COACH CAIT
I am Cait, the founder of Iconic Coaching.
It’s always hard to get to know anyone online, but the best way to keep up with me is through my Instagram, otherwise keep reading!
I joined the workforce when I was thirteen years old, as I always just wanted to work and have my own money. I was working part time in a restaurant and qualified my hospitality apprenticeship at age fifteen. In August 2005 I left school to pursue hairdressing (at the time I would’ve done anything to get out of the hell hole that was high school if I am honest) and qualified my hairdressing apprenticeship before I could
even get a car license. I stepped into management at nineteen years old and purchased my first salon business later that year.
Since 2009, I have owned and operated multiple hair, beauty and barbering salons – the greatest achievement being ‘Huntress Hair Religion’ in regional Victoria, which I owned and operated for nine years and nine months, eventually selling for a staggering $592,000 in 2019.
I built the business up from a beat-up bogan salon turning over $150,000 per year when I bought it, to exceeding multiple millions in sales every year, and profiting over $250,000 per annum, all the while I was NOT working on the floor (and hadn’t for its final three years!)
Once I found the formula that worked, I also founded and grew ‘Hunter Barbershop’ from scratch, opening in 2018, and selling in 2021 after a hectic year of lockdowns and making the move up North (from Victoria to Queensland). I never worked on the floor of Hunter, and in short it was EPIC! Hunter turned a profit within three months of opening, and I built it from a shop with one part time barber, to a team of six full-time barbers and a full-time Manager.
I don’t want to sit here and tell you that my business ownership journey has been rainbows and smooth sailing, because that ain’t the truth, sis! In 2014 I opened and co-owned a hair and beauty co-working salon in country Victoria, which I was a partner in for almost twelve months, before selling my shares. Lesson learnt, don’t go into business with family of partners, because when the relationship ends it gets MESSY.
And early in 2012, I purchased a second salon and what a dumb idea that was… 22- year-old me thought I was king dick and that I knew everything – I learned the hard way that I most definitely did not! Firstly, I bought an absolute LEMON from a woman who fudged the numbers HARD. Eeek! September 2012 arrives, and it’s been six months since taking ownership, things were slowly starting to improve; I was almost cashflow
positive and I had a small team and solid clientele… then what did I do?
Went and got myself in a motorbike accident leaving me unable to work for months. It was HELL! I had no systems, a poor team culture, and things crumbled in my absence. So, with broken bones and shattered confidence, I sold for a small profit and moved the F on.
There are so many things I can tell you of what NOT to do in business and life – and there were a lot of lessons in those last two and beyond. You take more from the lessons than the successes, right? But overall, I have truly loved my salon-ownership journey as it is what has brought me here, to my incredible ICONIC coaching and mentoring business.
It was during my 27th lap around the sun that I fell out of love with being a colourist and fell in love with being a boss, a mentor to my team and to other incredible bosses, and found my calling in educating and coaching entrepreneurial business owners who were much like myself. I literally have the greatest job in the world, and I am honestly thankful for it every day.
Over my career I have been lucky enough to travel Australia and the world, not only with hairdressing working fashion weeks, platform work and shoots, but also speaking and presenting at business seminars, expo’s and events, and running my own sell-out events and retreats, sharing what I know. I’ve also personally earned a number of creative and business awards, at a local, state and national level, and I have trained and grown a number of my own employees to this level as well, and now I get the fabulous job of being a judge for so many of these awards programs in which I used to participate.
I am so passionate about the era that we work and live in, and my aim is to teach business owners to be the best they can be; completely fulfilled and balanced in all aspects of their lives (while profiting – a lot!) I know that when people push through their fear and overcome their mental blocks, they can literally do whatever the fuck they want – I am living, breathing, walking, talking proof of that.
Everything my coaches and I teach, is straight from the horse’s mouth from my own personal experience, and the things we have learnt from our clients as well. We’ve been there, done that, experienced the worst of everything. I’ve (literally) had a large staff walk out, I’ve had weeks of not paying myself, a business that almost went belly-up, debt up to my eyeballs which I paid off completely, and there’s been times where I’ve wanted to burn down my businesses and never go back – lucky that wasn’t the norm.
Whatever you’ve been through, you’re not alone! I’ve also had 27 employees at one time, profited a generous six figures whilst travelling the world for months at a time, and relocated and expanded, bought and sold, many, many times over.
During your time with Iconic (whether with me or one of my coaches) we will not only give you the secret sauce to every business success and win that I have personally had, but that of my coaches too. We will also share with you the tools, guides and detailed coursework that I have created and re-created since the founding of Iconic, that have generated all the freedom and wealth that my clients now get to enjoy.
We have met and worked with all kinds of business owners from Australia (my mother ship) and internationally as well, and believe me, we have heard it all, seen it all and helped them overcome it all. It’s never too late or too early, and there is literally nothing that you cannot do. So, let me and my team mentor you through the thick of it, into a prosperous and exciting future.
STREET CRED:
- Founder + Lead Coach of Iconic Coaching
- Keynote Speaker at HAIR FESTIVAL 2024
- Judge for ‘Australian Hairdressing Industry Awards’ 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 + 2024
- Certified Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Master Practitioner
- Cert IV Qualified Interior Decorator
- Former Barbershop Owner, sold 2021
- Former 3X Salon Owner, sold 2019, 2014 + 2012
- Certified Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) Master Practitioner
- Certified Non-Violent Communication (NVC) Practitioner
- Accredited DISC Advanced Profiler
- Keynote Speaker at HAIR FESTIVAL 2022
- Judge for ‘Australian Modern Barber Awards’ 2022
- Keynote Speaker + Panellist at ‘Woman in Front’ 2021, 2021, 2022 + 2023
- 2020 GMHBA Geelong Young Woman of the Year WINNER
- Keynote Speaker at SALON GROWTH CONFERENCE 2019
- 2018 Geelong Chamber of Commerce HALL OF FAME Inductee
- 2018 Geelong Young Entrepreneur of the Year WINNER
- 2018 Geelong Entrepreneur of the Year WINNER
- Keynote Speaker at HAIRAISER FELLOWSHIP 2018
- Keynote Speaker at BALI BUSINESS BOOTCAMP 2017
- Keynote Speaker at SECRET SALON SOCIETY 2017 + 2018
- Cert III Qualified Hairdresser
- Cert IV Qualified Hospitality
- Fashion Week New York, Sydney + Melbourne 2014, 2014, 2015 + 2016
- 2X HBIA Australian Championships WINNER
- 2X IHS Competitions WINNER
COACH CHARLI
Heyyyyyy Queen (or King)!
It’s your girl, Charli, here to shake things up and take you on a game-changing coaching journey. So, grab your cuppa, because I’m about to spill the tea on why I’m your go-to guru for levelling up your biz and life, babes.
I’ve been slaying in the hair and beauty world since 2007 – yeah, I’ve seen some trends come and go! Starting out as a baby-faced hairdressing apprentice, I got to live the dream early on, being a part of an artistic team creating Avant Garde runway shows, like the iconic Hair Expo Gala. If you’ve ever hustled backstage, you know it’s a whole vibe – crazy pressure, electric energy, and that unbeatable rush of creativity!
But as much as I loved transforming locks and making people feel fabulous, I knew there was more I wanted to conquer. My passion for leadership and helping others shine took me into the corporate realm, where I plunged head-first into management and leadership. I learned the ropes, nailed the skills, and brought my flair to the corporate world. But let’s be real – corporate life just isn’t built for us wild and creative legends.
I couldn’t resist the call of the hair and beauty world, so I made my grand return, this time with a twist! Enter Cait and her fabulous salon empire and we quickly realised that we were the ultimate work-wife duo. I started as the Salon Coordinator, and before we knew it, I was rocking the role of General Manager, helping Cait build not just one but THREE thriving businesses. Eight years later, we’re still killing it, pushing each other to live our best lives, break boundaries, and inspire anyone who crosses our path.
Running the show day in and day out, smashing growth goals, and turning visions into reality – I’ve become a queen of no-nonsense business leadership. But that’s just one part of my story, honey! I took the entrepreneurial leap and launched a hair and beauty supply company in regional Victoria. I grew it from scratch into a booming business with a loyal clientele who couldn’t get enough of our top-notch products.
And then there’s Midnight Creative Co. – my passion project turned powerhouse. This graphic design business is all about bold, innovative work that doesn’t just catch your eye—it grabs hold and never lets go. We’re talking visuals that make people stop, scroll, and say, “I need that in my life!” I’ve helped numerous brands glow up and own their identity with designs that are as fierce and unforgettable as they are.
With this powerhouse combo of creative genius and business savvy, I’m ready to help you break through barriers, smash your goals, and build the empire of your dreams. Whether you need strategic management, a branding glow-up, or some straight-talking mentorship, I’ve got the skills, the sass, and the experience to guide you through it all.
I’m not just talking the talk, babe—I’ve walked the walk, and now I’m here to help you strut your stuff. I’ve got the insights, the strategies, and the unshakeable confidence to help you unlock your potential and take your business to new heights. So, if you’re ready to unleash your inner boss and make waves in your industry, let’s connect and start making magic together. Your potential is limitless, and I’m here to help you own it!
STREET CRED
- Founder and Owner of Midnight Creative Co.
- Former Hair and Beauty Supply Owner
- Former General Manager of Huntress Hair Religion
- Former General Manager of Hunter Barbershop
- Former General Manager of Summit Salon Coach
- Former Manager of Raw Edge Hairdressing
- Former Administration Manager of YMCA – Deakin University
- Cert IV Business Administration
- Creative Team for Hair Expo Gala Runway 2008
SIMONE
Simone (or you can call her Sim) is our media and tech queen who is normally working away in the background of CMC. You will encounter Sim at all of our events, and the occasional group coaching session, and she is very chatty within our coaching inner circles.
Sim brings a broad range of experience and a colourful personality and this is one of many reasons why she is such an asset to our business and our clients! With a lot of experience in the Beauty and Cosmetic industry, including managing multiple clinics and surgeries, she brings a really exciting edge to our business.
She is a non-violent communication specialist and is expanding her expertise into marketing, and the digital world. Miss creative and organised is a big vibe!
STREET CRED:
- Certified Non-Violent Communication (NVC) Practitioner
- 2020 Australian Client Experience Consultant of the Year WINNER
- Former Clinic Manager of Pamper Clinic
- Former Office Manager of Peter Callan Plastic Surgery Clinic
- Cert III Dental Assisting
- Cert III Art Appreciation
LOZ
Lauren (although she prefers Loz) is our incredible Chief Financial Officer, and has been with Caitlyn’s company since 2018. She’s methodical and our ‘get shit done’ gal!
After years of managing a few of Melbourne’s leading hairdressing salons, she joined Cait’s team as the Coordinator of Huntress Hair Religion, quickly moving into a management role, to then being responsible for all the payments, accounts and back-end of the business, meanwhile Co-Managing her barbershop, Hunter Barbershop, remotely. She also owns and runs her own thriving home hair studio.
Loz is the gal you will speak to when it comes to all your payments and orders, and you will most definitely see her leading the pack at our live events, as well as the occasional drop into our coaching sessions and Facebook circles.
Plain and simply, CMC wouldn’t function without her (and either would Cait!) We love our Lozzy!
STREET CRED:
- Owner of Gigi’z Hair Studio
- Former Manager of Hunter Barbershop
- Former Manager of Huntress Hair Religion
- Former Manager of Luxe Cutters
- Serville’s Business Management Program
- Ran the ‘Style For Life’ fundraising event
- Cert III Hairdressing
- Cert III Make Up Artistry