About
The Lifestyle Salon Coach offers real support for real salon owners wanting to make their salons better.
Hi! My name is Richard McCabe and this is my story.
I left school with limited education and began my hairdressing apprenticeship at 16. At the time, I was unmotivated and unsure of my future, but my first boss saw potential in me that I didn’t yet see in myself.
I launched my first venture as a mobile hairdresser. Although I enjoyed the freedom and income, I lacked financial discipline, and the bills piled up. I soon realized the limitations of mobile hairdressing and knew I needed more stability and income to support my growing family.
Eager to scale, I opened my first salon—but fear led me to take on a business partner. That partnership collapsed within a week, leaving me broke. Still, I pushed forward and opened the salon on my own. It grew fast, the buzz was thrilling, and clients loved us.
As the salon stayed busy, I dreamed of houses, cars, and holidays. But growth plateaued, and while revenue increased, so did the bills. Every financial year looked successful on paper, but I had little to show for it. Behind the scenes, I was exhausted and struggling.
Staff arrived late, asked for raises, and questioned my leadership. I overheard whispers like, “We’re paying Richard’s mortgage.” I didn’t address the problems—fear held me back. I didn’t know how to manage people or run a business. I just knew how to do great hair.
I lived in constant stress, juggling bills and fearing client loss. To outsiders, I seemed successful. But it was feast or famine. A good month followed a bad one, and by year’s end, I had nothing left. I had a job—but the boss (me) had no idea what he was doing.
I reached a point of near-collapse—risking my house, my family’s schooling, even food. I drew a line in the sand. I realized the problem wasn’t the staff or the salon—it was me. I committed to learning business from the ground up.
I built Lifestyle Salon Systems and began helping salon owners worldwide. Thousands of stylists face the same struggles I once did: the WARZONE of exhaustion, overwhelm, and isolation. I now coach them to regain clarity and control.
Now based in Australia, with multiple salons behind me and over 20 years of experience, I help salon professionals transform their businesses and lives. Through Lifestyle Salon Coach, I share the strategies I’ve refined to help others escape survival mode and thrive.