Running a salon is hard. You don't have to go it alone.

Practical, straight-talking coaching from someone who's actually been there.


I'm Amy Pal. Starting in 2016, I created and ran Whip Salon: hiring teams, navigating staffing drama, setting prices, managing growth, solving problems and making plenty of mistakes along the way.


I grew my business to six locations across two states, and after 10 years, sold it in 2026. Now I help salon owners make better decisions, solve their most urgent problems, and build stronger, more resilient, more profitable businesses. Businesses that work for them today and have real value when they're ready to move on.


Whatever's going on with your salon, I can help you figure it out.

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10 Years as an Owner/Operator

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6 Salon Locations

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4 Salons in Connecticut

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2 Salons in South Carolina

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80+ Team Members

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45,000+ Services per Year

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$5MM Annual Revenue

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2,400+ 4.9 star Google ratings

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Successful Exit 2026

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I've been where you are.

I started in 2016 with a degree in marketing but no experience in the hair industry, so I had to learn everything the hard way.


I've built salons from scratch and faced crazy permit, buildout and inspection issues. I've bought existing salons, converted them to my brand, and absorbed and retrained their teams. I developed a franchise and managed franchisees.


Having hired hundreds of stylists and front desk employees, I've experienced just about every staffing and HR issue you can imagine. I've had to let good people go who couldn't perform. I've had to fire top earners who couldn't get along with the team. I managed a walkout right after the pandemic. On the positive side, I developed a culture, career path and pay structure that allowed my staff to feel happy and fulfilled.


I've dealt with break-ins, floods, hair services gone (very) wrong, angry clients, 1-star Google reviews, chargebacks. I've negotiated multiple commercial leases. I've had to close an under-performing location. I had to move another location twice within a year to work around lease issues (it worked out!) I've been sued, and I've had to sue to protect my business.


Most importantly, I've had the honor of watching scores of stylists build amazing careers in my salon company as they rose through the ranks from associates to senior stylists. I had the pride of hearing from thousands of clients who felt beautiful because of the services we provided. I've celebrated countless wins. Many more wins than losses.


And through everything I kept a sharp eye on the P&L, careful to build a business that was not just successful in the present but which would have real value to someone else in the future.


It did. I sold it in 2026 and the company continues to grow and thrive under new ownership.


Now I'd love to put everything I've learned to work for you.

What's keeping you up at night?

Salon ownership can throw a hundred different problems at you. Here are just a few examples of what I can help with.

We're busy. So where's all the money?

Pricing, expenses, payroll, wage efficiency, margins and understanding where your money actually goes.

Managing my team is killing me!

Hiring, firing, compensation, accountability, leadership, culture and difficult conversations.

Everything depends on me. I can't take a day off!

Systems, delegation and building a salon that doesn't require the owner to solve every problem.

I want to grow. But should I?

More chairs? Another location? An acquisition? Let's figure out what kind of growth actually makes sense.

We're not busy enough, we need more clients!

Retention, referrals, marketing, promotions and improving the overall client experience.

I have to make a decision, and I'm stuck.

A problem employee. A lease decision. A compensation change. An opportunity you're not sure about. Sometimes you just need someone who's been there to talk it through with you.

Three ways we can work together

Whether you need a little help or a lot, there’s a way to work together that fits your needs, your schedule and your budget.

One-on-One with Amy

One-off coaching sessions

Have a problem to solve, a decision to make, or something you want an experienced second opinion on? Book time with me and let's work through it together.

Amy in Your Corner

Ongoing monthly coaching

Ongoing one-on-one coaching for salon owners who want advice, accountability and support as their business evolves.

Classes & Workshops

Practical training for salon teams & teams

Workshops, masterclasses and events covering subjects such as front-desk excellence, leadership, profitability, client experience and salon operations.

What It’s Like to Work with Amy

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"Amy has completely shifted the way we think about the future of our business. Her firsthand experience in the salon industry has helped us approach growth, expansion, and our long-term exit strategy with so much more clarity and intention."

Lindsey Gustafson

Owner, Stranded Salon

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"Working with Amy has taught me more about clear leadership and staying organized than anyone else in this industry. She's the kind of person who tells you the truth about your business, then helps you fix it."

Jessica Dudley

Owner, Jessica's Color Room

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"Amy knows the salon industry inside and out. I truly value her expertise, honesty and commitment to the business. She understands what it takes to build a strong salon while also creating opportunities for the people who work there. I’ve learned so much from working alongside her over the years."

Crissy Kelner

Master Stylist, Whip Salon

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"Amy nailed the 6 P's of a successful business, which made all the difference in achieving a highly profitable exit. Her industry mastery and flawless execution make her a powerhouse who any salon owner would be lucky to work with."

Michelle Seiler-Tucker

Author of Exit Rich

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The salon pal you can call when you need one.

Salon owners don't need another complicated framework, online course or inspirational speech. They need an experienced mentor who understands salons, asks good questions and helps them make better decisions.

Follow @yoursalonpal

Keep in Touch

Leave your email and I’ll occasionally send along a useful idea, a new class or event, or something I think salon owners might want to know about.


Low volume. No spam. I'll never sell your information.

What's going on with your salon?

Chances are, I've been there before. Let's talk!