What does it take for a single mother, after years out of the industry, to build a 7-figure hairdressing salon from the ground up in a "disgusting and dirty" old milk bar? The answer is a simple, powerful, and non-negotiable mindset: failure is not an option.In this inspiring episode, Sean Dunne sits down with Felicity Mace, the creative force behind Salon Mace. Felicity shares her incredible journey from a country town art student to learning the ropes in the glitz and glamour of Sydney's most exclusive salons. She gets brutally honest about the fear and stress of starting her own business from scratch with no clients, and the ingenious "bums on seats" strategy she used to create a buzz from day one.This conversation is a masterclass in grit, creative marketing, and the relentless drive required to succeed against the odds. It’s a powerful story about finding your motivation, the importance of understanding the numbers behind your business, and learning to love the entrepreneurial "roller coaster."What we discussed:[02:15] The pivot from a Fine Arts degree to a high-end hairdressing apprenticeship in Sydney's most exclusive salons.[06:00] Her first taste of business ownership and the invaluable lessons learned running a large, fast-paced salon.[08:15] The Core Mindset: Why "failure is not an option" is the only way to approach entrepreneurship, especially as a single parent.[10:15] The gritty origin story of Salon Mace: transforming an old milk bar into a high-end salon with zero clients.[12:20] The "Bums on Seats" Strategy: A brilliant, low-cost marketing hack to make your new business look busy and generate instant word-of-mouth.[16:20] The "Why": How her children, her staff, and the joy of making people feel good are the ultimate drivers of her success.[20:10] The Biggest Mistake to Avoid: The critical importance of understanding the "back end" of your business—your financials—and not just your bank account balance.[25:30] The Value of the Right Advice: Why a growth-focused business advisor provides a different kind of value than a traditional accountant.[31:00] Planning for the Future: Navigating capacity constraints and the strategic decisions around expansion.[36:00] Her #1 Piece of Advice for New Founders: You have to be 100% "all in." There is no room for doubt.Memorable Quotes:"There was never an inkling in my head that what happens if it doesn't work? It just had to work.""Don't devalue your service. But in the beginning, when I didn't have clients, better to do something uncomplimentary than not do anyone at all.""I used to just look at my bank account. If my bank account was good, I was good. Not realizing all these other things need to be paid out.""Failure is not an option. You have to really want to succeed and you've also got to want to be a business owner.""Business evolves and you have to... You can't go, 'Oh, I'm too old or I don't know anything about it.' You have to go, 'Okay, I'm going to learn.'"Resources Mentioned:Salon Mace: salonmace.com (or relevant site)Follow Salon Mace on Instagram: @salonmaceConnect with the Host, Sean Dunne:Website: https://dominiumcapital.com.au/dominium/LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/sean-dunne-76067429Thank you for tuning in to Origin to Ambition!If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. It helps us reach more aspiring ent

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