Based in Austin, Texas, Urban Betty Salon is one of Summit's longest running and most successful salon clients. In this episode we meet the woman behind the juggernaut, founder Chelle Neff. Chelle started hair school back in high school, and her first job was at Supercuts. She opened her first Urban Betty location in 2005 as a booth rental. Now Urban Betty is a 3-location commission salon company and they're trending to hit $6.7 million this year.

It wasn't easy, and Chelle is candid in this interview. You'll hear about:

• The importance of having a coach who doesn't handle you with kidgloves
• Overcoming self-worth issues around making and discussing money in a women-dominated industry
• Building Urban Betty's brand through early, aggressive social media adoption — collecting emails, engaging followers, and entering industry awards
• Growing pains from opening a third location and having to rebuild SEO/local presence from scratch
• Advice on scaling: delegate leadership contact points instead of being the sole point of contact; find a coach or mastermind group of like-minded owners
• Plus, Chelle spills the tea on getting through some of Urban Betty's toughest moments, including catching a team member embezzling, break-ins, and a walk out.

Where to find her: Instagram @urbanbetty and @urbanbettysalon, and chelleneff.com

Follow Summit Salon Business Center on Instagram @SummitSalon, and on TikTok at SummitSalon.

SUMM IT UP is now on YouTube! Watch extended cuts of our interviews at www.youtube.com/@summitunlocked

Find host Blake Reed Evans on Instagram @BlakeReedEvans and on TikTok at blakereedevans. His DM's are always open! You can email Blake at bevans@summitsalon.com.

Visit us at SummitSalon.com to connect with others in the industry.

SUMM IT UP is produced and edited by Andrea Muraskin. The executive producer is Tim Fisk.