The Starting Messy Podcast

From Undercover "Cop" to Salon Owner: Building a Business Beyond the Chair w/ Alison Rodriguez

What happens when a former undercover police decoy becomes a salon owner, educator, and global business mentor?In this episode, Misty Jayne sits down with Alison Rodriguez, co-founder of two successful salons and creator of Mastermynd Beauty, to talk about growth, reinvention, and building a sustainable career in the beauty industry.Alison shares her unconventional journey—from working undercover with law enforcement as a teenager to opening and scaling multiple salons, training over 100 stylists, and eventually stepping into education, events, and global mentorship for salon owners and hairstylists.This conversation is a must-listen if you’re a hairstylist or salon owner who:Feels stuck doing the same thing and craving more growthIs overwhelmed by social media, business decisions, or leadershipWants to move beyond just “making money behind the chair”Is curious about education, mindset, automation, and long-term sustainability

Why Personality Matters More Than Skill in Building Dream Clients w/ Kati Whitledge

What if the key to better clients, higher retention, and less burnout behind the chair wasn’t more skill… but better alignment?In this episode, Misty sits down with Kati Whitledge, founder of Maya and Host of Beyond The Technique Podcast, to talk about why who you work with matters just as much as what you do.This conversation goes beyond marketing and tech. It’s about building a career you don’t want to escape from, attracting clients who respect you, and creating success that actually feels good.If you’re a hairstylist or salon owner who’s tired of feeling drained by your schedule — this episode will hit home.

The Over-Education Trap in the Hair Industry w/Aryn Detres

In this episode of the Starting Messy Podcast, Misty sits down with Aryn Detres, founder of The Left Brain Group, to unpack the overconsumption problem in the hair industry—and why more education isn’t always the answer.If you’re a hairstylist or salon owner who’s taken all the classes, saved all the screenshots, and still feels stuck… this episode is for you.

Are you investing in the right education? w/ Jodie Brown

In this episode, Misty Jayne joins Jodie Brown, the host of the Hairstylist Rising Podcast to break down one of the most misunderstood topics in the beauty industry: the real difference between coaching, mentoring, education, and consulting and why more information isn’t always the answer.This conversation is for hairstylists and salon owners who feel stuck despite being talented, booked out, and knowledgeable. We talk about why overlearning can become a form of avoidance, how fear and identity play a bigger role than skill gaps, and when it’s time to stop searching for answers and start looking inward.In this episode, we cover:Why having all the strategy doesn’t guarantee actionThe difference between a coach, mentor, educator, and consultantHow coaching helps uncover the real reasons you’re stuckWhy confidence comes from action, not more classesHow people-pleasing, fear of being seen, and overthinking show up for stylistsWhen to hire a coach vs when education is actually the right moveWhat “Starting Messy” really means (and why your mess isn’t the problem)If you’ve ever thought, “What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I just do the thing?” this episode will feel like someone finally turned the lights on.

Why hire a life coach in the beauty industry?

Looking for support? Click here to Master Your Mess In this episode, Misty Jayne breaks down why life coaching can be one of the most supportive tools for hairstylists and salon owners—especially those who are booked out, successful on paper, but feeling burned out, overwhelmed, or disconnected behind the scenes.This isn’t about business strategy, marketing tactics, or raising your prices for the 47th time.It’s about separating who you are from what you do, regulating your nervous system, setting boundaries without guilt, and understanding why money stress is often about much more than money.