Episode Summary:

In this raw and relatable solo episode, host Laura Bell takes us back to her beauty school beginnings—from sky-high poofs and Bump-Its to her first butthole wax (yes, really). With her signature humour and honesty, Laura shares what no textbook ever covered: learning to build a beauty career one foil, facial, and emotional breakdown at a time. She opens up about the moment she realized hairstyling wasn’t just about hair—it was about heart. A powerful story about a client discovering she had alopecia reminds us that behind every great style is a stylist who truly cares. Tune in for beauty myths busted, salon truths dropped, and a reminder that we’re all learning as we glow.

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome to Mane Talk: unfiltered beauty biz realness

00:45 – Laura's beauty school flashback: poofs, feathers & girl squad nerves

02:00 – Braids for days & butthole waxing: a stylist’s early skill set

03:00 – When she realized: "This isn’t my backup plan, this is the plan"

04:00 – What beauty school doesn’t teach you: marketing, meltdown management & emergency toners

04:45 – Emotional story: Helping a client through unexpected alopecia

06:00 – The truth about hats and baldness (myth busted!)

06:40 – A message to stylists, clients & everyone in between

07:10 – Sneak peek: Next episode brings Halloween horror stories with Natasha

💬 Notable Quotes:

“They don’t teach you what to do when a client cries in your chair.”

“Wearing hats does not cause baldness. Your dad’s hairline might be more to blame.”

🔗 Follow Salon 21 for More:

🌐 Website: salon21.ca

📸 Instagram: @salon21hairandesthetics

📘 Facebook: Salon 21 by Laura Mills

✂️ Episode Summary:

Welcome to the first episode of Mane Talk—where beauty meets business and nothing’s off-limits. Your host, Laura Bell, shares the raw, real, and often hilarious story of how she went from stylist to salon owner, wife, and mom… all in the span of a year and a half. Hear the origin story of Salon 21, what no one tells you about opening a salon, the behind-the-chair myth she busts on the regular, and why this podcast is about way more than just great hair. It’s about community, confidence, and creating beauty your way.

⏱️ Timestamps:

[00:00] Welcome to Mane Talk: Fun, unfiltered, and all things beauty & biz

[01:00] Laura’s journey: stylist → salon owner → wife + mom

[02:00] The dream: creating more than just a hair studio

[03:00] Why “Mane Talk” and what finally pushed her to start the pod

[04:00] Chaos of opening in 2021—health inspections, pandemic setbacks, and a surprise fifth sink

[05:00] Pandemic shutdowns, resilience, and client loyalty

[05:30] Hair myth busting: "Dirty hair helps color?" Nope!

[06:00] What’s next on Mane Talk: Beauty school flashbacks & building confidence

💬 Notable Quotes:

“I went from stylist, to wife, to mom, to business owner—within a year and a half. Chaos? Yes. Worth it? Every second.” Laura Bell

“We made it through. Just like a bad haircut—it eventually grows out.” Laura Bell

“No, dirty hair does not make your colour take better. Grease is a barrier, not a bonding agent!” Laura Bell

“Mane Talk is where beauty meets business—and nothing is off-limits.” Laura Bell

🌐 Connect with Laura & Salon 21:

• 💇‍♀️ Website: salon21.ca
• 📸 Facebook: Salon21.by.LauraMills
• 🪞Instagram: @salon21.hairandaesthetics

Welcome to Mane Talk—where beauty meets business in the most fun and unfiltered way! I’m your host, Laura Bell, and I have been in the beauty industry for more than a decade —starting behind the chair as a stylist and now running my own salon, Salon 21 Hair & Esthetics. Along the way, I’ve learned one thing: success in this industry is about way more than being great with hair! It’s about staying ahead of trends, understanding what clients really need and want, and constantly evolving—all while having a little fun along the way!

At Salon 21, we keep things fun, unfiltered, and real—just like this podcast. Whether you’re here for expert hair advice, industry insights, or just some good behind-the-chair conversations, we want you to feel at home. Grab your coffee (or your wine!), and let’s talk all things beauty along with some behind-the-chair moments you just can’t make up! Get ready for expert tips, fun conversations, and a little bit of behind the chair secrets—because here at Mane Talk, we keep it real!

🎧 Subscribe on your favourite podcast player now and join the conversation!

Connect with Laura & Salon 21:

Website: salon21.ca

Facebook: Salon21.by.LauraMills

Instagram: @salon21.hairandaesthetics