From Grief to Growth: Leslie Flanagan on Mindset, Healing, and Building a Luxury Hair Extension Business

In this heartfelt and deeply inspiring episode of Stylist Soul Tribe Conversations, I’m joined by my dear friend, longtime Soul Tribe member, and powerhouse educator, Leslie Flanagan. Leslie is a master hair extensionist, salon owner, and business coach who is passionate about helping stylists build luxury extension businesses with confidence and clarity—especially those in smaller markets who are dreaming of doing big things.

But this conversation isn’t just about the business side of beauty. It’s about healing, identity, grief, and self-leadership—and how all of these pieces weave together to shape the kind of stylist, coach, and woman Leslie has become today.

Our Origin Story

Leslie and I go way back to our early days in Thrivers Society, where we first crossed paths as two driven creatives navigating this industry with big dreams. She officially joined Stylist Soul Tribe in January of 2021, and we’ve shared years of growth, transition, and real-life evolution since then.

From her powerful moment of asking Lori Harder a question at Thrivers Live in 2020—when Soul Tribe was just a baby idea—to the friendships she’s formed and the inner work she’s done to create deeper relationships with women, Leslie's journey is nothing short of inspiring.

Rewriting the Narrative

One of the most touching parts of our conversation centered around Leslie’s candid reflection on what it meant to raise daughters while healing her own wounds around female friendships. Her vulnerability about feeling disconnected from women in the past—and her conscious decision to break that cycle for her girls—offers a powerful reminder of how personal growth and business leadership are often deeply connected.

“There was a reason I was meant to have girls. I needed to heal my own relationships with other women.” – Leslie Flanagan

Mindset, Grief & The Power of Perspective

Leslie also opened up about the tragic loss of her brother in 2010, sharing how grief has shaped her mindset, her drive, and her approach to life and work. Her strength in navigating that loss—and choosing to return to the salon just two weeks later—is a testament to her resilience and belief in moving forward, even when it hurts.

We also talked about the misconception that mindset work is all about “fixing the negative.” Leslie beautifully reframes this by encouraging stylists to double down on the good—to identify the strengths passed down by family, the moments of courage, and the spark that lives within.

“You can fake confidence. You can fake courage. But you can’t fake skill or knowledge. That’s where you’ve got to get real.” – Leslie Flanagan

Shifting into Alignment

Over the last year, Leslie has undergone a major shift—stepping more fully into her role as an independent educator and launching high-touch coaching for stylists looking to grow their extension business. She’s co-founded Local Luxury with Susie, and together they’re teaching stylists how to elevate their weft services by integrating K-Tips into their installations.

But it’s more than just business—it’s alignment. Leslie has done the work to declutter her calendar, let go of what wasn’t serving her, and say yes to the things that feel like a full-body “YES.” And the result? Momentum. Confidence. Flow.

“The moment I stopped trying to do five million things and got clear, everything changed.” – Leslie Flanagan

This episode was such a beautiful reminder that healing and success aren’t separate—they’re intertwined. Leslie’s story is proof that even after the darkest losses and most painful challenges, it’s possible to come out stronger, more grounded, and more aligned than ever before.

If you’re navigating grief, rebuilding your confidence, or just feeling stuck in your business, let this episode serve as a permission slip: to take your time, honor your story, and keep showing up—especially for yourself.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2212187/episodes/16563552

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