The VIP Suite at IMAGE Studios with Matthew Landis

Mika Toussaint, a renowned aesthetician from IMAGE Studios Dallas Galleria, has turned personal struggles into professional mastery. After battling hormonal acne and navigating profound personal loss, Mika developed Dallas Pro Aesthetics, a unique wellness practice that goes beyond traditional skincare by integrating nutrition, mental health, and personalized treatment plans. Her approach doesn't just heal skin, it empowers cl...

Grace Schafer is not your average hairstylist. A red hair enthusiast, cutting specialist, wedding artist, and certified extension artist, from IMAGE Studios in Grand Rapids, Michigan, she has carved out a unique niche in the beauty industry by combining her passion for theater, science, and hair design. With a keen eye for color theory and a commitment to educating her clients, Grace has built The Hair Lab into a thriving independe...

Alyssa Pablo shares her inspiring journey from salon manager to GlossGenius Brand Manager, offering invaluable insights into marketing strategies, retail sales, and work-life balance for independent beauty and wellness professionals. Discover powerful tools like AI-powered marketing, custom service packages, and simplified checkout processes that can help you scale your business, boost client retention, and express your unique prof...

In this episode of The VIP Suite podcast, host Matthew Landis welcomes Zoey Pearson, a salon suite entrepreneur who turned her single penthouse space into a thriving multi-suite head spa business. Zoey lead a viral TikTok movement that led to over $47,000 in gift card sales, a fully booked schedule, and hiring a dream team of professionals, all within the IMAGE Studios salon suite model.

Zoey opens up how she tackled imposter syndro...

Keri Mills is a successful hairstylist who built a thriving business at IMAGE Studios in Laguna Hills, California. Keri started her career at Supercuts, which provided valuable business experience, before moving to a high-end salon. Opening her own suite at IMAGE Studios gave her the freedom to tailor her business and services to meet the needs of her dream clientele.

Keri is killing it in her business using strategic marketing, foc...

Katie Brenner, owner of KTB Hair at IMAGE Studios Arapaho Crossing, Colorado, shares her remarkable journey from being an independent hairstylist to becoming a Global Artistic Director for Rusk Hair Care and Christian Michael Hair Extensions, and an Artist for a plethora of other national brands. She opens up about her determination, persistence, and the challenges she overcame to achieve success. Katie’s story is one of grit and a...

Matthew Landis sits down with the powerhouse duo, Desarai Mannelly and Emily Condle, co-founders of Sage Head Spa, to discuss their journey from longtime friends to successful business partners. Desarai and Emily share how their complementary strengths, mutual trust, and backgrounds as an esthetician and cosmetologist have fueled Sage Head Spa’s expansion from one location in Alpharetta, Georgia, to seven thriving locations across ...

April Benincosa, owner of four IMAGE Studios® locations in Salt Lake City, talks with Matthew about her evolution from hairstylist to successful entrepreneur and coach. April shares her transition from working behind the chair to managing multiple salons and becoming the first IMAGE Studios®  franchisee. She discusses the emotional decision to quit hairdressing after 24 years, creating additional freedom to pursue her passion ...

In this episode, Matthew welcomes Danny Argote, tattoo artist and founder of Ink and Art Collective at IMAGE Studios in Thornton, Colorado. Danny shares his artistic journey from tracing comic books to becoming a sought-after tattoo artist, including his work at San Diego Comic-Con. He sees parallels between tattooing and other creative fields, like hairdressing, and the duo agree on the importance of mastering the fundamentals bef...

Matthew chats with spiritual cosmetologist and healer, Juwan Deshawn, on how their spiritual gifts, once a source of isolation, have become integral to their work in the beauty industry. Juwan offers services that go beyond haircuts, including numerology, color magic, and Tarot readings, all rooted in the belief that energy is key to creating authentic beauty experiences.

Juwan and Matthew delve into the challenges and rew...

Matthew sits down with vivid hair color specialist Molly Butland to discuss the artistry, creativity, and dedication required to produce vibrant hair colors, from high school experiments to becoming a sought-after colorist known for creating bold, personalized styles. 

Matthew and Molly explore the importance of creative freedom and the value of creating a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere for clients. They discuss their experiences...

Christopher Johns, a 30-year veteran of the beauty industry built a career based on his passion for making a difference in his clients' lives. Based in Lexington, Kentucky, he shares the the joy he finds in his work and the satisfaction of being part of the Image Studios salon suite community.

Matthew and Christopher discuss the art of hairdressing, emphasizing the importance of personalization and creativity. They explore the ...

Matthew sits down with Meg Schmitz, a seasoned franchise owner and consultant, to delve into the intricacies of running a successful beauty, health, or wellness business. They explore the challenges faced by self-employed professionals, from mastering time management and financial literacy to achieving a harmonious work-life balance. 

Meg and Matthew share their experiences and offer practical advice on navigating the opportunities ...

Carlie Jo is a dynamic entrepreneur who has successfully built two thriving businesses in the beauty industry. Carlie shares how her relentless drive and passion have been key to her growth. Carlie also provides insight into her client base and how she has cultivated a loyal following by offering high-quality services and products.

Carlie opens up about the past six months, a period of significant growth for her extension line, whic...

In this compelling podcast episode, Matthew and Jason Fuentes from IMAGE Studios in Sparks, NV, dive into the inspiring journey of a dedicated father who made a courageous career shift to prioritize his daughter. Discover how Jason transitioned from a demanding corporate role where he spent over a decade, to pursuing cosmetology and owning his own business. As a single parent, the decision was challenging, but his commitment to bei...

Trina Peckenham, a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience, discusses her journey to specializing in hair extensions. Trina also advises aspiring specialists to find their "why" and invest in themselves through education, highlighting the importance of passion and connection with clients for success.

Matthew Landis delves into Trina's decision-making process regarding the type of hair extensions she off...

In this episode of The VIP Suite, Matthew Landis interviews acclaimed hair educator and mental health advocate Sarai Speer.  Sarai shares her inspiring story of overcoming addiction and homelessness to build a successful career in hair and the creation of The Balanced Stylist Society. She discusses hitting rock bottom at age 31 before getting sober and committing to personal and professional growth.

Sarai talks about the impact her ...

Eloise Blake and Talbott Anderson share their inspiring journey of building a thriving salon business from the ground up. From the moment they took a leap of faith together, their partnership blossomed into a remarkable entrepreneurial adventure. Discover how their complementary strengths - Talbott's prowess in business management and marketing, paired with Eloise's creative vision and passion for beauty, laid the foundat...

Discover the remarkable journey of Julee George, a seasoned hairstylist with 36 years of experience, as she shares insights from beauty school to salon ownership and the transition to becoming an independent stylist. Dive into her captivating story, filled with lessons learned, challenges overcome, and triumphs celebrated in the dynamic world of hairdressing.

Explore the nuances of building a thriving business with Julee's expe...