Liz McKeon’s love for the beauty industry started from watching stylists in salons effortlessly connect with clients. She remembers leaving appointments already asking when she could go back, sparking a career dedicated to helping the industry at its core: mentorship, coaching, and business expertise.
A skincare coach once told McKeon that she should teach other people how she does what she does. This motivation reinforced the importance of knowing your why. For McKeon, understanding your purpose is the foundation for effective leadership and meaningful work.
The Hard Way, the Smart Way…
McKeon emphasizes that obstacles are what fuel growth. One of her key lessons is the importance of wearing multiple hats early on. The ‘hard way’ is focusing on one skill at a time, and the ‘easy way’ is accepting that multiple skills are necessary. The sooner stylists and leaders can balance multiple skills, the better they can serve clients and manage a salon. Additionally, building a team where each member takes ownership of their own “column” allows everyone to contribute fully without unnecessary pressure.
McKeon also speaks candidly about the realities of the salon industry. The pressure to wear multiple hats has had real consequences, contributing to the beauty industry becoming the second industry to face major fallout behind restaurants. However, she insists there’s always more money to be made.
Her leadership philosophy always centers around her client. As a coach, her job is to pitch the client various ways to improve their business. If the client says yes, great; if they say no, great. It’s not her responsibility if they turn down her expertise. True empowerment, McKeon explains, comes from showing up every day as the best version of yourself, supporting your team, and creating an environment where people can explore and grow.
From being criticized early in her career to now empowering salon owners in the industry, Liz McKeon embodies the balance of resilience and strategy. Her story is a reminder that leadership isn’t about being bossy… it’s about pushing your client to do their very best (while getting their revenue up).
Tune in below to hear more about the dedication that goes into the strategist behind the salon owner. Check out our Instagrams here at @readthetease and @volumeupbythetease.
