Stop Hiring for Talent. Start Hiring for Alignment.

It’s tempting to hire based on skill. Strong portfolio. Great references. Fast foiling. Clean sectioning.

But technical talent doesn’t guarantee alignment.

And when someone isn’t the right fit—no matter how talented—it disrupts everything. Your team dynamic, your client experience, your peace of mind.

I’ve made this mistake. More than once. And every time, it’s cost me time, money, and energy to undo it.

Here’s what I’ve learned.

Talent is teachable. Alignment is not.

You can train someone to tone, formulate, and finish a cut.
But you can’t teach them how to take feedback, how to support their teammates, or how to genuinely care about the client experience.

Alignment isn’t about being perfect—it’s about showing up in a way that supports the culture you’re building.

Red flags to look out for:

• They only talk about money or bookings in the interview

• They don’t ask questions

• They name-drop or subtly bash previous employers

• They show competitive energy instead of collaborative potential

What alignment actually looks like:

• A growth mindset

• Curiosity over ego

• Emotional maturity

• Shared communication style

• Respect for team values and boundaries

The shift that changed everything for me:

I stopped asking,
“Can they do the job?”
and started asking,
“Do they match the way we do things here?”

Because that’s what leads to a strong, sustainable, culture-driven salon.

Want to hire with more clarity and ease?
I put together a free guide called The Perfect Blend that walks you through my team-building process—from mindset to interview questions.