Hey, hey, welcome to the Summit Host Hangout Podcast where you'll learn how to host a high converting virtual summit that leads to your biggest signature offer launch yet. I'm your host, Krista from Summit in a Box. And I am so excited for our episode today. Because we focus a lot on this podcast about how great summits are for you and your business. Like naturally, we're business owners we need to grow. It's the easiest thing for me to talk about. It grabs your attention. And that's what we're all about here. But we had a series back around episode, I think it started in Episode 216, where we explored how you can incorporate your values and what's important to you into your Summit, how you can make a difference how you can get back, and I have a guest today who is giving us such a beautiful example of that. So we are going to chat with someone today I've been lucky enough to work with in our Launch with a Summit Accelerator program. And he teaches beauty professionals how to streamline automate and elevate their processes and businesses. He started his career at 16 years old, he's been named a beauty launchpads a youngest up and coming hair colorist of 2020 Modern salons top 100 stylists of 2021 2021 face of solo salons, and more you can tell he is like on a mission. And he's making waves and it is just wonderful. He also hosts a pretty incredible and impactful Summit. So without further ado, let's dive in and talk with Hunter Dhonielle. Welcome Hunter.
Hello, Krista. How are you?
I'm doing great. I'm so excited to talk with you about this today and really to open people's eyes to the wider impact and purpose that a summit can have and how it can go beyond so much more than just them in their results. So thank you so much for being willing to share with us, I think it's going to be a really great conversation. So I guess before we dive into all of that, I give a little intro to what you do. But I know it barely scratches the surface. So give us your version of who you are and what you do.
Yeah, I think you covered it pretty well. So basically, we like to ... I'm really passionate about the beauty industry, I started out as a hairstylist and I found some really great success within my hair styling business. And our industry just unfortunately is really is lightyears behind when it comes to business education and like understanding how to get out of our, you know, $28,000 per year average salary. And this industry means so much to me, it's given so much to me. So I, what I've learned and with my nerdy business brain, I decided to start to teach hairstylist those same skills. So that way, they would never feel like they have to give up this career that they may love. And that gives them so much passion and purpose and allows us to make a big impact in the world. Like that's what I've always loved most about being a hairdresser from the very beginning is that we get to make such a beautiful impact in other people's lives. And by domino effect and like the community and truly I believe the world. And to be able to now do that on this level. Like where I'm teaching other hair stylists to be able to make that same impact. It's just so I'm so I feel so privileged to be able to do so. So we teach people a lot about just all over their business, but specifically like their processes and their systems and how to make things more efficient and automated. Because when you're especially when you're an independent stylist or a business owner, that's by yourself, a lot of the day to day, mundane tasks can get to be a lot. And so we teach those hairstylist how to make those things a lot easier automated and get it taken off their plate, basically.
Absolutely. And just thinking to all the different hairstyles I've ever been to, like I can think of so many that I should have just like handed your cards. Like you need Hunter. You know, it's like, I love the impact you're making and your passion or it's so cool. So, okay, you have this business helping hair stylists, what was it that made you decide to go for it with your first summit?
Yeah, so I had been getting your Facebook ads. I was like this concept is really fascinating. And then I actually had a friend Her name is Piper Dae Jung, who put on a summit as well. And I think that she use some of your teachings and resources as well. And I just thought it was so freakin awesome. Because I love collaborating with other educators within my space, and to like collaboratively make an impact. And I also needed to grow my list. And I was completely like, I started my online business without ads, like completely, like, I completely grew organically. And so organic was what I knew. And to me, I was like, this is such a beautiful organic marketing strategy that I don't have to invest any money into if I don't want to, in which I can grow my list and I can collaborate with his other educators and borrow their audiences and make a big impact in the industry. Right. So I wanted to do that for that purpose. And then, as I've listened to you, and I've learned from you, I also realized like, wow, there's also like opportunity to make money here. But for me, I didn't really care much about the money. Like that wasn't my main purpose for like, why I want to do it because we make the majority of our income through our main launches, right? So for me, I was like, Well, if we can make some money, then I might as well use this opportunity to put the money towards something that I believe in I think is important, which is why we ended up for Bo With our summits that we've done contributing 100% of the proceeds towards bipoc beauty school scholarships. And, for me reparations and social justice and anti racism work is really important to me. And to be able to use this right to be able to raise that money and put it towards something that I truly believe in. And that is really, really important. It has been so gratifying. And it's been amazing to get the industry involved, you know, and for all of us to pitch in, and to be able to learn and connect and grow, make an impact in each other's lives, and then make an impact and people who are very worthy of being made an impact in you know, so So yeah, that's how we got into it. And it's been really successful and beautiful thus far.
Yeah, I love that you started out like your goal is less growth. That's what I'm guessing like, you can look back and be like, holy crap, like, it's so much more than that.
Totally went 100%. We've definitely grown the list. And we've definitely been able to nurture people who have may have never known who I was before. But the main goal is the impact and raising the raising the funds for the scholarships, and it has just opened up like a whole new world for everybody, like my team and me and my business, like the people who are involved. Like, it's been really fantastic.
Yeah, and something else I really love about this is the I mean, the impact you're making through what you do, but also the impact that's being made through other people seeing what you do. So you are setting this example, for all the other speakers who are coming in like, oh, I can run my business a little differently. I bet there are tons of them who have started like incorporating things like what you're doing, because you set that example. And then the same thing for the stylists who are coming to the summit, seeing this cause you're supporting and like having their eyes opened to how important it is and things I had never thought about before. And even that right there. Even if it's just them thinking about something differently, or considering it differently. That is huge. Because 1000s of people. And I know there are some people in there who have taken action because of that, too. So like, it's incredible. It's beautiful. I love that you do that. And I know like there's zero part of you. That does it for like the attention the gratification or anything like that. But like I need to point this out so other people can see like the impact you can make. When you incorporate something like this in your summer. It's like, it's it just like snowballs, and it's just really incredible. So some logistical questions for you. For people who are whose ears are perked me up, like, oh, like I do have other areas of my business that are making good money. I don't need the all-access pass sales, or maybe I don't need all of it, or whatever it is, how did you decide how much to donate? How did you decide like 100% of proceeds are are going here?
Well, for us, like I shared like this is more of a reparation kind of situation for me. And when it comes to that I really like to go like 100% This is not for me like this is for this initiative, holy, you know. And so for that reason, most majority is the reason why I was like, let's just give 100% of it away, I you know, I don't need this, and I want this to go towards these scholarships. Also be useful is expensive. And I wanted to make sure that like, as many people would be able to benefit from those scholarships as possible. As many we'd be able to give as many scholarships as we could. I also didn't know how many how much money we would even raised, you know, especially the first time it's been a, it's been an interesting experience in my business recently of just realizing that you're never going to know how anything goes. So you just have to try it and see, you know, it's taken me a, it's taken me a while with like owning a business to finally be comfortable with the fact that like, not everything is going to be predictable. Like you just have to try it for the first time and see, first time we were able to raise $25,000, which was like, mind blowing, like, it was just like, absolutely insane, and just so exciting that we were able to, like give that money to like something that was so important and so amazing. You know, so I don't know, did that answer your question? I have ADHD? Probably.
Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. I love it. I'm also curious to hear how you incorporated that in your assignment, because I'm guessing you wanted your attendees to know about it. But I also know that you didn't want the gratification or whatever.
Yeah, I didn't want to be like glorified per se. So it's on the front end, I was very much like not like the you know, like the the featured person per se, you know, it was just like, here are all of educators. And here's what you'll get from joining this. And like that'll be that and then our All Access Pass, which is like on the back end of the registration. So they register in the form, the thrivecart opens up and then it gives them like the offer. And then in there I just share with them like all the benefits of the All Access Pass. But then I also share with them like to like you could be supporting a really worthy initiative, and something that's important. And then yeah, and then that's how that's how I sell it on the front end. Once they're in there, though, you know, there is also the purpose of making sure that I'm building my email list right and like, like the business has to Throw the the summit's have to happen. And if they to be able to make this impact, and the summit's can't happen if I can't afford to have my team, you know, so you know, at the end of the day, I do have to make sure that this has beneficial for me to be able to continue on with these initiatives. Right. And so once they actually get in there, then I'm really nurturing them as far as like who I am, and I'm the host, and I'm also teaching classes, etc, etc. So yeah, and then as we go along, I would always, like tell them, like, where we were in the numbers as far as like how much money we raised, and then I would set like a goal for the audience, you know, like the people who were there. And I'd be like, Okay, we're here how, like, let's see if we can get to here, you know, and it just, and it wasn't just the All Access Pass sales, it was also like the nonprofit that we work with, who actually sets up the scholarships, where all the money goes to, they had like a general donation link that specifically went to the initiative that we were going towards, so then we would also have that as well, too. So it was just really encouraging them, getting them really excited and telling them like you should be really proud of yourself for investing in yourself, invest in your education, investing in something that's important and cool. Like, as we go through the event,
I love that I love that you're putting the ball in their court and cheering them on to be making the difference. It's not about you. And that's I think that's where it feels good. I have run into issues myself before when I've just had a different causes. And like, you know, I put it on the registration page, I'm like, it feels kind of weird, like I want to know about it, but like it feels a little off. And I think like this is the difference, like they are getting the credit, they are being encouraged to make the decision for themselves. You know, it sounds like you're doing something they are doing.
Exactly that is and I think that for anything that you would do, especially for what we what we've done, I think that that is exactly how it should be approach is like this is not about me at all. But this is about how you can help us make a difference. You know,
I love that. Something else you were saying is kind of like a side tangent. But related, I have so many people since I specifically talk about launching my summits, I hear so many people say I don't want to come on, like I don't want to be salesy. I don't want to bring them in and sell to them or whatever. You can't make an impact in your business. If you're not selling to your people, period. Like you don't need to be gross about it. But they need to know your offers exist. And they're not going to if you don't make the invitation. So it sounds like you have a really great balance of that.
I mean, yeah, like, you know, I just, this is difficult for a lot of people, right? The fact is, you know, not everything that you do in business is going to feel comfortable or necessarily like in alignment. But if you have a big goal, if you have, like a big mission or purpose to make a big impact in the world, then you got to play by the rules that have been handed to us, you know, and then you guys got to freaking embrace it and do it scared to do it uncomfortable, or like you said, like, you'll never be able to actually take a step forward and making that goal or making that dream come true. So maybe sales may feel icky to you. But at the end of the day, like you have to ask yourself, like, Are you selling something that you believe in? Or are you selling something that you know is going to make an impact in somebody else's life, and just it's not fair that you don't get paid for that right like, and also if you don't get the money for it, then somebody's not going to be committed to it and they're not actually going to make that get the transformation at the end of the day. So it's worth you working through that uncomfortability of the salesy Ness, it's worth you embracing it even you know, I've, as a hairstylist, what the what big shampoo brands a lot of times, right, what they would do to get there, they're the hairstylist to sell products is they would be like, Oh, you're not selling you're like educating your clients about these products. And I'd be like, no, like, we're embracing sales, like we are embracing the fact that we are a salesperson, because we know that sales means that you can make an impact in somebody else's life and like that is totally okay. For you to embrace, you know,
absolutely. I love that so much. And I feel like we could go on a whole separate tangent, but I'm gonna stay for Yeah,
I'm sorry, y'all.
It's an it's a needed into the into discussion. And I think it's it is perfect in this episode where we're talking about giving back and making an impact, but also saying like, you also need to be making money like the two the two go hand in hand with that. So it's a good tangent for us to go down. So I mean, I guess one of my last questions is, are you happy with how this balance has been working out for you, when you're looking at other ways of how you're generating revenue through your course through the membership that I just learned about before we started recording? Are you happy with your decision to do it this way? Do you think you'll keep donating all of your summit proceeds?
Yeah, absolutely. 100% You know, what this does for the morale of my team. What this I think like you said, you know, I feel I tend to feel a little bit boastful or I don't know. Again, I don't love to be glorified with the situation. But I do think make I do think getting this type of message out there is important. I do think raising awareness is important and showing other people what's possible, I think is really important. And so, so boldly saying like we are we are moving 100% of these proceeds towards bipoc, specifically bipoc beauty school scholarships. I think it's something that's really important. It's something that I'm really passionate about, and the fact that I have the privilege, the opportunity and the platform to be able to continuously do that. It's, it's why would I not take advantage of that. And I think it would almost be wrong if I didn't take advantage of that to do what we're doing so far. And it has been beneficial for in all aspects, right. So in so many different ways. So absolutely. I 100% want to continue to do it this way. For sure.
I love it. One more question. I did not prep before ahead of time, so we can edit this baby out if we need to. But do you have any advice or thoughts on how someone could should whatever choose what types of organizations to donate to throw their events?
Well, my brain goes two ways my brain goes first to like business eat technical tactics, the situation of it, which is, which is do something that your audience is aligned with, right, like, obviously, like do something that your audience would be naturally aligned with, do something that's relevant to your offer relevant to the subject and the matter of the your Summit, or of your program, or whatever it is, you know, I think that that is kind of like that'll go hand in hand, it'll make things a lot more in flow will make things easier for you to talk about, it'll make it you like putting it in there easier, and your audience will respond way more to it, obviously. And then the other side of the coin is also you have to believe in it to, you know, like you have to like fully like under like you this has to be fully something that is within your core values, that you know how to responsibly speak about, you know, you understand you're educated about the topic as well. And also, if you're going to be moving money towards something, just please make sure that you have done your research with the with the people, especially if you plan on like if you're going to be making like a couple 1000s or even 10s of 1000s of dollars to be pushing towards these people, I would start to create a relationship with them. Because our relationship that we created with our nonprofit that we move all over my money to has been super beneficial for us as far as networking and connection and more legitimacy as like as a company and then as a summit even like as its own entity, you know, which then has allowed us to get more like big name educators and into our space, and then sponsors as well, too. So this past time, we got a bunch of sponsorship money, and we were we actually put the sponsorship money, all 100% into Facebook ads to be able then to like do like like multiply the amount of money that we actually raised on the All Access Pass. And so also get more registrants and raise more awareness, etc, and make a bigger impact, share more education, etc, etc. So being able to say to the sponsors, like, Hey, we're working with this nonprofit, and they have our back and like we CC them on the email, etc, etc. Like this legitimate, you know, nonprofit was really helpful in being able to pitch and also that the companies who are sponsoring us, and then even the educators who were joining us, they knew that the money was going to a legitimate place. I had no interest in handling those scholarships by myself at all. So I was like, Oh, we're gonna have this legitimate, amazing, like, proven nonprofit handle all this stuff. And we're gonna partner with them to make it happen. So make them like a partner, have conversations with them, like create a relationship with them, and then make sure that they're aligned with your core values, and you're educated with what they're doing.
Oh, I love that so much. You're taking it like way further than I've ever even thought about. So you're opening my mind right now. And I'm like, going. Yeah, this is cool. Thank you so much for sharing all this. Thank you for setting this example for all of us. I'm really excited to hear what people take away with it and how how they actually implement it in their events, and I'm going to be biting you whenever I hear a story. So tell us your story. Do I need me here? Yeah, so I'd love to know So Hunter, what is the biggest takeaway you would like people to get from what we talked about today,
that you can have a business that thrives and that offers you the life that you want, but simultaneously that makes an impact in the world you know, and that you love and like that it doesn't feel like I don't know that does doesn't feel like like you said like slimy and salesy and weird like if you truly believe in what you're doing, and if you truly are making an impact and other people's lives then like it should feel good. It should feel easy. Although things aren't going to be comfortable per se, it should still feel in like alignment and it should still feel like something that you believe in and that you're willing to fight for and you're willing to go through the hard times for
Absolutely. I love that so much. Thank you for sharing where can people go to learn more about you and your offering and all this good stuff?
Okay, so this is gonna sound awful. So actually, I actually a lot of the times I say no to podcast interviews, or anything that doesn't have to do with my niche, or like having an audience that is not like somebody who could be a potential customer of mine in the future. So here's the thing. If you're a hairstylist, and you want to learn more about automating and systematizing your business, go ahead and follow me @hairbyhunty. If you're not, then please follow me from afar. I love you so much. And I would love to chat with you in the DMS. But don't follow me, please, it'll mess up my algorithm.
Oh my gosh, hey, honesty, right?
I'm sorry. I just I'm like a freak like that. Like, I've been asked to be on like, massive podcasts that I would nerd out about because like, I'm so excited to be on here chatting with you today. Like I'm like, hell yeah, this is so cool. And I said yes to this because I enjoy you. I appreciate what you have done for my for my life and my business. But also because I think that what we're doing here could help a lot of people as well. Right. But as far as I think very super deeply analytically about my business and my audience and stuff like that. So I apologize for sounding weird, but
I think that example for us, so go send them a DM don't follow him. Say hi, go check out what he's doing. Keep an eye out for his next summit. It's all good. Thank you so much for being here, Hunter and thank you so much for everyone for tuning in. For show notes and resources head to the link in the episode description. For now go out and take action to plan, strategize and launch your high converting virtual Summit.
