Barbering

Episode 272

Today's guest is London based Hairdresser, barber, fellow podcaster and salon owner Anthony Laban. On this episode, we discuss Anthony’s journey from managing a large store to owning two boutique salons and two barbershops. 

We dive into the challenges and opportunities these different business models present, including management, recruitment, and marketing strategies. 

Anthony shares insights on the evolution of barbershops, the advantages of boutique salons, colour-focused offerings, and hair replacement systems. 

The episode also touches on the importance of team management, the benefits of employing staff over self-employment, and industry trends. 

And lots more!

IN THIS EPISODE:

02:55 The transition from one big salon to boutique salons

03:47 Naming and branding the separate businesses

07:54 Branching out into barbershops 

16:44 Business structure and profitability of the two different business models

21:21 The role of the front desk in Anthony’s salons

22:36 Offering pieces and hair replacement systems

24:32 Offering hair extensions for post-chemo clients

29:02 Managing barbershops vs. salons

32:16 Employment vs. self-employment in the Industry

36:38 Discussing the future of the Barbering Industry

38:34 Anthony’s lessons learned in business

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RATINGS + REVIEWS

🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated!

They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.

👉 Here's what you do:

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– Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏

Until next time!
Antony

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

The Noble Barber podcast – Instagram 

Mint hair London – Website

Mint hair London – Instagram

Anthony Laban Home – Website

Anthony Laban Home – Instagram

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Episode 247

When one door closes another door opens. Success and setback are two sides of the same coin but it takes a strong personality, self belief and determination to bounce back. 

A couple of years ago I was at ‘salon international’ in London and there was a young barber on stage who was not only doing great work but she also had an infectious personality, combined with an amazing level of energy and confidence that made her stand out from the crowd. 

So today I am really happy to have Hayden Cassidy as a guest on the show. 

In today’s podcast we discuss:

• The attitude and belief that you need to have in life in order to overcome setbacks and succeed.
• The opportunities that a career in barbering can bring about Including being the first Dior Grooming Expert in the UK
• The evolving business model of today’s barbershop

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[1:56] Discussing Haydens background and previous career before seguing into barbering.

[8:46] The journey into barbering and where the passion for the craft came from.

[12:40] How Hayden got to the level she’s at so quickly. 

[18:28] What it’s like working in a male dominated space.

[23:30] Hayden’s incredible achievement of becoming a Dior Grooming Ambassador

[33:14] The studio that Hayden created and works out of called Croi pronounced Cree (it means heart in Gaelic.)

[38:09] Where Hayden sees the trends for barbering, her inspiration and influence.

[42:15] Where you can connect with Hayden online.

Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! 

They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 

I also love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Just click here to review, scroll to the bottom, tap “Ratings and Reviews” tap to rate with 5 stars and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favourite part of the podcast is. Thank you for your support!

Until next time!

Antony

Links and Resources:

Grow My Salon Business 

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Hayden Cassidy 

Instagram | Tiktok | Website | Instagram – Croi

Episode 159

I'm currently doing a monthly series of Facebook live interviews on behalf of John Paul Mitchell Systems. And both the guests and the content have been great, so I am also repurposing them as my weekly podcasts.

The first one is today's episode where I spoke with Clinton Norris and Lucas Doney who, along with Clinton's wife Lauren, are salon and school owners in San Diego. 

They are also extremely nice people who have some interesting insights into the salon of today!

I know you will enjoy this episode where we discuss:

• Changing salon business models 
• Business in a post-Covid world
• Generational changes
• Life as an educator…

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[03:17] Origins of the name of Clinton, Lucas, and Lauren’s salon and creative space; Citizen. 

[05:22] Unique elements that make Citizen more than just a regular salon.

[07:29] Lucas, Clinton, and Lauren’s approach to curating their creative space. 

[10:45] The very effective hybrid business model that is utilized at Citizen. 

[15:23] How they have built a healthy team culture at Citizen. 

[22:34] An explanation of the tiered rental system at Citizen. 

[29:50] Desires and expectations of new generation hairdressers.

[37:23] The core values of Citizen. 

[40:58] Experimentation that has characterized Citizen’s first few years in business.

[42:51] How Paul Mitchell has influenced the way Clinton and Lucas approach their work. 

[47:09] Why the percentage of Citizen’s revenue that comes from retail is very high.  

[51:40] Exploring the educational component of Lucas and Clinton’s working lives. 

[56:22] Clinton and Lucas share their thoughts on how new generation hairdressers are changing the industry. 

Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! 

They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 

I also love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Just click here to review, scroll to the bottom, tap “Ratings and Reviews” tap to rate with 5 stars and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favourite part of the podcast is. Thank you for your support!

Special thanks to Clinton and Lucas for sharing their insights with me for this week’s episode. Until next time!

Antony

Links and Resources:

Grow My Salon Business 

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Citizen

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Book an Appointment

VARSITY Hair Education

Instagram | Facebook

Clinton Norris

Instagram

Lucas Doney

Instagram

Episode 076

I think we’d all agree that the world we live in is an exciting and sometimes challenging place to be! 

But even before COVID decided to unleash all manner of challenges for everyone on the planet, the last 10 years had seen massive changes in the hair and beauty industry from the huge inroads that social media has made to how we market ourselves and our businesses, to the ever-changing business models, and to the reinvention of the barbershop. 

My guest today is John Mosley, also known as ‘Popular Nobody’. John is a very talented barber, an educator and an entrepreneur with a big heart and a smile to match and at 6 foot 6 and 300lbs he cuts an imposing presence!  

In today’s podcast we will discuss:

• The importance of building a brand
• The attributes you need to succeed
• The lessons he’s learnt along the way
• The skills you need as an educator

And lots more!

In This Episode:

[01:46] Welcome to the show, John!

[02:14] John shares his background and what he's doing now.

[04:59] His whole family is in the beauty industry, and it was the last thing he wanted to do as a child.

[06:04] John speaks about being known as The Popular Nobody.

[08:01] John shares what is under his brand, The Popular Nobody, and how he came up with that brand.

[10:20] Do you work behind a chair, or do other parts of the industry take your time?

[13:12] John discusses who all make up The Popular Nobody Collective.

[15:24] John talks about how he ended up with celebrity clients.

[18:12] What's the most fulfilling part of being a barber for you?

[20:50] Listen as John discusses the culture in an African American barbershop. 

[24:02] John speaks about being told he can't do all hair; he can only do black hair.

[26:01] John shares his role with John Paul Mitchell Systems as the Artistic Director.

[28:12] John discusses the lessons he has learned from being behind a chair and transitioning to being an educator.

[30:24] What was the biggest challenge for you when you became an educator?

[33:08] John speaks about how social media and how it has affected his business and the industry in general.

[36:46] John talks about his podcast called Apex.

[40:26] What are the character traits that make someone successful in the beauty industry?

[43:44] John discusses having a child at 22 and how that made him grow up faster.

[45:10] John shares the most important advice they gave him as he was growing up.

[47:00] What is your biggest strength?

[49:05] John speaks about how he has reinvented himself over the years.

[51:23] How do you handle adversity when things don't work out the way you envisioned?

[53:17] John shares the advice he gives young people who want to be barbers.

[56:04] John tells us how to get on his Thursday Zoom calls with people around the world.

[58:26] Thank you for being on the show!

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons at the side or bottom of this post.

Also, I’d love it if you’d leave an honest review for The Grow My Salon Business Podcast. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. I also love to hear what’s been helpful! Just click here to review, Click through to ‘Listen on apple podcasts’ scroll to the bottom, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favourite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on Apple or Google to get automatic updates.

Special thanks to John for sharing his thoughts with me for this week’s episode.

Until next time!

John Mosley

John Mosley

The Apex Podcast

@popular_nobody

Instagram | Twitter

@johnmosley

Instagram