you in the right direction.
In this episode of The Life of KG, Katie Godfrey sits down with Leanne, founder of All Eyes On Me in Scotland, to share her inspiring journey from lashing at home to running multiple salons and a specialist training school.
You’ll hear:
- How Leanne built her salons from scratch (with zero money in the bank!)
- The hard lessons of scaling to 2–3 locations and why she closed one after COVID
- Why email marketing now drives her biggest salon revenue (with 80%+ open rates)
- The importance of building a real USP in a crowded lash & beauty market
- Mindset, masterminds, and the power of community for business resilience
Leanne opens up about balancing growth with personal challenges, stepping out of treatments to work on her business, and creating training programs that actually support students long-term.
In this powerful episode of The Life of KG, I sit down with salon powerhouse and confidence coach Laura Bell.
Laura gets raw about her personal journey, how she rebuilt her life and business after heartbreak, grew a fully employed dream team, and now helps other beauty business owners rise with confidence.
- From being a single mum with major guilt
- To running a booming super salon in Cornwall
- To stepping into the coaching space with BIG results
We cover:
- Why she’ll never go back to self-employed staff
- The hardest time in her life, and how she kept her business going
- How she brings in 100+ new salon clients every month
- Why building a strong brand experience is a non-negotiable
- What new salon owners NEED to know before opening
If you're a salon or clinic owner, beauty educator, or want to grow a real business with freedom, this episode is a must-listen!
👇 Grab your notebook and tune in!
💼 Apply to the Mastermind: https://kgbusinessmentor.com/kg-mastermind/
🎟️ Get your ticket to our January event: https://katiegodfrey.thrivecart.com/mastermind-day/
📲 Follow Laura on IG: https://www.instagram.com/laurakathrynbell/
📲 Follow Katie on IG: https://www.instagram.com/kg_katiegodfrey/
GRAB YOUR TICKET TO MY LIVE EVENT HERE!
In this solo episode, Katie Godfrey opens up about something we rarely talk about in business, women’s health and how our cycles affect productivity, energy, and mindset. From living with PMDD to discovering how to optimise your business tasks around each phase of your cycle, Katie shares her raw personal experiences, practical tips, and the exact tools she uses to work smarter, not harder.
Whether you’re struggling with low mood, burnout, or wondering why some weeks you feel on top of the world and others you’re hiding under the duvet, this episode is a total game changer.
What you’ll learn:
What PMDD is and how it impacts your mental health
How to track your cycle and use it to structure your work week
Why women entrepreneurs need to ditch the hustle mindset
The 4 phases of the menstrual cycle and what kind of work suits each one
Simple self-care tips, plant-based support, and how to communicate your needs at home and work
How syncing your cycle can boost productivity, creativity, and wellbeing
Subscribe, rate, and review to help more women in business hear this message.
📩 Share this with a friend who needs to hear it!
See other options to work with me HERE
In this episode of The Life of KG, I’m joined by the incredible Chelsea, founder of Dermalase Clinics and Training Academy. From a converted garage to running two high-performing clinics and launching fully accredited VTCT laser and skin courses, Chelsea shares how she built a business rooted in purpose, and how she overcame burnout, mindset battles, and industry gaps to help others do the same.Whether you're a salon owner, laser clinic, beauty entrepreneur, or thinking about launching your training academy, this episode is packed with inspiration, real talk, and practical tips on scaling your business sustainably, with freedom.What We Cover:
Key Quotes:“Everything you’re avoiding is what’s holding you back in your business.”“Confidence comes from what you do in private, non-negotiables change the game.”“You’re not running a hobby, you’re building a business that feeds your family.”Connect with Chelsea here: / dermalase_skinclinic
Purchase "Get off the Tools" here
In this raw and powerful episode of The Life of KG, host Katie Godfrey is joined by her close friend and fellow beauty business owner Amy Lewis for one of the most honest conversations to date. If you’ve ever dealt with staffing challenges, toxic work culture, theft, or betrayal in your salon or clinic, this episode is an absolute must-listen.Together, Katie and Amy open up about:- The real reason salon owners consider shutting up shop- Creating a healthy and empowering team culture (and how it starts at the top)- The balance between hiring, firing, and trusting your gut- Legal and emotional boundaries when staff leave and start competing- The shocking and sometimes traumatic experiences they’ve faced, including theft, voodoo dolls, and false rumours- Why open communication with your team is essential for success- How to protect your business from client poaching and data breaches- Building long-lasting loyalty with clients and staffPlus, Katie gets deeply personal, sharing a moment in her business journey that nearly broke her, and how she made it through.This episode is your behind-the-scenes look at the reality of running a salon, spa, or aesthetic clinic. Expect truth bombs, laughter, hard lessons, and practical wisdom that every business owner needs to hear.
In this emotional and powerful episode, I’m joined by not one, but two incredible women, my mum, Karen (aka the original KG), and Amy, founder of Mooeys Group, who interviews us both.
We dive into the untold story of how my mum built Stepping Stones, a CIC-turned-charity that supported hundreds of vulnerable women through childcare, trauma support, and her iconic “Coffee, Cake & Chat” groups. You’ll hear how she started with just a vision, no experience, and a whole lot of purpose.
We explore the incredible parallels between my mum’s community work and the coaching, retreats, and masterminds I run today, without either of us realising how aligned our journeys were.
If you’re a woman in business, a coach, a mum, or someone who’s passionate about purpose, this one will hit you hard, in the best way.
You’ll hear:
The story behind “Coffee, Cake & Chat” and its ripple effect
Why small acts of kindness, like a friendship bag, can change a life
The raw truth about building something with no roadmap
How Amy connected all the dots between our stories
And… yes, we cry. A lot.
If you’ve ever questioned your path or felt alone in your journey, this episode will remind you that you’re more powerful than you think.
💫 Want to meet Karen in real life? Join us on a retreat:
👉 https://kgbusinessmentor.com/retreat-2025/
📲 Subscribe, rate, and review. And tag us if you cried too!
Want to see how you can work with me? Click here https://kgbusinessmentor.com
Whether you're a salon owner, a lash or brow tech, or you're thinking of adding permanent makeup to your treatment list, this conversation is going to light a fire under you.What We Cover:How Polly went from a bullied schoolgirl to confident business owner and trainerThe moment she discovered permanent makeup (spoiler: it was during a facial!)The power of calculated risks – including training, launching a clinic, and growing a teamWhy PMU is one of the most profitable services salons can offerHow to make your team more profitable with high-ticket servicesProtecting your investment when upskilling staffHow to build confidence as a leader (even if you’re a self-confessed softie)The real truth about being a mum in business, postnatal depression, and juggling both rolesWhy mastermind support is essential when you're growing and evolvingAnd SO much more real talk about mindset, motherhood, team dynamics and beauty business growthQUOTE TO REMEMBER:"The risk was scary, but it paid off tenfold. Permanent makeup changed my life, and it can change yours too." Polly VincentWATCH OUT FOR:→ The exact strategy Polly uses to help her students recoup their training investment in just weeks→ A behind-the-scenes look at how she trains her team and turns them into powerhouse PMU artists→ Why I (Katie) am seriously considering enrolling one of my team into Polly’s training!LISTEN NOW IF YOU:- Are thinking about adding high-ticket services like PMU- Want to know how to lead a successful team with heart AND high standards- Need support as a mum in business- Love real talk, actionable advice, and a good dose of inspirationIf you LOVED this episode, please screenshot, share, tag us, and leave a review. Let’s spread the word and support more women in business!Follow Polly here
In this powerful and inspiring episode of The Life of KG, Katie sits down with her client and friend, Georgia Jackson, founder of The Salon Box in Essex.
Georgia opens up about the full journey of building her dream salon, from working 14-hour days alone in a tiny back room to now leading a team of six, training apprentices, and earning recognition as a Remi Cachet Super Stylist.
Whether you're just starting out in the industry or looking to scale your business sustainably, this episode is packed with real talk, valuable tips, and reminders that the hard work is worth it.
What we cover in this episode:
- Georgia’s journey from apprentice to salon owner
- Building a clientele and brand from scratch
- The reality of burnout and learning to set boundaries
- How hiring an apprentice changed her life
- Choosing employed vs. self-employed teams
- Going VAT registered and what to prepare for
- Her game-changing experience on a business retreat
- Manifesting her dream brand collaboration (yep - it happened on my retreat!)
- How face-to-cam video transformed her confidence and content
This episode is for you if:
You’re thinking about opening your first salon
You’re struggling with team building and want real advice
You’ve ever questioned if it’s all worth it
You want to scale but still love being on the salon floor
You’re ready to grow a salon and a personal brand
Grab my £49 training to step out your business here!
Apply for the Mastermind NOW here!
Get my book "Get off the Tools" today
In this solo episode, Katie Godfrey talks about a topic she’s become known for: stepping out of your business to work on it, not in it. Whether you're a salon owner, clinic, or training academy, if you're feeling trapped behind the tools, this episode is your game-changer.
Katie shares:
The exact moment she knew she had to step away from her salon
How her business skyrocketed when she got off the floor
Why stepping back doesn’t mean stepping away forever
How to know when it’s the right time to reduce your client time
The mindset blocks that stop most business owners from delegating
How to build a sellable, scalable, and sustainable business
Why freedom, flexibility, and even retirement planning starts with this one shift
She also opens up about how her signature process was born, and how it’s helped hundreds of beauty business owners transform their lives.
Want to learn the step-by-step process to do this in your own business?
Grab Katie’s “How to Get Off the Floor” training for just £49, link above!
Please hit subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share this with a business friend who needs to hear it!
SIGN UP FOR A BUSINESS RETREAT HERE!
In this powerful episode of The Life of KG, Katie sits down with the incredible Jade Jones, a long-time friend, client, and total boss in the beauty and aesthetics space.
From being the first UK supplier of pre-made lash fans to building and closing a 6-figure lash brand (yes, by choice!) Jade’s journey is packed with insight, evolution, and proof that pivoting in business isn’t failure, it’s freedom.
We talk about:
- How Jade made £50k in ONE month selling a single lash product
- Why she chose to close a successful business at its peak
- The real difference between Medics and Non-Medics in aesthetics
- What’s really coming with the 2026 aesthetics regulations - Running a business as a single mum (and raising emotionally intelligent kids!)
- Building a strong personal brand and doing business your way
She also shares how she’s reinvested in her education, launching regulated Level 4 and 5 aesthetics qualifications, helping practitioners future-proof their careers and level up with confidence.
Whether you’re in lashes, brows, skin, or injectables, this episode will inspire you to stop caring what people think and start stepping into your next level.
Want to future-proof your aesthetics career? Jade now offers regulated qualifications (Level 4 & 5) designed to meet upcoming 2026 regulations.
If you loved this episode, please share on socials so we can reach more people.
GRAB "GET OFF THE TOOLS" BOOK HERE!
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BUSINESS RETREATS HERE!
Are robots about to give your next facial? Will AI take over admin, coaching, and even waxing?
In this jam-packed episode of The Life of KG, Double Trouble is back with a bold and hilarious take on what the future holds for the beauty industry.
Join Katie Godfrey and Amy Lewis. Automation, and advanced tech are already reshaping our world and what that means for salon owners, therapists, and beautypreneurs. From pod babies to robotic massages, we dive into:
- How beauty treatments might evolve (think lasers, tanning pods & AI hair washing)
- What AI tools we’re using right now to run our businesses faster and smarter
- The jobs most at risk, and how to stay future-proof
- Why connection, community, and customer experience will always win
- The dangers of cookie-cutter content and losing your brand’s voice
If you’re in hair, beauty, aesthetics, or coaching, you need to hear this. It’s funny, real, eye-opening and packed with practical insights to help you stay ahead of the curve.
🎧 Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your biz bestie!
JOIN MY BUSINESS RETREATS HERE
In this episode of The Life of KG, I sit down with powerhouse sales and mindset coach, Kayleigh Wilson. Kayleigh is known for her no-nonsense, straight-talking approach to helping business owners overcome limiting beliefs, step into their power, and master the art of selling with confidence.
We dive deep into Kaye’s journey, from working in corporate GDPR compliance to transitioning into the beauty industry, building a successful skin academy, and eventually stepping into coaching. She shares how her experiences with anxiety, financial struggles, and personal growth transformed her mindset and led her to help other entrepreneurs break through their own mental barriers.
If you're tired of feeling stuck in your business, scared to sell, or constantly chasing the next milestone without feeling fulfilled, this episode is packed with powerful mindset shifts that will help you create real, lasting success.
We talk about:
- Kayleigh unexpected career shift from corporate to beauty and coaching.
- The power of mindset in business and why your beliefs shape your bank account.
- How sales confidence impacts your success and why women struggle with selling.
- Overcoming fear of rejection and self-doubt in business.
- The real truth behind 10K months and why money alone doesn’t equal happiness.
- The importance of setting boundaries and avoiding burnout as a business owner.
- Daily habits and mindset shifts to help you step into the best version of yourself.
- Why gratitude, morning routines, and self-care are non-negotiables for success.
Follow Kayleigh on Instagram: @kayleigh.wilson.222
Loved this episode? Screenshot it, share it on your Instagram stories, and tag us @kg_katiegodfrey
Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and tune in every other week for more inspiring conversations to help you elevate your business and mindset!
In this episode of The Life of KG, I sit down with business simplification strategist and mum of three, Hayley Keeber. We discuss her incredible journey from working in corporate recruitment to running a growing business while balancing family life. Hayley shares how she transitioned from supporting mums in business to simplifying strategies for all entrepreneurs, helping them streamline their offers and reduce overwhelm.
She opens up about her personal struggles with infertility, the challenges of starting a business while raising children, and how she learned to prioritise time and automate tasks for business success. If you’re feeling overwhelmed in your business, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you simplify, strategise, and systemise for growth.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Hayley’s journey from corporate to entrepreneurship.
- How personal experiences led her to shift her business focus.
- The importance of business simplification and how to streamline offers.
- The power of automation in scaling a business.
- The mindset shifts necessary for business success.
- How to balance being a mum and running a successful business.
- The value of joining a mastermind for accelerated growth.
Connect with Hayley:
Instagram: @hayleykeeberstrategist
Join the Conversation: If you loved this episode, tag us on Instagram and share your biggest takeaway! Don’t forget to leave a review and subscribe for more inspiring episodes.
Follow Katie Here @kg_katiegodfrey
Apply for the mastermind here:https://forms.gle/1kACFBwJ1qVtkfwPA
Have a FREE clarity call here:https://calendly.com/d/cnb7-3rv-xjq/kg-clarity-call
See more & testimonies here:https://kgbusinessmentor.com/kg-mastermind/
This is your sign, this is your chance!
Stop making excuses and join the mastermind that can potentially change your business & your life!
Find out:
- What are the different levels to the mastermind
- Listen to some client wins
- Listen to what’s stopping you & why this needs to change
Any questions, drop me a message. I hang out on Instagram the most @kg_katiegodfrey
In this very special solo episode of The Life of KG, I’m finally sharing my BIGGEST life and business announcement yet… I’M MOVING TO DUBAI!
This move is a dream I’ve been working towards for years, and in this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of why we’re making this leap, what it means for my family, and exactly how I’ve created the kind of business that gives me the freedom to work where I want, when I want, and still generate income.
I also break down:
Why Dubai has always felt like home
What’s happening to KG Salon, KG Professional, and my coaching business
How I’ve built businesses that run without me
The truth about taxes in Dubai (spoiler: it’s not why we’re moving!)
Our plans for homeschooling, lifestyle changes, and what this move really means for us as a family
My mindset around taking risks, building freedom, and creating a life on your terms
PLUS, I get real about the emotions, fears, and excitement behind the move , including leaving my amazing mum behind.
Whether you're a salon owner, beauty boss, or aspiring entrepreneur, I hope this episode inspires you to chase your dreams, no matter how big they feel.
PS: My new book Get Off the Tools is OUT NOW on Amazon! grab your copy now! https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1917623070
PSS: My Mastermind applications are now open. Apply here:
https://kgbusinessmentor.com/kg-mastermind/
🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Apply To Join The Mastermind Here
Join The Next Business Retreat Here
Feeling stuck in your beauty business? In this episode, we dive deep into what it really takes to scale, sell, or franchise a salon, clinic, or training academy.
If you've ever thought, "I'm done with my business" or wondered if you could sell it for a profit, this is the episode for you.
We break down:
- Why so many salon owners feel burnt out post-COVID
- How to turn your business into a sellable asset rather than an emotional burden
- The real talk on franchising vs. scaling and which path is right for you
- What it takes to sell your beauty business profitably and not just shut the doors
- How to remove emotions from decision-making and start thinking like a CEO
We also share behind-the-scenes stories from Katie's business retreat, where salon owners had massive mindset shifts and left with game-changing strategies to grow or exit their businesses successfully.
If you're feeling tired, stuck, or just unsure about the next steps in your beauty business, this episode is packed with insights that could change everything for you!
Time-stamps & Key Topics
1:00 - The problem with the "you can’t make money in beauty" mindset
5:00 - Why salon owners struggle to find their tribe & the power of retreats
12:00 - How business has changed post-COVID & why it feels harder
20:00 - The truth about salon managers & why finding the right one is tough
26:00 - How to know if your business is actually sellable
33:00 - The biggest mistake salon owners make when trying to sell
38:00 - Thinking like a CEO: Why removing emotions is key
44:00 - Franchising: Could your salon be the next big brand?
📲 Follow KG on Instagram: @kg_katiegodfrey
📩 DM us your thoughts on the episode! Let’s chat about your business goals.
🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe! If you found this episode valuable, leave us a review and share it with a fellow salon owner who needs to hear this!