Everyone talks about success. Almost no one talks about the in-between.
In this episode, Emma (27) breaks down how she:
• Left Indiana during COVID, moved to California in six weeks, and rebuilt her entire clientele from scratch
• Worked 7 days a week, did Instacart and Amazon Flex to survive, and filled her books in 18 months
• Used free hair as a marketing play — what worked, and what she’d never do again
• Fought burnout (three kinds), set boundaries, and learned to listen to her body
• Redefined wealth as freedom — “How long can I go without working and still maintain my lifestyle?”
• Is pivoting to ownership — real estate license, salon suites, and building a brand that runs without her
• Learned to stop caring what people think, and only take advice from people who’ve actually done it
If you’re building something from scratch, wrestling with burnout, or trying to turn a service hustle into a real business — you’ll feel this one.
Guest: Emma — Salon owner & color/extension specialist
📍 Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
IG: @emmalewishair
Timestamps:
00:00 Cold open – “What if I’m not the first episode?”
00:42 Austen’s mission: success vs. the in-between
01:22 Meet Emma: 27, color & extensions, 3-chair suite
03:05 Starting over twice & the COVID move to California
07:40 Instacart, Amazon Flex & surviving when salons were closed
09:18 The “free hair” play: why it worked — and why she wouldn’t do it again
12:45 Filling a book in 18 months & moving to her own suite
15:28 The exact moment she decided to leave Indiana
18:40 Rebel fuel: “Tell me I can’t, and I will”
22:05 Consistency, patience & why most people quit right before it clicks
24:32 Burnout, boundaries & listening to your body
30:18 Freedom vs. money: redefining wealth
33:40 Salon suites vs. traditional salons: the ownership pivot
38:12 “Don’t take advice from people who haven’t done it”
41:05 Delusional goals, the right friends & protecting your vision
45:10 Final advice: stop caring what people think & go
Welcome to The Breakout Bunch — where real stories from real entrepreneurs come to life.
Hosted by Austen Tucker, this show cuts through the fluff and gets straight to the heart of what makes business owners tick. These are honest, unpolished conversations with self-made founders who are in it for more than just the money — they’re chasing purpose, impact, and something bigger than themselves.
Austen knows the grind firsthand. He’s a seasoned mortgage broker leading a division at one of the nation’s largest mortgage companies, helping hundreds of families get into homes across the country. But beyond that, he’s deeply curious — about business, people, and the choices that shape our lives.
New episodes weekly on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.