040 - Prioritizing New Ideas, Projects, and Pushing Through Burnout with Hunter Donia

In this episode of Stylist Soul Tribe Conversations, host Lisa Huff sits down with Hunter Donia to discuss the challenges of balancing new ideas, maintaining focus on existing projects, and overcoming burnout in the beauty industry. Hunter shares his insights on staying disciplined, managing workload, and leveraging what's already working in your business to achieve sustainable success.

Key Takeaways:

1. Balancing New Ideas and Focus:
   • Avoid distraction by too many new ideas and concentrate on what's already working.
   • Integrate new ideas within the current focus to enhance existing goals.
2. Implementing New Ideas:
   • Evaluate when it’s appropriate to introduce new ideas and prioritize effectively.
   • Utilize strategies like post-it planning to manage tasks and maintain organization.
3. Maintaining Discipline:
   • Discipline and focus are crucial to preventing shiny object syndrome.
   • Collaborate with your team to brainstorm and refine ideas that align with your main goals.
4. Workload and Burnout:
   • Recognize the heavy workload and validate feelings of burnout.
   • Emphasize organization and prioritization to manage stress and maintain productivity.
5. Passion and Sacrifice:
   • Understand that building a successful business requires significant time and energy.
   • Harness your passion for the craft to stay motivated through sacrifices.
6. Business Education:
   • Embrace business education to reveal exciting possibilities and achieve long-term sustainability.
   • Balance creative passion with essential business knowledge for growth.
7. Self-awareness and Fulfillment:
   • Separate personal fulfillment from business success to maintain a healthy relationship with work.
   • Focus on personal achievements and maintain a balanced work-life dynamic.
8. Adapting to Industry Changes:
   • Prepare for the business side of independent ownership, especially post-pandemic.
   • Build strong foundations and continuously learn to sustain growth.
9. Reflection and Realignment:
   • Regularly check in with personal goals to ensure alignment with actions.
   • Simplify tasks and focus on core activities to avoid overwhelm.
10. Community and Support:
    • Leverage a supportive community for motivation and accountability.
    • Share experiences and challenges to validate struggles and reinforce collective growth.

Guest Bio: Hunter Donia is a seasoned beauty industry professional known for his expertise in balancing creativity with business savvy. With years of experience, Hunter brings valuable insights into maintaining discipline, managing workloads, and prioritizing new ideas in the fast-paced world of beauty and hairstyling.

Resources Mentioned:

• Hunter Donia's Website

Connect with Us:

Click here to register for the 2025 Vision Casting Workshop!

Connect with Lisa Huff

• Instagram
• Facebook
• YouTube

Transcript

0:00

Welcome to Stylist Soul Tribe Conversations. I'm your host, Lisa Huff. Over the last five years, I've coached hundreds of hairstylists and beauty industry professionals, helping them work their dream schedules exclusively with their dream clientele and earn their dream income. income, all while fostering genuine connections and lifelong friendships inside the beauty industry. And this podcast, we dive deep into abundance, manifestation, business building strategies, and creating a life that you are truly proud of both behind the chair and at home. Are you ready to embark on a journey of personal growth, success, and sisterhood, then hit that subscribe button now and get ready to experience the pure magic of Silas Old Tribe Conversations. I'm assuming what, I'm assuming the reason why you may be semi, semi inspired to talk about this is because You had the resource fair and I'm assume that there was a ton of different ideas and different routes and everybody was so inspired and everybody, nobody knows where, how, or where, or when to start on all of these things. And not only that, but they already have shit that they're doing and implementing. So then they get these new, these brand new ideas. And then it's like, what do I prioritize? Where do I go? What do I do? So I'm assuming. But that is what it has has inspired you to want to talk about this. So tell me where your thought where that brings your thoughts to. Yeah, I mean, and obviously the easy answer is like, don't get distracted by all the ideas, keep doing what you're supposed to be doing. But like, there's also a fine line of like, you've implemented all the things and like, when do you decide that it is time for new ideas? Like, when do you realize that you're in a space? space that you can take that in. How do you choose what they are? How do you bring in little tasks into your business that aren't already part of your regular flows? How do you decide when that's appropriate? And then how do you actually start to do it? Yeah. Do you have a process for that or a solidified, like answer? I mean, I do like post it planning and the. The, not all of it's going to get done, but some of it will. And like, I just kind of also say like, if things, if this idea like festers long enough and the time doesn't happen, time doesn't happen, but the stick, you know, it stays on the to do list. It stays important. It stays relevant. Eventually you do that, but I would also love to hear your process on it. Yeah. You know, I will say that fluidity in my business. Sometimes I would say I've gotten a lot tighter. And more boundary when it comes to distractions and things like that and new ideas at this point, because in the past I have noticed how getting distracted or new shiny things that I chase have have literally tangibly decreased the results of what I was mainly doing. Like I have, I, I've, I kind of like learn my lesson the hard way, you know? And so because of having that previous experience, I kind of, I try my best to be very disciplined in my focus. And that does not mean though, that I don't leave room for ideas. What I try to first off and foremost look for is, is. Ideas and stay open to, and also always ask my, my team for feedback about ideas around what the current focus is, right? So like if we have a current focus and current goal in our business, how can we take all the creativity of new ideas and new exciting concepts and then apply it to the main thing that we're focused on so that. It's not pulling my energy too far away from the main thing that I want to make happen and make successful. And what if you even went back into, like, the main thing? Like, how did you even get to that point and get that so crystal clear? Because don't you, I know you said, like, with time it's become tighter and tighter, but, like, back when it was looser and you even found what you have currently, you know? Like, I think that's a fascinating process for people, too. I think looking and seeing, like, what's already working. And then, and I talked about this a little bit in our last episode, but like, it's, it's looking at on paper on your business, what's already working, like what is already making you money, and then doubling down on it. Because if there's something that's already working, then there's probably something that you're doing to make it work. So then it's a lot easier and less risky to make the thing that's already working, take that thing and then just double down on it. So it's like a like, so let's say That Instagram is working really well for you. Like, let's say that Instagram is like the, is the main way that you're getting clients into your chair and you're getting like five to 10 new client requests a month from that. Right. Can you imagine if you doubled the effort that you were putting into your Instagram? Right? Like, what would happen at that point if you took what's already working and you poured more time and energy into something that's already proven to work versus taking something else and trying to make that work, which is going to take away energy from what's already working. So then it's going to lessen the results of that. You have risk of the new thing not working out, and then you end up being in a space where you have to catch up possibly. And, you know, I'm not saying that this is the experience. going to have every single time that they implement something new or try something new, you, there has to be space and, and there are definitely times for more like exploration and like trying something new for sure. But I, I've just found that like, if I'm thinking really analytically and in a very safe way I can take what is already working and put a fuck ton of effort into that, and take risks within that, right? Because I just said the word safe, but I'm taking what's already working that has great foundations, and then I'm taking risks within that, because I know that if I that The swings that I take will be the biggest hits within that thing, because I've already built the foundation for it. And if I miss, then it's not that big of a deal because I haven't wasted much time or effort on the wrong thing. If that makes sense. Yeah, no, that makes perfect sense. And I totally get where you're at with that. So I want to know when you were saying like education implementation, like we're both really like close hand in hand with people, like, where did that thought come from? And let's see what that starts to spark. I don't want to discourage anybody. What is thinking what I'm thinking right now is is like, particularly to what we're doing and who we're teaching. This shit's a lot. Like, it's a lot. I mean, it's why I have the education that I have is because you are already working a full time job. Like you're already working a full time job and at its core, right? You could accept that full time job for what it is, you know, and, and, and have the same average salary that everybody else has within that core job, you know, and, and, and what you would normally expect from it and accept the day to day of that actually the majority of hair salons. That's what they do. Yeah. We just don't know them because we attract a different breed. Yeah. Exactly. I think we forget that like we're in this bubble of people who are, are thinking that or believe that there are, and understand that there is more for them. Yeah. If. They are willing to put in some extra work to make it happen. And so, when you sign up to take this career, this full time job, but then develop it into something even bigger and better for you, you're taking on a whole new role. Like, you are taking on a whole new job. And like, I'm not even just talking about, like, like not only do you have the full time job of literally just doing the fucking hair. You're Right. But then also, which is like physically exhausting and physically mentally exhausting takes a lot of time. Yes. Emotionally exhausting. Mm-Hmm. It truly is. And also like you are, you are, you are thinking in a scientific way, in the way that you are approaching, the way that you are, are, are doing the actual services. You are emotionally draining yourself with the interactions that you're having with people throughout the day. And you are physically. laborously popping off all throughout the day, right? Then you, if you do own your business, then it's not just about the growth of the business, right? Because that's what I'm kind of referring to, at least at the beginning of what I was saying, but it's also about the main maintenance of the bit, like the bare minimum of maintaining the business and keeping it fucking open. Right. So like inventory, for example, cleaning that shit, et cetera, et cetera. Right. So it's like, you are. You are signing up for first off, if you're going to be an owner of your own business in any way, shape, or form, you are signing up for being fully responsible for that maintenance on top of your full time job of doing the hair, right? If you are going to sign up for tapping into the potential that this has for you and developing it to a new level. In which you are able to continuously do what you absolutely love for a living, but then make a really fucking badass living doing it, and also be able to work less and create a great lifestyle for yourself while doing it. Then you are signing up for having probably like three different jobs. Yeah. Like you're working three jobs. Yeah. So I guess I just want to say that like, it's, it's, It's really, I just, I just understand when people are burnt out and they feel unorganized and they don't know where to focus and this just feels really heavy. Like I just, I validate that and I understand it. And what I hope is, although I am very intense sometimes and I'm very like fucking business y and crazy and nerdy about that stuff, I, I hope that like, I, I mean, this is why I created Previsit Pathway. Like, it's literally like the entire foundation of what I created. It's like, what I hope is, is although I'm giving you quote unquote more work, I'm giving it to you in the, in the easiest, most tangible way possible. That will be easy for you to implement. But then also that will make your life and job easier after you implement it, right? So yeah, I guess like when I, when you brought up this concept to me, it wasn't just, it didn't bring up for me just like how to prioritize and what to focus on and how to actually implement new ideas. But it also brought up to me just like that this is already a lot, you know, like this is already a lot to do and it's a lot of work and I don't blame people for feeling a little burnt out of it. Absolutely. I have a very positive and motivational flip side to it, but I'm going to pause. Okay. Here's my thought. It's a fine line though, because we do attract these. I don't know what we're gonna call them, but I'm one of them, you're one of them. Motivated, motivated hairstylist. Over the top motivated. So it's this fine line that we balance of, as soon as things get even a inkling of stagnant, We're craving so much more, but then the moment we go from more, it's overwhelmed city, and it's like, where is that balance? Because it's like, we can say, oh, even if you're overwhelmed, like, just stick with what's working, maintain what's working, but why the hell do we all have that, like, deep, deep, deep inside of us? And I think, As much as like you want to coach and I want to coach to stylists, just doing the day in, day out and day business, they're drawn to people like us. Cause we've taken it even a step further than that into a career that we're so passionate about. And they feel that passion, that excitement, and they want to like get behind that as well in their own form or, you know, right along with what we're doing. Yeah, I agree with you. And I think that like. I mean, I've been talking to, I just talked to this like, salon suite owner, and they listened to the podcast, so. Hi. Hello. Hi, hope that you're doing well. They asked me, so basically what they were talking about was, and I've talked about it on the podcast before, about how, Do There was a huge shift in the independent ownership post pandemic. Like everybody opened up their own suite, but right now these franchisees are really struggling with churn because one of the, one of the two things is happening is either some of these people are actually really entrepreneurial and they got into a suite and now they're opening up their own salons. I I'm seeing that even within my own community. But the majority of it is if there is within the churn, not the people who stay. But within the churn is there's a lot of people who did not realize that they were signing up to run their own fucking business, particularly a salon suite business. If we're talking about that, where like you don't have foot traffic, you don't have the natural marketing of just being around other people. Right. And people don't really realize like what they're signing up for when they become their own business owner. And somebody was asking me like, Hey, And I, and they were, they wanted to talk to me about developing a business education thing for them and whatever it may be. And I was like, I asked them, I was like, do you guys have parameters for the, the stylist that you bring on? Because I think it's important for these franchisees, if they want to see longevity in their own businesses, to start to be more picky and choosy about what style. Stylists sign up to be in these spaces and who they give leases because or else you're just signing yourself up for a bunch of churn and like really low retention of your, of your tenants. If you're not screening this person to at least have some sort of either strong foundation of clientele. So, But even that's not enough, like actually like interviewing them and asking them, like, what is your plan to continue to do well in your business? And like convince me that you're not going to be bored of owning your own thing. Yeah. I mean, I'd be lying if I said, I don't think about sometimes just going to clock into a commission salon because it's just so much easier. I'd be lying if I said, I don't think about going to just work at a coffee shop sometimes. How peaceful is clocking? The money's, the money's ticket, you smell good coffee, you clock out. Like that, it's interesting, the shift, which I won't do because I have that drive so hard, but it's interesting that like overdrive everybody felt into a, what have we created into a, where's that happy medium and let's just let those people fall into the place that fits them better. Yeah. So this person asked me then. They were like, why do you think that these people just don't want the business education or like they don't want to focus on business? I was like, well, look at the fucking demographic, like, look at the industry. Like, the reason people got into this industry was because Because number one, they're creative and they're passionate about what they're doing and making an impact on other people. But also this is literally like the creativity side of it. It's the opposite of the traditional college route where you'd be focusing on more like, you know, book theory type concept traditionally. Right. And so like business, the concept of business, the study of business is a study and it's a traditional college route situation. Right. And we Went in the other direction because a lot of that did not resonate for the majority of us, right? Like, that's why we got into what we're doing. And so it's like, we're taking these, like, really passionate people who originally, like, got into this because they did not want to focus on all that bullshit. And then And give them no choice but to have to focus on that. Yeah. Literally. Or else you can't sustain a business. Right. And I think that, you know, for me, I would say, I didn't realize that I even cared about the business side of things until I got some really great education when I was going through being a business educator or sorry, a color educator through a company. The color, the, the company was very business, Education driven, like they took it as a very important part of what they were doing and offering salons. And because of that, even though I was a color educator, I got like a lot of business education and the way that it was framed, like made me really feel like there was a strong why, and a lot more possibility for what's out there for me. Like, and I think that once that bites you in the ass, you know, like it really forces you to kind of like figure out like, okay, I am really passionate, this business stuff. Isn't really sexy to me. But I do see what's possible for me. And that's really exciting. And to be able to do this sustainably long term, and to be able to make a bigger impact than what you're making right now, it's just essential. Like it's what you are signing up for. And a lot of people I don't think realize how fucking hard it's going to be. And I think that for me, I don't know about you, would you say that like when you were really first starting out to like, get business focus and like really start implementing strategies and things like that? Would you say that you were like, Would you say that you sacrificed a lot? Time, you mean? Yeah. What do you mean? Time or energy. Yeah, for sure. I mean, I think anybody who builds anything great does. Yeah, I mean, I was working my ass off. I don't know if it felt like a sacrifice at the time. I have always been more truthfully drawn to the thrill of building the business Right. than even doing the hair personally. So to me, when I was really growing it, that was like feeding a different side of me. So yes, absolutely. I mean, I, I worked way more time and physically and mentally with clients, you know as I was growing that. Do you have a follow up to that or? Do you regret it? Oh, absolutely not. No, I learned everything I needed to learn. And so it's like, for the people who are listening to this, for the people I mean, I could go into my fucking I worked my a off. Ass off. Mm hmm. And granted, I always caveat this with, I don't have children, you know, I come from a pretty privileged background, like, I understand that my, my, my experience does not, you know, mean that your experience is, is not valid or whatever it may be. But like, for me, I, I sacrificed a lot and I worked my ass off, you know, and it sucked at times and I was really tired, but then like, look at what that got me, you know, so like for like the people who are listening to this, like who are our people who are like more motivated and like understand that there's more for them out there and like are willing to put in the work to go chase that, like understand, like, yeah, dude, you just signed up for three fucking jobs. Yeah, like you are saying you just signed up for three different jobs, like one full time and two part time. So basically two full time jobs. And you have a personal life on top of that. And I totally see that. And I totally respect it. Like, and I understand that that's fucking hard. But you're also building yourself up to something bigger and greater. And like you just said, like, that doesn't come without sacrifice and working through hard times. And Yeah. burnout and not knowing which ideas to put where when you're already so freaking overwhelmed but you're inspired by this new shiny thing, right? Totally. So what would be like your prediction that just with how things are going and like everyone thought they wanted to take on the three jobs and now a portion are finding that they don't like is there a happy medium that gives people both or like what do you think is that solution? It depends on what perspective you're talking about. I guess like, The first thing that comes to mind is like, I think that there are people who get attracted to business education who aren't as, like I said, aren't passionate about the business. And I think that there are people who are passionate about the business who like really get excited by like the theory of things, you know, like you and I do. And I think that it's just the people who are going to. who aren't as naturally inclined, possibly, are going to choose to either stay disciplined and like, continue to do the hard work, even though it fucking sucks, or, and the people who don't are not going to, and I, what I hope is, and what everybody wishes is, I guess, that Things will just maintain and stay okay for them moving forward, you know, I think that's like what everybody, every hairstylist who doesn't really care about business education, really, like, that's how they're living and floating, you know, the answer for those people is more like go a commission route or, I mean, it's, it would be so person by person. Yeah, it depends if you're, if you're, if, if your situation is, is really low maintenance for you, that's fantastic. But I mean, yeah, I think. Yeah, honestly, I mean, I see these, I work with, I work one day behind the chair and I work in a commission salon now just because I like to keep my hands and hair and I like to be around people and do my clients and all that stuff and be able to relate to you guys in one way or another. And I mean, I see these commission stylists and they're not fucking doing shit. They're like going in and out of the salon and they just do not give a damn. I just cannot even imagine what that must feel like. I know. I, I, and I remember They just have a life outside the salon. No. And, and, and I remember, like I said, like when I got the bug for business, I came back to my, my, my team salon who I grew up with and I had much more closer ties with, and I felt very depressing for me. And very confusing to me how everybody else around me was so not as motivated as I was. And I was just like, if you guys could just. See the potential like if you guys would just like do this, you could grow this to something so much bigger, you know, but that's not what people want to do. People just want to nobody is in business to give advice to people who aren't even looking for advice. So there's no sense in that. Yeah. I also just want to go back to the question you asked me earlier about like working, hustling, hustling, working really hard, making a lot of sacrifices. I also think it's only fair to acknowledge that we're speaking about this in past tense, but like, we're doing it now just in a very different way. Like, you are working your fucking ass off. You're just building a different business. And so it is sometimes kind of wild to talk about it in that way. Like, yeah, I'm behind the chair two days a week, you're behind the chair one day a week, but we're like, Behind the computer. Yeah. How many days a week? Yeah. We have a full time job. I'm running a, I'm running a, I'm, I have a team, I have a fucking team. I think it's also to point out to people who think that they want that two day a week schedule, one day, three day a week schedule, like human, most humans do work a significant, I mean, a full time job. Like you probably don't need as much free time as you think you need. I don't know. And I love our industry because we can shape it. that to what we need it to be. Cause I have kids, I can get off whenever time I want. I love that. But I think that's also like a big lie and a big misconception that people are sold because it's a pain point. And it speaks to people as you know, in marketing of like, you can cut your hours so much, you can do this, you can do that, but like, then what, then what are you doing with your time? And that's almost going back to our last episode. Then you get to the point where you're bored and you're like, Oh, what is it? And you're just adding in something new. And it's like, is that really your purpose in your career? calling right now, or are you just almost have so much time at your disposal and so much information coming in that you're wondering where to go with it? Yeah, I had a stylist get on a one to one with me a while ago and they were like thinking, like, they just felt so burnt out and they like, were like, I'm think I'm done with this and I'm. Going to go to college and like go the traditional route. And I was like, do you feel like you're going to feel the same? Like, is there a possibility that you would feel the same burnout in a traditional nine to five job where like you don't have the flexibility where like you're not expressing creativity and like doing art to make a living and like also making an impact in other humans lives, like. I think it's really important to remind yourself of like, how fucking cool is it that you get to make any money doing this? Right? And then it's like, how cool is it that you can choose to sacrifice and put in fucking hard work, even when it sucks, to be able to maximize that gift that we have, that we get to do every day to make a living, you know, like, You're either going to be working your ass off and something that you're miserable doing, or you're going to be working your ass off at something that is really beautiful and passionate that offer that has the potential to offer you much more, you know? So it's like self awareness. Yeah. If you would be more happy, you know, just doing the mundane tasks, like we joked about earlier, that is building something for somebody else. That's one thing. But like when you come down to it and more power to somebody who chooses to go back to school, I can't even imagine what that must be like. Do you really think you're going to feel less overwhelmed doing that, studying till 2am for your final than you will navigating your fully clientele that you just feel overwhelmed by? Yeah. I think you'll just need to like simplify the hell out of things. Yeah. And this person messaged me like two months later, I think, and was like, Hey, What you said really resonated with me. I thought about it a lot and I actually went up, went to therapy and I realized like, I was depressed and anxious and like, it had nothing to do with the business and now I'm doing so much better. And now the business is doing better. And I'm like, that's why I say like separating the business from your personal is so important and looking at your business as like its own living, breathing entity, instead of it being you, because like, if you look at it as like a tool, like if you look at it as like. More of like a separate physical thing from you and you look at it as like, not the thing that you are relying on for fulfillment in your life, then you can look at it as something where you are fueling yourself personally in your personal life to be able to show up and give that thing the energy that it needs to then feed back into you, you know? It's not constantly attached, laying in bed with you at night, every night. Yeah, it's like this separate thing. And God forbid, if something ever even did happen to it, you're still your own human. Like, it has all its own gifts and important things in life. And it is definitely a healthy removal that I think a lot of us struggle with. Yeah, I had a life coach one time say, like, if you're looking at your business for fulfillment, then you're signing yourself up for a very toxic relationship because you in like in your traditional relationships, you're looking for stability and you're looking for companionship. Yeah, yeah, the companionship. And you're looking for somebody who is like, I mean, like if your partner's sad, you're sad, like if your partner's angry, you're angry. If your partner's happy, you're happy. Right. Your business, if it's not quote unquote doing well, or if it feels really hard, you don't want to attach your. The way that you're, like, how you're being in your personal life to that roller coaster, you know, that is a toxic relationship. That's like, just not, it's not healthy for you. And, you know, I'm not saying that it's easy. I call, 100%, I call Lisa up all the time freaking the fuck out about my business. And like saying that it's affecting the shit out of me and I can't stop thinking about it every day. So it's like, I'm not saying that it's easy, but it's a, it's, I think it's a What? Philosophical practice that I think is important that you can pull back up and say no way who is hunter outside of my business Who are the people that I love? What are the things that I can do that make me smile that make me laugh outside of this? Yeah, I think we all need a good dose of that all the time. Yeah, 100 percent this conversation went in a different direction Sorry, no, it did my bad I mean, we didn't, that's a, that's okay. We didn't pre plan a ton of it. We just, I think we have so many good conversations when we're just on the phone that honestly we need to do this every so often so I can just be documented. Cause it's powerful, it's important. And I'm, I hopefully people are entertained and enjoy just kind of this like super casual. Do you have anything else you'd like to add? I'm trying to think. I feel like we've gone so many different directions. If I pulled something, it would be so out of left field. So, yeah. That's what I was thinking. I was like, I could totally go back to talking about ideas and implementing them, but I feel like that would be weird at this point. No, I think we're good. I think, I think the overall for everyone listening should just be like, and even going back to the woo conversation, take a beat. Take a second. Like, where is the root of your stress or your whatever coming from? What is the bigger goal? Are you still excited about that? Check in with yourself. Are these actions that you're telling yourself you need to take, that you're stressed out about, still in alignment with what you actually want? Yes. Or like, what is the alternative? And does that actually even beat where you are? Because my guess is majority of the time, no. We're just being A little intense. Yes. I, I could not have said that better. That was beautiful. Yeah. 100%. We'll wrap it up on that then. All right. Thanks for tuning in fam. Lisa, I love you so much. I love you friend.