Episode 308

Build a Team That Stays | Eva DuPont | Director of Business Development | Infiniti HR

You can care deeply about your team and still be missing the structure that helps them stay.

That is the part a lot of salon/shop owners feel, but do not always know how to fix.

In this episode, Eva DuPont, Director of Business Development at Infiniti HR, breaks down why building a team that stays is not just about hiring good people, it is about creating clarity around expectations, compensation, benefits, HR, payroll, compliance, and growth. She explains how small gaps in structure can turn into bigger problems over time, and how salon owners can start building a more professional, protected, and supportive business from the inside.

🚨🎤 Eva will be taking the stage at the 4th annual Beauty Business Brunch on July 19th in Washington, DC, where she'll help owners evaluate their own business, identify what may be attracting or pushing away talent, understand common payroll mistakes, and leave with clear next steps based on their stage of business.

👀Learn more and join us: https://www.hairdresserstrong.com/beauty-business-brunch

Key Takeaways:

🔅A team that stays needs structure - Retention is not only about being a good person or having a good vibe. Team members need clear communication, expectations, policies, growth pathways, and compensation structure.

🔅HR (human resources) is part of the full employee experience - Eva explains that HR touches the entire employee lifecycle, from hiring and onboarding to communication, documentation, payroll, benefits, and what happens when someone leaves.

🔅Compensation needs to be clearly communicated - Pay structure should not be vague or assumed. Owners need to be clear about how people are paid, what growth looks like, and what opportunities exist.

🔅Benefits are part of compensation - Pay is not the only thing team members care about. Benefits, PTO, sick time, 401k options, employee assistance programs, and voluntary benefits can all help people feel more supported.

🔅People stay where they feel valued - Eva shares that team members are more likely to stay when they feel cared for, supported, and able to grow.

🔅HR does not feel urgent until something goes wrong - Many owners do not think about HR until there is a problem, a complaint, a legal letter, a payroll issue, or a labor law concern.

🔅Misclassification can be expensive - Eva talks about how classifying workers incorrectly can create serious fines, penalties, and legal exposure for a business.

🔅Employee handbooks and documentation matter - A legally reviewed handbook, clear policies, and written expectations can help protect the business and create more consistency for the team.

🔅A PEO can help small businesses access bigger-business support - Eva explains that a PEO can support payroll, HR, workers comp, liability protection, and benefits by giving small businesses access to a larger employee pool.

🔅Being proactive is cheaper than being reactive - It is better to understand your exposure, get systems in place, and correct issues early than wait until a problem becomes expensive.

RELATED LINKS

📱Follow Eva on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/eva_peo_consultant/

🔑Learn more about how Eva & Infiniti HR can help you - https://www.salonhrpartner.com/salonhrpartner

The Hairdresser Strong Show is all about Salon Owners, Rising Stylists, and Seasoned Stylists sharing their experiences, successes, failures, and advice to inform, educate, and empower their Fellow Hairdresser. We won’t stop until we are all: Hairdresser Strong.

CONNECT WITH US

📬 Subscribe to our free newsletter

📸 Connect on Instagram

🎵 Connect on TikTok

📺 Watch on YouTube

📝 Check out our Blog

The views and opinions of our guests are theirs and important to hear. Each guest's views and opinions are their own and we aim to bring you diverse perspectives, career paths and thoughts about the craft and industry so you can become Hairdresser Strong! They do not necessarily reflect the positions of HairdresserStrong.com

About the Podcast

Show artwork for The Hairdresser Strong Show
The Hairdresser Strong Show
Supporting Rising & Transforming Stylists

About your host

Profile picture for Robert Hughes

Robert Hughes

“I THINK HAIRSTYLISTS ARE THE COOLEST, NICEST, AND MOST FUN GROUP OF PEOPLE ON THE PLANET! I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT USHERING IN AN EMPOWERED-STYLIST FUTURE, AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVE GETTING STYLISTS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE TOGETHER IN A NON-COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT WHERE WE CAN LEARN, LAUGH, AND GROW TOGETHER.”
-Said by ME!
Robert started his hair journey as a kid in rural America offering haircuts on the street to kids in the neighborhood, not realizing, one day, he would find himself working the front desk at a hair salon while in high school. From there, his experience from salon-to-salon has included the front of the house, back of the house, stylist, educator, and consultant. It was during this movement through various salons he developed a passion to empower stylists and educate owners on how to raise the industry standard of excellence, mutual respect, and professionalism amongst stylists, managers, owners, and clients. Robert currently is the General Manager and a Master Stylist at Violet Salon in Georgetown, DC.