EDITOR’S LETTER

I’ve been sitting with this letter for longer than usual.

Not because I didn’t have anything to say... but because right now, everything feels loud. Business is tough. The pressure is real. Clinics are navigating rising costs, changing regulations, client uncertainty, and an overwhelming amount of compliance. It’s exhausting, and if you’re feeling it, you’re not alone.

But here’s what I know for sure: this industry is strong. It’s smart. And it’s made up of people who are capable of incredible things, especially when we stop trying to do it all on our own.

As Editor of Mocha Beauty, I see both sides every day, the burnout and the brilliance. And while we can’t sugar-coat the current climate, we also can’t afford to stay stuck in survival mode. Now more than ever, we need clarity, courage, and community.

That’s why this issue matters. For the first time, I’ve handed the reins to our first ever Guest Editor, the brilliant Nicole Montgomery, who brings her insight and experience to the conversations we need to be having. Her deep-dive into the AHPRA and TGA changes is a wake-up call, but also a practical, level-headed guide to what comes next. This is more than a policy shift, it’s a line in the sand. A moment where you either step up, or risk getting left behind.

And with EOFY approaching, it’s time to pause and take a serious look at your business. Not just the bank balance, the whole picture. Superannuation is going up. Wages are increasing. Expenses are rising across the board. If you don’t know your break-even or where your pricing sits, now’s the time to sort it out.

The start of the new financial year is a good time to block out a business focus day, to do a 360-degree audit of your entire business. Look at the numbers. Look at the team. Look at your client journey, Look at what’s ahead in the next

12 months. What’s been working? What hasn’t? What you have achieved, and have you actually stopped to acknowledge any of it?

Then, look at the challenges. Be honest about where the gaps are. Make a plan, that’s clear and doable.

This isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing what’s necessary. What actually moves the needle.

Back yourself. Stay in your lane. Get clear. And keep moving forward with intention.

Looking ahead, I’m really looking forward to reconnecting with many of you at Beauty Expo Australia on Saturday and Sunday, 16–17 August in Sydney. It’s always a highlight! not just for the new products and education, but for the conversations, the catch-ups, and the sense of community that happens when everyone is all in the same room.

Then on Sunday evening, we come together for our 2025 ABIA Gala event at The Star Sydney, one of the most special nights of the year. It’s our chance to acknowledge the incredible work happening across the industry, celebrate the wins, and take a moment to enjoy it all with the people who truly live and breathe this space.

I can’t wait to see you there.

Lou x

Louise May, Editor - Mocha Beauty Magazine Editor in Chief - Mocha Group

louise@mochagroup.com.au www.mochagroup.com.au @louise_mochagroup @mochabeautymedia