💬 Why I Closed a Busy Salon — And What Came Next

It’s a question I’ve been asked a lot lately:

“Why did you close your salon when it was doing so well?”

The truth is, it wasn’t a decision I made lightly — but it was the right one.

Let me tell you why…

🌿 Life Changed — And So Did I

Running a busy salon was a dream come true in many ways. I loved the energy, the creativity, and seeing clients leave glowing and full of confidence.

Then along came Arlen 💚 my little reason to slow down.

I had another baby, and life as a mum of four is busy. Beautiful, but full-on. Add the family commitments, business admin, and everything in between… and suddenly I was stretched thinner than I was before.

Arlen has reminded me to slow down and enjoy the little moments in life. Its not all about the paper and grind.

🔁 The Industry Pressure Was Real

When I was running my salon, it felt like there was an unspoken rule: if you weren’t constantly booked out weeks in advance, posting every day on social media, and offering every trending service under the sun, you were somehow “falling behind.”

I felt this pressure not just from what I saw online, but also from within the industry itself — colleagues, clients, and even suppliers would subtly (or not so subtly) reinforce the idea that bigger, busier, faster was always the goal.

The reality?

I was exhausted. My creativity was running on fumes, my family life was taking the hit, and I realised I had built a business that looked successful from the outside but didn’t feel sustainable on the inside. You know that saying "I accidentally made myself important at work, and now I have real responsibilities" yeah, it's mentally draining.

Another huge factor? Staffing.

I built my salon with the hope of mentoring others and creating a space full of passionate, driven professionals. But finding focused, self-employed staff with long-term vision and consistency was tough.

Don't get me wrong the team I had were in fact talented and driven in their fields and continue still to impress me in their new settings, but the salon team needed to grow to be fully self sustainable without me, and here lay an issue...

Our industry is over-saturated with gaps in education 🎓

The beauty industry is full of talented people, but it’s also very overcrowded with under-trained, under-priced technicians and that's not always their fault.

There’s a flood of cheap, fast-track courses that focus on just “getting the certificate” rather than building skill, confidence, and real business knowledge.

Because of that, a lot of new techs start out working from home, charging very low prices to attract clients. While it can be a stepping stone, it also creates a cycle where the market gets used to bargain prices and sees our work being under valued. Beauty treatments are a luxury not a necessity and should be priced as such.

Many of these techs have incredible potential, but they’re scared to take the leap into a professional salon or studio. Some worry they won’t be able to fill their books, others fear the rent and overheads, and some just haven’t had the mentorship to show them what’s possible.

It means the industry ends up with pockets of real excellence… buried under a sea of low-cost, low-quality services that can damage public perception — and client trust.

Whilst I tried to nurture and lead, you can’t want someone’s success more than they do. That’s something I had to learn the hard way.

🧠 Learning My Limits (And Owning Them)

One of the biggest lessons I had to learn was this:

I’m not built to be a boss or even a manager.

And that’s OK.

I thought that’s what success looked like — a team, a buzzing salon and leadership, but trying to manage people, juggle their needs and energy inline with my expectations and standards, while also doing the work I love… it drained me.

I realised I thrive most when I’m working with people, not above them. I’m creative, empathetic, and driven — but leading a team? That pulled me away from everything I enjoyed about my job.

Knowing your limits doesn’t make you less — it makes you honest.

And stepping back from the “boss role” was one of the most freeing things I’ve done.

⚖️ Work-Life Balance Has Always Been a Struggle

I’ll be honest — balance doesn’t come naturally to me.

I’m ambitious, creative, and passionate about what I do. I also have a neurodivergent mind. This means I often thrive in high-energy, fast-paced environments but will also crave quiet, stillness, detox time and space to be alone with my thoughts.

Clients would often say, “You love all that, you’re always doing something, learning something, always busy.”

And they’re not wrong — I do love the buzz of “being on.”

But the truth is, it’s not sustainable.

I process things deeply, which means I can at times absorb the energy of those around me. If someone’s sad, anxious or having a bad day, I feel it. I carry it, so in a busy salon setting, with overlapping conversations, constant stimulation, background noise, and clients needing my full focus — I found myself stuck in survival mode. When I’m immersed in my work, I go all in, I forget to pause. I push through burnout and I try to be everything for everyone... until I crash.

Running the salon meant I was always “on,” and it left very little room for the other roles I value just as much in my life. I was left with no time to reset before heading home to juggle the chaos of life with my boys 💚

I don’t just need rest — I need detox time.

Time away from noise, decision-making, and pressure. Time to regulate, not just recover so I can be a mum, a wife, and a woman who also deserves space to breathe and heal.

🏡 So, I Chose Something Different

Closing the salon was scary, but it was also so freeing.

Now I work from home in a beautiful, safe, licensed space where I can still do what I love — tattooing, nails, beauty and piercings — but with more intention, flexibility, and peace.

It’s quieter, calmer, and better aligned with my version of success.

I still get to create. I still get to connect. But I also get to be present with my family and protect my energy.

✨ A New Chapter — On My Terms

So here I am — still Alisa Jade, still showing up with creativity and care, but with a better rhythm to life.

I’m also leaning more into education and mentoring again — this time with clearer boundaries and deeper purpose.

If you’ve ever felt like your version of success looks different than the industry says it should… you’re not alone. And you are allowed to change your path to protect your peace.

💌 Ready to Book or Learn With Me?

I’m still here for my clients and students — just in a new setting, with a fresh perspective.

Thanks for being part of the journey.

Here’s to doing things your way 💫

Book your treatments HERE

Learn with me HERE

Alisa Jade xo