The FiLL with Qnity: PLAY

Behind the Scenes at The FiLL 2025: How Our Leadership Team is Growing to Better Serve You

At Studio Be Salon, we believe that growth and innovation go hand in hand—and this week, our leadership team leaned all the way in. Several of our leaders attended The FiLL 2025, an energizing and forward-thinking conference hosted by Qnity that brings together top salon professionals from across the country. It’s not just about learning; it’s about transformation—sharpening the skills that elevate our stylists, our service, and ultimately, your experience.

This year’s theme? PLAY. And we didn’t just hear about it—we fully embraced it.

The FiLL 2025 reframed business as a game board filled with opportunity. Through interactive workshops, strategy-building sessions, and playful experimentation, we discovered how bringing a sense of creativity, curiosity, and joy into our work can unlock real results. We’re walking away with fresh tools, energized minds, and a renewed commitment to making your experience at Studio Be Salon not only exceptional—but fun. After all, when we play with purpose, everyone wins.

Here’s a recap of what our leaders took away from The FiLL and how it’s already reshaping how we lead, coach, and grow our teams.

Chelsea (Stylist + Salon Manager): Systems, Support, and Play in Practice

For Chelsea, The FiLL illuminated the “why” behind the systems Studio Be Salon already uses—and inspired her to implement them even more intentionally.

“It helped me understand how I can integrate the 8 Seasons tool into coaching habits and long-term planning with my team. I loved how the sessions broke down strategies into smaller, more manageable shifts. A quote that stuck with me: ‘If the first step feels overwhelming, it might be too big.’”

She also found deep value in the data shared:

69% of employees would work harder if they felt recognized.
A simple shift in coaching cadence or goal setting can change everything.

And the idea of PLAY? It was a refreshing reminder that leadership doesn’t have to be serious all the time. Chelsea’s takeaway: “We retain people when they feel seen and supported—and when they’re having fun.”

Nina (Salon Manager): Trusting the Circle and Deepening Leadership

This was Nina’s second year attending The FiLL, and it solidified her belief in collaborative leadership.

“One of the biggest reminders for me was that ‘the answer is in the circle.’ I love this quote. It means we don’t have to solve everything alone. Whether it’s a guest transformation or helping a stylist hit a new goal, we have each other—and that’s powerful.”

She returned with a new level of confidence in systems and leadership and is already infusing more intentionality into how she supports her team.

Rylee (Guest Experience Manager): Leading with Curiosity and the Power of Play

Returning for her second year at The FiLL, Rylee was deeply inspired by the theme of play and the neuroscience behind it. She especially connected with Mia Sundstrom’s session on “Unleashing the Power of Play.”

“Learning that lack of play has a direct impact on the human personality—even in adulthood—was so fascinating. There are nine types of play personalities and 12 types of play. If we can learn our team’s play personality, we’ll know more about what drives, motivates, and excites them.”

Rylee returned with a toolkit full of small, fun ideas to inject joy into everyday tasks:

Taking a work chat outdoors.
Playing a quick game of “This or That” during meetings.
Doodling with colorful pens to reset creative energy.

“Play dissolves differences. It increases productivity, reduces stress, and makes work feel joyful again. I’m going to lead with curiosity—not control.”

Elizabeth (Stylist + Salon Manager): Connecting the Dots & Empowering Consistency

Elizabeth left The FiLL feeling energized by the tools, insights, and conversations she shared with salon leaders across the country.

“I learned so much from our time there. One of the most eye-opening facts? We miss 71% of our revenue opportunities while guests are already in the chair. That number was wild—and it made me even more grateful for the systems we’ve created to support our team in offering value every time.”

She also resonated with the Qnity idea of “shrinking the middle”—making big goals feel achievable by breaking them into bite-sized, actionable steps.

“Small changes in systems can cause big chaos. I’m committed to leading with clarity, communicating better, and continuing to grow my skillset around the planning tools we learned—especially from Heath’s class. I’m excited to build more structure and impact!”

Meghan (Stylist + Salon Manager): Confidence, Communication & The Power of Appreciation

For Meghan, The FiLL was her first experience—and a powerful one.

“I feel more confident than ever in my management knowledge. The inspiration I received was incredible. I now fully understand how the Qnity tools connect to our systems, and I’m excited to use them to lead with purpose.”

Key takeaways that stuck with her:

A lack of appreciation is the number one reason people leave a company.
People who track numbers are 50% more likely to progress.
Your first idea is never your best idea.

“I’m taking all of that with me into how I run meetings, how I coach stylists, and how I lead my team. And like the others, I’m bringing play into the equation too—because fun fuels results.”

Why This Matters

You might be wondering—how does all of this impact our guests?

At Studio Be Salon, everything we do—from our leadership retreats to our daily huddles—comes down to one mission: growing people and delivering the best guest experience possible.

Whether it’s through stronger communication, better coaching tools, or simply bringing more joy and energy to our team, The FiLL is helping us elevate what we do for you—our amazing community.

Thank you for being the reason we continue to learn, grow, and PLAY.