REALtalk

BUSINESS

FORUM

STRUCTURING YOUR BUSINESS TO REALISE YOUR POTENTIAL

Focus for 2026 is:
FUTURE PROOFING YOUR BUSINESS

The REALtalk Business Forum is where strategy meets creativity. Designed for salon owners, managers, and ambitious stylists, this forum dives deep into the business of hair — from marketing and client retention to leadership, sustainability, and future trends, our theme for 2026 is Charging your worth through pricing and promotion.

We will also deep-dive into e-commerce strategy, marketing your worth and Awards Advocacy plus client service.

Led by industry experts and thought leaders, the sessions go beyond surface-level advice, offering practical insights, actionable strategies, and candid conversations about the challenges and opportunities facing today’s salon professionals to future proof your approach. It’s where ideas spark, partnerships form, and attendees leave empowered to grow their business, all topped off with a buffet lunch with the best!

REALtalk Business Forum is coming back next year Sunday 28 June 2026.

book tickets

2026 REALtalk PROGRAM

Sunday 28 June 2026 | 9.00am – 1.00pm | Parkside 1

8.30am – 9.00am	Coffee and registration
9.00am – 9.05am	Welcome by Cameron Pine (emcee)
9.05am – 9.45am	Economic Trends and E-Commerce
9.45am – 10.15am	Marketing Your Worth “How to stay Booked Out and Cash In” Speaker: Charmaine Schembri Charmaine will dive into how branding, storytelling, and client experience shape what clients are willing to pay. It’s about learning to communicate worth before you even mention price; by building a brand that exudes value, authority, and trust.
10.15am – 10.45am	Panel 1 – Pricing Strategy
10.45am – 11.00am	Morning Tea
11.00am – 11.45am	Marketing Your Worth
11.45am – 12.15pm	Realise Your Potential Panel Sponsored by
12.15pm – 1.00pm	Your Future in the Industry
1.00pm Recap	End of REALtalk
1:00pm – 2:00pm	Buffet Lunch

*Program subject to change

Realtalk Speaker

Charmaine Schembri

International Business & Marketing Strategist, Mentor, International Speaker

Charmaine isn’t just passionate about marketing – she’s lived and breathed it since she was 13. Too young to work legally, she convinced a marketing company to ‘hire’ her in exchange for gifts including a PlayStation, iPod, Nikes, and CDs. Twenty-two years later, her passion for marketing and business is stronger than ever.

As the Founder of Elevate Marketing + Communications, Charmaine works closely with beauty-based businesses, helping them increase profits and become fully booked. She’s partnered with over 500 businesses throughout her career, helping them scale and achieve consistent success. Her hands-on, no-nonsense approach, combined with extensive experience, has made her a trusted expert in business growth.