The VIP Suite at IMAGE Studios with Matthew Landis

Alyssa Pablo, Brand Manager at GlossGenius on Time-Saving Technology and Business Growth Strategies

• Season 4 • Episode 26

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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 professional identity.

Dive into the world of beauty entrepreneurship with Matthew Landis and Alyssa Pablo from GlossGenius in this game-changing podcast episode. Learn how innovative salon software can transform your business by streamlining booking, payments, and client management, helping beauty professionals save time, increase revenue, and create seamless client experiences.

To learn more, check out their website: glossgenius.com

To sign up for GlossGenius, use the link: https://bit.ly/IMAGEPROALLIN and coupon code IMAGEPROALLIN. 



The VIP Suite is the official podcast of IMAGE Studios, created for independent beauty, health, and wellness professionals who want to grow their businesses and thrive in salon suite life. Hosted by Director of Education, Matthew Landis, each episode shares real success stories, marketing tips, and business strategies from top beauty entrepreneurs and wellness leaders.

This episode is sponsored by GlossGenius, the all-in-one salon software designed to help independent professionals book appointments, accept payments, manage schedules, and build strong beauty brands. Learn more at glossgenius.com.

Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Connect with us on Instagram @imagestudios360 and visit imagestudios360.com for more information about IMAGE Studios luxury salon suites. New episodes drop every two week. Subscribe to hear how beauty and wellness professionals like you are building powerful, independent careers.

Matthew Landis:

Welcome to the VIP suite, the podcast for Salon Suite professionals who are building bold, brilliant businesses. I'm your host. Matthew Landis, former salon owner, business coach and lifelong advocate for entrepreneurs in the beauty and wellness industry. Each week we spotlight industry MVPs, from hairstylists, estheticians, nail and lash artists and a wide array of solo entrepreneurs who are creating success on their own terms. You'll hear strategies for marketing, client, growth mindset and overall Salon Suite success, plus honest conversations about what it really takes to thrive. This season, we're going even deeper into growth, grit, community and all the messy magic that comes with carving your own path. So hit subscribe, turn up the volume, and welcome to the VIP suite where independent beauty and wellness pros come to shine. Hey, IMAGE Pros, your business deserves booking, payment and client management tools as elevated as your space. That's why GlossGenius, the top rated salon software, is included in your lease at all-inclusive locations, giving you everything you need to grow your business with less busy work with one flat 2.6% payment processing rate, you can save 1000s on hidden fees. Clients can book in just 30 seconds with no app downloads or logins. On average, businesses see a 27% plus increase in revenue within the first year on GlossGenius. So sign up today with coupon code IMAGEPROALLIN and select your location to start making the most of GlossGenius. Joining me today on the VIP suite is Alyssa Pablo, Brand Manager at GlossGenius, the software with everything you need to run and grow your business. Hello, Alyssa.

Alyssa Pablo:

Hi Matthew. Thanks so much for having me today.

Matthew Landis:

First of all, for our listeners, can you tell us a little bit more about GlossGenius? What is it?

Alyssa Pablo:

GlossGenius does online booking and payments for salons and spas, so we do all of your business management and client care to run and grow your business with less of the busy work.

Matthew Landis:

I love it, and it is the best listeners. I'm telling you, I use it, I love it.

Alyssa Pablo:

I'm so happy to hear you love it every time. And we're also really proud to be partners with IMAGE as well.

Matthew Landis:

Well, I'm a super fan of GlossGenius. You know, I only started using the IMAGE Pro app by GlossGenius because at IMAGE Studios, it's what we recommend, and we're partnered with GlossGenius just to be completely transparent. And I only joined us to sort of toe the corporate line. I was very happy with the software that I was using or had been using for 10 years, so I signed up for GlossGenius. I signed up for the white glove service. They imported all of my information for free, including the contact information for my clients, my calendar, all of my client notes. Everything was imported for me, and the minute I opened it up, I swear, I swear, within a few minutes, I was like, oh my god, I love this. It is amazing. And I've been a super fan ever since so for the last five years. And what I noticed in a lot of industry, chat groups, on in a lot of online communities, this is the number one for software users, for super fans, like people go crazy, for glass genius, and what it can do for their business. So I'm a little bit curious also just about your background and how you got involved with GlossGenius in the first place.

Alyssa Pablo:

My career in the beauty industry started when I was in San Francisco. I managed a hair and a lash salon, and with makeup, was doing everything from theater makeup to events and bridal and then after school, I started my own social media agency with a range of clients, from salons beauty schools to yoga and Pilate studios. It was in 2016 when the opportunity came up to be a social media manager at gloss genius, which was a perfect blend of both of my worlds. I also worked out of a Salon Suite myself at one point running a jewelry brand surrounded by beauty professionals and other creatives. So I'd say all these years I've really immersed myself in our industry, and yeah, and it's been wonderful ever since

Matthew Landis:

You really have immersed yourself in this industry. So So tell me what excites you the most about working in this industry with beauty and wellness professionals.

Alyssa Pablo:

Beauty and wellness professionals have the best job in the world. They get to help people feel beautiful and confident, and I love that. With glossiness in my role today, and with our technology, I get to empower them to do that.

Matthew Landis:

I too, love this industry. I've been in it for 30 years. It's the best choice I've ever made, and it's really hard once you know, I think once you're in this industry, you can never get out of it, because there's just nothing more fun. Yes, I totally agree with you. I'm curious, what is your personal philosophy? What is your why?

Alyssa Pablo:

I'll say that identity and self expression has always played a big role in my every day. I'm a very creative, expressive person, as our industry is, which is why i think i. Landed in the beauty industry and how I landed in a brand role today. For me, I think it's so important to be unapologetic about who you are and be fearless in expressing yourself. I am a queer, Asian, feminine woman based out of Detroit, and I have so much pride in that and in my identity and in my city, and I think that's why I care so deeply about the work that I do. I'll tell you this, I always think about the moment in the salon or spa, and what happens within the moment that the service is done and the client looks in the mirror, what's happening is they're looking at a reflection of themselves, asking themselves, is this how I want to show up in the world and say, This is me? And then the professional, as you know, is a holding their breath, in their quest, in their head, questioning, did I do a good job? Does she like it? It's all one big moment, and everything that we're doing banks on this one moment of self expression for everyone. And so tying this back to my own personal philosophy and what I do, I love that I can express myself through my work, and also know that gloss genius creates a space for customers to also express themselves.

Matthew Landis:

Thank you for sharing that. So what is one thing about GlossGenius and it's culture that makes you the most proud to be a part of it.

Alyssa Pablo:

Oh my gosh, I'd have to say it's our community. It always feels like a conversation with them, and I always feel really connected with them, whether it's a product feature launch that we just did, or a campaign that we're running, or even our community on social, we always just get the most vibrant, exciting response from our customers. They feel really connected to each other. And we have a great team, especially our social media team, who really helps our team see all of those responses from customers as well for our pros, who are new to GlossGenius.

Matthew Landis:

What is one feature that they should check out first?

Alyssa Pablo:

It's hard to choose just one. I will tell you that one of my favorite features is definitely our booking websites, so clients can book themselves with a beautiful website that showcases your brand in 30 seconds. What we've seen with other solutions is clients would have to download an app remember a password, and with gloss genius, you don't this also helps pros not have to text or DM clients back and forth. And you can display your services beautifully so that clients actually know what they're booking as well with you. And then with the booking site, booking controls and cancelation policies also allow pros the confidence for clients to do this on their own. I know that's a big fear that some professionals have, whether they're coming from pen or paper or just doing it themselves. You can have clients book at your control, whether it's setting your desired increments, having them fill out a form or waiver. So it has everything you need to feel really good about how clients are booking with you, right?

Matthew Landis:

When I opened my glass genius for the first time, one of the things that surprised me the most and delighted me the most was this personalized website, because I had spent 1000s of dollars and countless hours over the years trying to create the perfect website, trying to create the perfect booking system that people could book their appointments online, and to just have it done for me for free. And it only took, like, a couple minutes, and it was included in the cost of the app. Like that was shocking to me, and I was like, oh, where has this been for so long? And also to make it so easy for clients, because as a client myself, I like to pay for my services. I have lots of friends in this industry. I could probably get it done for free, but I love paying for it. I love having the client experience. And one of the things I love about blushing is is how easy it is to book those appointments without having to set up a username and an account and all that kind of stuff. So that is definitely something that that I really love. And those notifications and those abilities to sort of customize your policies and procedures for clients, that's a huge thing. And I know I again, I read in these online comments, there's so many questions about cancelation policies and and taking deposits and important things like that. So it's such a great tool to be able to do that.

Alyssa Pablo:

I mean, the client experience that you give them with booking with you is so important. It's it can essentially be, sometimes their first impression of you right, with the work that they see, with how they actually get an appointment. So it's so important to make it easy and fast.

Matthew Landis:

So what are some of the biggest challenges you think that beauty entrepreneurs face, that GlossGenius can help solve for them?

Alyssa Pablo:

Oh my gosh. Well, I was just saying fast, right? And so I think time is a really big emotional hurdle that pros face these days. I saw this quote the other day speaking to business owners, saying. Saying I didn't want to work the nine to five, so I decided to work 24/7 which is so true for beauty and wellness professionals. I'm sure you understand, after a long day working with clients, they're still texting you, you still have to look at your numbers, you still have to take care of your teammates or run payroll. The list goes on which can take so much time. So I think the real pain point is that there's not enough time in the day, and we want to be able to grow more with with less busy work.

Matthew Landis:

Here's the thing. I always say, you can always make more money, but you can't make more time.

Alyssa Pablo:

And the same amount of hours as Beyonce. I don't know why.

Matthew Landis:

That's true, me and Beyonce, you and Beyonce listener, it's true, though. Like when you run your own business, you are the business, and you do work 24/7, because even when you're not doing it, you're thinking about it Hey, IMAGE Pros, your business deserves booking payment and client management tools as elevated and modern as your space. That's why GlossGenius's top rated salon software is included in your lease at all-inclusive locations, giving you everything you need to grow your business with less busy work. With one flat 2.6% payment processing, you can save 1000s on hidden fees while offering your clients with smooth checkout experience, clients can book in just 30 seconds with no app downloads or logins so you never miss an opportunity, plus AI powered marketing and automated wait list helps fill your schedule so you can focus on what you do best. Managing your business has never been easier. With unlimited appointment reminders, forms and waivers built into booking, payroll and time tracking, performance insights and goal setting, tools and more. On average, businesses see a 27% plus increase in revenue within the first year on GlossGenius, no extra cost, no extra setup, just a powerful tool to help your business thrive. Your IMAGE Studios membership includes the best technology to support your success. So sign up today with coupon code IMAGEPROALLIN and select your location to start making the most of GlossGenius! To sign up for GlossGenius, use

this link: https:

//bit.ly/IMAGEPROALLIN

Alyssa Pablo:

So it's so important to have the tools that can take the admin out of your busy schedule, because if you don't, then it's going to be harder to scale. You're not going to be able to grow as fast as you want, and you're going to have less time with clients, but most importantly, less time for yourself. So that's what I love about what glossiness does for professionals. Again, with features like online booking and client reminders, it's really built to take the stress out of scaling your business.

Matthew Landis:

I love that. You know, one of the things I talk a lot about with people speaking of time is the checkout. My checkouts went from probably about five minutes on average to less than two minutes on average. And I tell people this, the checkout for a professional is the most stressful part of the service.

Alyssa Pablo:

It's so stressful and sometimes so awkward, right? Because you're like,

Matthew Landis:

Oh my gosh, I hope she likes it. I hope she thinks it's pretty she says she likes it, but I'm not so sure. So you're dealing with all of this sort of anxiety about how good you did, and the look on her face, and you have all the psychological stuff going on. Then you got to ask her for money. Then you're recommending retail. You're hoping she takes home the retail that you recommend. Then you're hoping that she read books with you. So you're saying, you know, let's visit you again in this amount of time, plus the whole time all of this is going on. You have somebody else waiting out in the hall for their turn.

Alyssa Pablo:

Yep, our mind is going in just circles and swirls exactly

Matthew Landis:

so you want something that is going to be fast. And one of the things I love about being able to take their credit card deposit when you check out, it reminds you to ask them if they want to rebook another appointment. You can include the retail it just moves so seamlessly and so fast. I cannot emphasize how important the time involved in a checkout and the smooth process is, and that was a huge thing for me.

Alyssa Pablo:

Oh yeah, we're known for a 32 second checkout, and speeding these speeding up these transactions, really creates a seamless client experience. Another thing with Checkout, I'll tell you, is, I just got back from premier LA and talked to a ton of professionals who didn't know how much they're paying for payment processing per transaction, which blew my mind. We have low, flat rate payment processing, and we've seen businesses save 1000s of dollars. I think this is just a payment processing is very sneaky for professionals. And so when it comes to checkout, that's also extremely important to keep in mind too, because it's those little things that add up.

Matthew Landis:

Yeah, I think you're right. Most people don't pay attention to what they're paying in credit card fees. You know, for me, it was just a sort of fact of life. But then when I again, when I signed up for gloss genius, that 2.6% flat rate, no matter how you take the card, no matter what card it is, it may it saved me about $1,500 a year. Now that's $1,500 that I would rather put in an investment account or take with to Puerto Vallarta with me to have a vacation like I would rather have that $1,500 for myself and for my family than to give it to credit card companies.

Alyssa Pablo:

This is money you could be earning for sure.

Matthew Landis:

I want to know if you could share a success story from a salon pro who has used GlossGenius to transform their business.

Alyssa Pablo:

I can share one of my favorite hacks we've had a professional use our genius AI and marketing tools, and she wanted to send out an email campaign getting clients back in genius AI is an incredible feature, and just a touch of a button, it can help you personalize campaigns based on what you tell it to do. And so this professional sent out. She had Genius AI write her email. She sent out the email trying to get clients back in, and she saw over $1,500 worth bookings within one hour.

Matthew Landis:

That's incredible. What are some other hacks? You mentioned hacks, and this isn't necessarily a hack, but one of my favorite features that's surprising. Surprised me the most was when I'm finished with an appointment, I get a text message from glass genius saying, Oh, you must have finished your appointment with Alyssa. Do you have any notes that you would like for me to leave in her file? Oh, yeah, just text back those notes to glass genius and it will automatically put it in your in your file, and before I had, like, index cards in the back, or I had to open up the app, and I had to go back in and put them in. This is amazing.

Alyssa Pablo:

We love client notes. It really helps you personalize your your clients experience, and just helps you remember, you know what you did last time that they want you to do this time. I know professionals use it to remember, whether birthdays, anniversaries or things that they've shared, because you're not only just professionals, you're also therapists, right? So sometimes it's helpful to remember those life milestones that's happening with clients. Another favorite is definitely the rebooking reminders to make sure clients never miss a rebooking. We've also seen this drive over 90% plus retention for customers, getting them back in. So it's so important to have your rebooking reminders turned on.

Matthew Landis:

Alright, Alyssa, let's switch gears here for a second. Because you come from a social media marketing background. You have a lot of marketing experience, so you're an expert in the scaled what are some ways that our pros can use their gloss genius app in their marketing strategy?

Alyssa Pablo:

So definitely sending out email and text campaigns to promote more bookings. What I love about our marketing features is you can filter this by certain clients that you want to target. So you can target clients who maybe you haven't seen in a while, or maybe you want to target some of your most valuable clients, the ones who spend and see you the most. Again, I mentioned this story earlier, of of the professional getting $1,500 worth of bookings within an hour. Imagine what that could do for your business if you saw 15 clients booking just from a text.

Matthew Landis:

Alyssa, what are some new features that glass genius has that can really help our pros pump up their business?

Alyssa Pablo:

Well, I'm really excited to share that packages are now available to customers. So with this feature, what you can do is combine services and products into custom packages that clients will love. This will help increase your upfront cash flow while giving clients an easy way to save on the services that they love. And these can be auto applied at checkout for both staff and clients to seamlessly track their overall usage. This can also help with selling product and service bundles that, again, clients can conveniently use over time, and you and your staff can customize the package, pricing, the expiration and the overall terms.

Matthew Landis:

Love that. I love being able to do that. I also want to talk about retail, because you mentioned products, I feel like it's one of the most underutilized tools that the pros have, that we are so afraid of hearing no, that we don't ever ask the question. And I think that for me, retail was always part of the whole experience. I'm a hairdresser by trade. I'm going to do your hair. I want you to take home the best products for you. I want you to continue this. I want you to look good in between appointments. I want you to come back. I want to be on this journey with you together. And I feel like product has a big part of that. And I love that being able to package those things together, I think, is so important. And you know, the research actually shows that clients are looking for their professionals to make professional recommendations. However, unfortunately, the research also shows that professionals are not making those recommendations, and part of that is because I think that we're afraid, oh, well, I don't want to sell her that she's not going to buy it. She's going to we're so afraid of hearing know that we don't ever offer what, what I know, I know my client needs, and so I love being able to put that into a package and saying, look, here's the full enchilada. You need this, this, this, and then you need to take this, this, this, and home, and I'm going to give it to you for this special package price.

Alyssa Pablo:

Oh yeah, I think something that we forget in the beauty industry is our some clients really look up to you as their elite glam squad. I know when I go to my hairstylist and she recommends a product and takes the time to take me over to the retail shelf and tells me that there's a buy two, get one, free special. I'm in my happy place. I'm looking great. I'm feeling great. So wanting to also shop at the same time just adds even more to the experience. And I think professionals just kind of have to get over that fear, or work through that fear, to know that that is the headspace that our clients are in, and know that your clients trust you when it comes to these product recommendations. Relationships, and when

Matthew Landis:

I go in for service, I am spending money on me. I am here to spend money on me. Help me do that. Give me every opportunity to spend as much money with you as I can, because I want to leave there feeling good and looking great. I remember, as a client over the years, even before I was in the industry, asking my hairdresser, do you have a recommendation for a shampoo? And they would be like, well, you can use this or you can use that. And I'm like, Well, you don't sound very confident, so I'm not really sure. And I always felt I loved my hair, but then I always felt a little disappointed that I had to go back home and use the same old stuff. I love the package deal, because it's really saying, look, here's the full, the full picture of what, what I think you need as a professional. So that's fantastic. I love that you we talked a lot about how lost genius can really help our pros save time, how they can make more money, and by saving time, that gives them a little more work life balance. So I'm just so excited. I one last thing. What advice do you have for independent beauty pros who are just starting out in this business?

Alyssa Pablo:

Well, thinking about work life balance, I think it's so important to set your boundaries with clients up front, whether that means adjusting your calendar and your hours to where clients can only book with you at a certain time do that, or if it's clients texting you during certain hours, letting them know that you know you'll respond either the next day or when you're back in the salon again, I mentioned working 24/7 instead of the nine to five. It doesn't have to be that way if you are setting your boundaries with with your work life balance. So those are two things that I recommend, and then again, making sure that you have the tool that supports you to be able to do that.

Matthew Landis:

Well listen. Thank you so much for your time today. I you know, I'm a super fan and of glass genius, and I've had such a wonderful time chatting with you. I can't wait to do it again.

Alyssa Pablo:

Thank you so much, Matthew, it was wonderful chatting with you.

Matthew Landis:

Thank you for tuning in to the VIP suite. If you loved this episode, don't forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram @imagestudios360 for more inspiration from our community of independent beauty and wellness pros interested in renting your own luxury studio or becoming a franchise owner? Visit imagestudios360.com to learn more and take the next step toward building your dream business. Until next time, here's to beauty, health and wellness and building the life that you want you.