“Sometimes you have to walk away from something really big to get something even bigger.” – Cassandra McGlaughlin

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Have you ever felt like you were living a double life, struggling between who you truly are and who the world wants you to be?

We are diving into a juicy conversation with my friend and the queen of color correction, Cassandra McGlaughlin. Not only has Cassandra made waves as a master colorist and educator for top brands like Redken and Paul Mitchell, but she’s also faced one of the most profound transformations imaginable – breaking free from a controlling religious cult to build the life of her dreams. Cassandra’s journey from a restricted environment to becoming a top-tier figure in the salon world is a powerful example of what’s possible when you refuse to settle for anything less than your true calling.

In this episode of The Elevated Life podcast,  we’re sharing “From Leaving a Cult to Hairstylist Stardom with Cassandra McGlaughlin” so you can learn what it truly takes to rise to the top of your industry. If you’re an aspiring leader eager to learn what it means to be at the top of your game while living authentically, this conversation is for you!

Tune in to hear:

• How Cassandra made the bold transition from college to following her passion in the world of hairdressing, and never looked back
• Tips to to build a thriving six-figure salon suite without burning out (Join the free masterclass!)
• How to support and inspire others as a leader without compromising your own well-being
• The spiritual practices that played pivotal roles in Cassandra’s personal evolution from leaving behind a cult and stepping into trauma informed coaching
• Tools to support “religious deconstruction” on your journey of self-discovery

From Leaving a Cult to Hairstylist Stardom with Cassandra McGlaughlin

Discovering Her True Calling in a New Career

Cassandra’s path to becoming a hair industry icon wasn’t planned. She felt the pull toward hairstyling after watching a beauty school commercial, even though she was already three years into her college journey with her family’s expectations looming over her. But sometimes, you’ve got to listen to that gut feeling and take the leap.

Becoming an Educator, Not Just a Stylist

Rather than leaning into the glitz and glam, Cassandra focused on mastering the fundamentals and teaching them with authenticity. This commitment to being real and transparent drew an audience hungry for the kind of knowledge only she could deliver, building the foundation for her reputation as an industry leader.

Rising from Life’s Setbacks

Cassandra’s rise wasn’t without turbulence. After a life-shaking divorce, excommunication from her church, and uprooting from Missouri to Tampa, she found herself at a crossroads. Instead of crumbling, Cassandra sought healing through hypnotherapy. It was here, in this moment of vulnerability, that she began to build herself back up, piece by piece.

Embracing Authenticity and Courage

Walking away from the church that had once dictated every aspect of her life wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. This choice opened up the door for Cassandra to step into her truth, to embrace every part of herself—including her sexuality—and to reject any limitations others tried to place on her.

Advice for Aspiring Leaders

Being a leader doesn’t mean having all the answers or pretending to be perfect. It’s about being real, admitting when you don’t know something, and staying humble. It’s about creating space for others to shine, not just yourself. And most importantly, it’s about setting boundaries and protecting your energy so that you can continue to lead with purpose and passion.

From Leaving a Cult to Hairstylist Stardom with Cassandra McGlaughlin

[00:38] Announcing my free six-figure salon suite webinar to scale without burnout

[02:16] How it all began for Cassandra from the salon chair to industry icon 

[03:41] Cassandra’s road to becoming a hair educator

[05:53] The bold decision to follow your heart in life and career

[10:47] Why staying true to yourself makes you a better educator

[16:45] Cassandra’s candid insights on managing responsibility and staying true to yourself

[30:01] Cassandra’s raw journey through embracing her true self

[38:02] How hypnosis became a powerful tool in Cassandra’s healing and growth

[38:36] Cassandra’s brave exit from religious conditioning and reclaiming her life

[46:38] Navigating the deep Waters of grief, heartbreak, and finding strength

[51:44] Finding balance in life’s emotional highs and lows

[01:01:10] Embracing authenticity and the path to becoming your most radiant self

[01:04:57] The books that guided Cassandra on her journey to transformation

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SCALE A SUSTAINABLE 6-FIGURE SALON SUITE WITHOUT THE BURNOUT

Calling all hairstylists! Learn the strategies to scale your business without sacrificing your well-being.

I’ve had a Google doc tucked away for the last 8 years, filled with all my secrets on how to build a six-figure salon suite business, but my soul said I had to teach reclaiming your power, self-love, and trusting your intuition first – hence the whole SHINE empire. 😉

🗓️ Mark your calendar for Monday, October 7th, because I’m hosting a FREE webinar where I’ll teach you the exact tools, strategies, and tactics I’ve used to scale my business to six figures—without burning out.

We’re ditching the hustle culture for good 🙅‍♀️ and stepping into a business model that’s all about flow and balance.  I’ll show you how to create energetic boundaries and protect your self-care, while still building a thriving salon business. And it’s completely free! ✨ 

You’ll discover:

💫 The key mindset shifts needed to effortlessly attract clients.

💫 How to create a sustainable business model that works for YOU!

💫 Effective marketing strategies to attract aligned clients that LOVE your work.

💫 Systems and tools to streamline your operations so you can actually take a break!

In this masterclass, you’ll get access to all my systems that keep me in alignment, help attract my dream clients, and run my business on autopilot—all without sacrificing my well-being.

I’ve been behind the chair for 20 years, educating for brands like K18 and ColorProof, and I’m finally ready to share the wisdom and strategies that have transformed my business. 💇‍♀️

If you’ve ever wondered how to build a sustainable six-figure salon suite without burnout, this is your chance to learn from me!Join the virtual party and discover how to…

▶ Manifest Your Money Vibes: Say goodbye to the struggle and hello to a flow of clients and cash! Learn how to attract abundance (without a HUGE following)

▶ Glow Up Your Work-Life Balance: Discover the secrets to working smarter, not harder. It’s time to enjoy your craft without the burnout!

▶ Real Talk, Real Results: Learn proven strategies to help you transform hustle into flow with sustainable systems and self-care.

▶ Your Burning Questions, Answered: Bring them to our live Q&A! You’ll walk away with insights tailored just for you by Brit.

Join our empowered community of stylists. Let’s set up your salon for the same level of success—together