How to Build a Salon Team That Actually Stays | Samuel Bligh

What makes a salon team stay? Samuel Bligh, owner of Proper Hair Salon in Vancouver, joins salonMonster to talk about the long, real path from stylist to salon owner, and what he has learned about building a salon where people feel supported, clients feel connected, and growth does not come at the cost of culture. Samuel shares how he got started in the Vancouver hair industry, the moment he decided to open his own salon, and what it actually took to take over an existing space, renovate fast, keep the team steady, and slowly build something that felt like his own. This conversation goes beyond the usual salon ownership story. Samuel talks openly about the hard parts of managing people, the difference a strong salon manager can make, and why giving your team a clean, professional space is not always enough. For him, the real work is connection: making stylists feel appreciated, giving them support, and creating a place where their career can grow. You’ll hear about: ✅Samuel’s start in the Vancouver hair industry ✅Taking over and renovating his first salon space ✅The shift from stylist to salon owner ✅Why managing people became one of the biggest learning curves ✅How bringing in a salon manager changed the business ✅Building a hybrid salon with commission, chair rental, and contract work ✅Growing from 7 chairs to 15 chairs without losing the team culture ✅Why education still matters after 10, 15, or 20 years behind the chair ✅Staying creative with an established clientele ✅The role of community in building Proper Hair Salon ✅Why salon software choice became part of the bigger brand conversation For hairstylists, salon owners, barbers, nail artists, lash techs, independent beauty pros, and educators, this episode is a grounded look at what it takes to build a salon that is not just busy, but healthy, consistent, and built around people. Connect with Samuel Bligh: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samuel_prop... Follow salonMonster: Instagram:   / salonmonster   More salonMonster podcast episodes:    / @salonmonster   Start a 14-day trial: https://salonmonster.com/ Chapters 00:00 Meet Samuel Bligh of Proper Hair Salon 00:12 Starting in the Vancouver hair industry 01:32 Early salon experience, AXIS, and Davines 02:41 Going independent after 10 years behind the chair 03:41 The story of buying his first salon 06:00 Taking over the Dunsmuir salon space 06:04 Renovating the salon in nine days 08:41 The hardest part of becoming a salon owner 09:44 Finding Lisa and bringing in a salon manager 11:19 Why front-of-house support changed the business 13:38 The lesson Samuel would tell his younger owner self 16:12 Why ongoing education still matters 18:30 Moving Proper Hair Salon into a larger space 21:38 Building a hybrid salon model 22:59 Growing from 7 chairs to 15 chairs 24:36 Helping stylists take initiative with education 27:29 Staying creative with long-term clients 28:59 Mentors and staying excited after 22 years 31:03 Why community matters at Proper Hair Salon 32:07 Why Proper Hair Salon chose salonMonster 34:07 Closing thoughts