This was a travelling episode of the inner sanctum, recorded on a trip to Sydney. We got to catch up with industry legend, Monique McMahon! Monique is the owner of Que Colour and MCM Beauty, and in this episode we got deep!
Monique shared her journey from working in a high-end salon to founding her own salon. All while balancing motherhood. She openly spoke into the challenges and successes of running and expanding a salon. As well as her passion for education and her innovative colour techniques.
We also explored the story behind MCM Beauty, Monique's wholesale import distribution company. Which started with the luxury brand Christophe Robin and has expanded with aligned brands. MCM showcases her commitment to combining clean beauty with luxury.
There's talk about integrating passion and business. Family involvement, and work-life balance. As well as salon culture and cultivating a brand.
Tune in to learn more about Monique’s drive to set new trends, maintain high standards, and her future aspirations for the industry.
00:00 Episode Summary
02:51 Introducing Monique McMahon
04:36 Balancing Motherhood and Career
06:55 The Birth of Q: The Story Behind the Name
08:12 The Christophe Robin Connection
09:27 Growing Pains: From Small Space to Larger Salon
18:38 The Dual Business Model Experiment
19:46 The Importance of Branding and Consistency
20:56 The Cost of Running a Luxury Salon
25:38 The Evolution of Q: Policies and Procedures
34:57 Embracing Social Media and Education
40:11 Creating an Education Module for Apprentices
42:31 The Importance of Culture in a Salon
44:11 Challenges of Moving Off the Floor
47:26 Dealing with Client and Team Dynamics
50:57 The Role of Passion in Business
53:34 Expanding Through Education Events
01:00:44 The Birth and Growth of MCM Beauty
01:11:17 Balancing Work and Family Life
01:16:08 Final Thoughts and Future Plans
And a huge thank you to our podcast sponsors:
https://ozdare.com/
https://kevinmurphy.com.au/au/en/km/
Mentioned in this episode:
💛 A HUGE Thank You to Our Podcast Sponsors - Timely
We’ve partnered with Timely to bring you something special:
➡ Enjoy a 14 day free trial to see how Timely can transform your salon.
➡ New customers get 50% off their first 3 months.
If you've been thinking about levelling up your salon systems, this is your moment. Timely is designed specifically for salons. Helping you manage bookings, clients, staff, and more with ease.
Use the code SALONRISING at checkout or click the link below to to claim the offer. 👇
Timely
💖 Celebrating Our Podcast Partner – Christophe Robin, proudly distributed by McM Imports
We’ve partnered with Christophe Robin and MCM Imports to bring you something beautiful:
➡ Experience the Christophe Robin Discovery Box — curated by pro ambassador Monique McMahon.
➡ Inside, you’ll find her handpicked favourites — the hero products she swears by in the salon.
It’s your invitation to explore the range and discover why Christophe Robin has become a quiet obsession among stylists who know their craft.
Click the link below to request your FREE Christophe Robin Discovery Box, exclusively through McM Imports. 👇
MCM
