Education

Episode 181

My guest on today’s Podcast is Toronto-based hairdresser Kristin Rankin, a salon owner at Fox & Jane and the founder of the Dresscode Project.

The salon industry is traditionally very gendered, and the Dresscode Project aims to create gender-affirming spaces through training and educating people working in the industry to give people haircuts that make them look the way they feel!

In today’s episode, we will discuss:

• What exactly the Dresscode Project does, and the impact it is having
• The concept of suitability
• Salon pricing…

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[05:50] Kristin explains how the Dresscode Project is helping to transform the hairdressing industry.
[06:45] The story behind the name Dresscode Project.
[09:23] Kristin’s experience of gender dysphoria and how it inspired them to found the Dresscode Project.
[12:22] How the Dresscode Project has grown since its founding in 2017.
[14:02] Why the creation of safer spaces is the goal of the Dresscode Project.
[16:16] Kristin shares the founding story of the Dresscode Project.
[23:33] Benefits of the partnership that the Dresscode Project has entered into with Pantene.
[26:45] How to join the other 550 salons that are part of the Dresscode Project.
[28:05] The Dresscode Project’s inclusive approach to categorizing and pricing haircuts and styles.
[38:54] How Kristin helps salons transition from gendered pricing to gender-neutral pricing.
[43:09] Why not making your salon gender-affirming is bad for business.
[45:11] The salon industry’s capacity to be gender-affirming.

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 Kristin 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 | TikTok

Kristin Rankin

Instagram

Dresscode Project

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Fox and Jane

Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Episode 172

The best way to learn is to ask questions and to be ready to question your own beliefs and attitudes, to be vulnerable, to listen, to be open, honest, tolerant, and prepared to broaden your own perspective…

This year, in particular, an area that I (and many others) have learnt more about is the issues around race. And as hairdressers, the direct impact that it has in terms of the training we get, the products we use, and the services we offer, particularly around textured hair.

On today’s podcast, my guest is Mahogany Plautz.

Among the many hats, she wears is that of hairdresser, former suite owner, a self-titled ‘Hair Historian and Activist’ and an educator for John Paul Mitchell Systems.

This episode was originally done as part of a series of live video recordings for Paul Mitchell, but I decided to repurpose it for the podcast as it is a great conversation.

Initially, it went out on Facebook and Youtube and so if you’d rather watch the video just head on over to my YouTube channel @GrowMySalonBusiness and watch it there.​

In this Episode:

[02:50] Mahogany Introduces herself and shares when she started her career as a hairdresser.

[07:34] The journey from beauty school to salon and the struggles with learning how to take care of textured hair.

[13:00] Talking about specialisation within all the different areas of cutting, colouring and ‘doing’ hair.

[25:00] The Crown Act legislation to end hair discrimination

[33:30] The art of braiding hair 

[40:00] Education regarding the background of locks.

[43:00] Becoming a hair historian and activist.

[54:22] Mahogany and Antony discuss hair and salon traditions and cultures.

[1:02:00] Using the right products for hair types and specifically textured hair.

 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 Mahogany for sharing her story with me for this week’s episode. Until next time!

Links and Resources:

Grow My Salon Business

If you would rather watch this episode on our YouTube channel.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Mahogany Plautz

Instagram | Facebook |  TikTok

 The Crown Act: 

Website | Facebook | Instagram 

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 151

Over the last 20 years, salon hair fashion has predominantly been focused on colour and styling, whereas the ’60s to the ’90s were the era of the haircut. 

Many young hairdressers today are terrified about the thought of ‘cutting’ unless it's taking the ends off long hair and many salon owners say that they just can’t find stylists who have the technical and creative skills to cut hair well.

My guest on today's Podcast is Ben Brown, who has built a very successful cutting education company and although based in the UK, works in many countries teaching the art and science of what makes a great haircut.

In today’s podcast, we discuss:

• Why opening a salon isn’t for everyone
• Starting an online education company
• Teaching technique and suitability

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[02:37] Ben shares an overview of his personal, educational, and professional life. 

[05:49] The character trait that has been key to Ben’s success. 

[09:02] Ben shares what drew him to hairdressing. 

[12:12] What drove Ben to open his own salon, and then close it after 6 years. 

[21:23] Ben’s top pieces of advice for anyone interested in opening a salon.  

[24:54] Where Ben’s journey as a cutting educator began.

[30:18] The misconception that Ben had about education in the salon industry before he entered the space. 

[33:56] How Ben’s education business is structured. 

[36:41] Factors that Ben believes make someone a good hair cutter.

[39:18] The main goal that Ben aims to achieve through his role as an educator. 

[45:29] Ben’s approach to teaching suitability. 

[02:34] Why current changes taking place in the salon industry aren’t negatively impacting Ben’s company.

[55:52] Advice for finding models on whom to practice cutting short hair. 

[59:52] The multitude of resources offered by Ben’s online education company.  

[1:03:39] Why Ben does what he does. 

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 Ben for sharing his insights with me for this week’s episode.

Until next time!

Antony

Links and Resources:

Grow My Salon Business 

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Bbeducation

Website | Instagram | YouTube

The episode mentioned with Paul Stafford Episode 115

Episode 133

The Journey to Building Your Own Education Brand with Sally Rogerson.

I always think it’s important to dream. To want a better life for yourself and your family and importantly to have the courage and the grit to step into the unknown and see where it leads you.

My guest on today's Podcast is one such person, her name is Sally Rogerson and her hairdressing journey started out in a small town in the north of England and after a fascinating and varied career 30 years later she is the proud owner of SR Academy which is a hairdressing education company based in Scottsdale Arizona.

In today's episode we discuss:

• Sally's hairdressing journey and the lessons she’s learnt along the way.
• Life-changing moments… and…
• How education is changing

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[00:55] Learn about my next guest, Sally Rogerson. 

[02:11] Sally shares a bit about her backstory and how she got involved in hair. 

[05:02] Does she miss anything about her younger years? 

[05:53] Was she always focused on the education piece? 

[07:03] What was the transition from London to L.A. like? 

[08:29] Has she ever considered having a salon of her own? 

[09:34] Was there one particular moment that pushed her to create her education business? 

[14:20] Where does her comfort with change come from? 

[17:55] Sally retells a story from her early days in the United States. 

[21:37] Why Scottsdale? 

[24:59] Learn about SR Academy. 

[28:20] What is it that makes a good teacher in cosmetology? 

[32:47] How can you tell if someone will be a good hairdresser? 

[34:53] The ways her view of fashion and cosmetology has changed through the years. 

[38:44] How social media has impacted her business and career. 

[42:16] What influence has social media had on education overall?

[44:51] In what ways will the switch toward freelancing change the education space? 

[50:25] Sally’s insights on apprenticeship versus beauty school. 

[55:55] One of the biggest struggles in the industry is that people finish school and then quit the industry.

[56:46] Why Sally wishes she was better at the business part. 

[58:42] Connect with Sally. 

[59:56] Sally’s final words for everyone in 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 Sally for sharing her insights with me for this week’s episode. Until next time!

Antony

Links and Resources:

Grow My Salon Business 

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Sally Rogerson

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Email 

SR Academy

Website | Instagram

Thrive Sessions Hair Show

Episode 132

Many hairdressers aspire to be educators. And over the last few years, due to the rapid growth in social media, and more recently with a little help from Covid, there has been an explosion of people jumping online and getting into the educator space.

Some of them are obviously a lot better than others. So, what is it that sets educators apart? And what are the skills and mindset that a salon stylist needs to develop if they want to succeed as an educator? 

My guest on today's Podcast is Chris Moody; hairdresser and educators’ educator.  

In today’s podcast we discuss:

• What makes a good teacher
• The biggest mistake that educators make
• How education is changing
• How we need to ‘learn to learn’ in the online space…

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[02:33] Chris’s two different roles within the salon industry.  

[04:28] Reasons that Chris loves working behind the chair, which he has been doing since he was 16 years old. 

[07:55] Where Chris’s interest in becoming an educator originated, and what his journey in this field has looked like to date.  

[13:06] Chris’s thoughts on the evolution in online education that has taken place since the pandemic began.

[16:38] How to determine whether a teacher has been successful in educating their students. 

[18:08] An explanation of what ChrisCamp is, and what you can expect to learn as an attendee.

[19:36] The biggest mistake that educators make, according to Chris. 

[22:33] Some of the key characteristics that make a great teacher.  

[26:51] Pros and cons of using social media for educational purposes.  

[31:26] What Chris believes education is going to look like in the future. 

[35:00] Strategies to make online sessions more immersive and enjoyable for participants. 

[42:29] Chris’s biggest frustrations with his fellow educators. 

[45:09] Examples of how to alter your teaching approach to suit different generations of students, and three things that you should make clear to your students before any lesson.

[47:38] Impacts of social media on the education sector. 

[49:18] A concern that Chris has about the increase of independent salons. 

[51:27] What Chris wishes he was better at, and the self-improvement work he is currently doing. 

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 Chris for sharing his insights with me for this week’s episode. Until next time!

Antony

Links and Resources:

Grow My Salon Business 

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Chris Moody

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok

ChrisCamp

Website

Episode 121

Gianni Scumaci was born into a hairdressing family, with a mother who was a hairdresser and a father who was a barber, the hairdressing ‘gene' was in his blood right from the start.

Living above the barbershop he was introduced into the world of hair as a young boy sweeping the floor and cutting hair from the age of ten.

Today, Gianni is quite simply one of the very best haircutters there is.

One of the things that make Gianni stand out is that not only is he good with his hands, he also has a great mind and is able to articulate and inspire hairdressers everywhere with his humility, enthusiasm and passion for the craft.

In this episode we discuss:

• The importance of nurturing creativity
• The number 1 ingredient when it comes to suitability.
• Why it's important to have pride in being a hairdresser

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[01:45] An introduction to today’s guest: Gianni Scumaci.

[04:43] How Gianni defines creativity and suitability.

[07:25] Gianni explains why aesthetic suitability is of little interest to him.

[09:47] What it means to “read between the lines” and “listen to what’s not being said,” according to Gianni.

[12:30] Gianni reviews his process for teaching hairdressers how to give more effective consultations.

[14:41] Learning to read someone while working with mannequin heads.

[16:50] Teaching people with varying backgrounds and learning styles is like nurturing plants in a garden.

[18:40] Here are a couple of takeaways salon owners can use to nurture the talent on their own teams.

[20:20] Ruling by fear is not how Gianni managed his salon.

[22:15] Gianni tells a story about a soiree that had everyone in the salon put their names in a hat, draw names, and do haircuts in the style of the names that were drawn.

[24:50] How working under pressure nurtures Gianni’s own creativity.

[27:35] Bringing out the best in a woman’s looks, in Gianni’s opinion.

[30:15] The way a woman walks with a haircut is so much more different than how she looks with it.

[31:41] We learn who inspires Gianni creatively.

[34:22] Gianni discusses how the Italian aesthetic influences his work in fashion and beauty.

[37:40] This is what Gianni learned as a hairdresser working in the editorial realm of the beauty industry.

[39:54] What Gianni learned during his first ten years as a professional versus his second and third decades.

[41:10] Why Gianni believes he’s always belonged with photographers.

[43:45] Gianni reveals how he developed “his eye” as it applies to hair styling.

[45:48] The importance of collaboration.

[48:50] This is what it takes to be a good hairdresser, in Gianni’s perspective.

[50:13] What Gianni learned out of the salon versus what he learned in the salon.

[53:09] Gianni digs deep into how his technique evolved.

[55:30] Gravitating to the people whose influence Gianni wants is key.

[56:43] Antony talks about Gianni’s work as being balanced, soft, and beautiful.

[57:54] Gianni touches on the importance of awards.

[1:00:12] The importance of GS Online.

[1:01:50] The origin of GS Online.

[1:04:32] Gianni is passionate about the value of hairdressers in society.  Here’s why.

[1:06:37] Hairdressers fulfil a social function on a par with everyone else.

[1:09:20] What it takes to be a successful hairdresser.

[1:10:21] Antony wraps up the conversation.

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 Gianni Scamuci for sharing his insights with me for this week’s episode. Until next time!

Antony

Links and Resources:

Grow My Salon Business

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Gianni Scumaci

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Episode 120

Although most of us started in the same place—meaning after beauty school or an apprenticeship—the next step is to be a stylist in a salon.

For some people, they will then spend their entire career building up a loyal clientele and the great relationships and friendships that come with it.

But for others, they move into different paths in the industry, whether it’s as an editorial stylist or an educator, or perhaps into the product side of the business.  There are many opportunities should you wish to pursue them.

My guest on today’s Podcast is Mike Karg, and although Mike started out on a traditional path, he’s worked in multiple roles and countries—from salon-based stylist to platform artist, to photographic work, to being an educator and product developer.

In this episode we discuss:

• The options that a hair-dressing career gives you if you want to pursue them
• Why working in more than one salon has become a thing
• And what it takes to develop your own scissor line

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[03:15] An overview of today’s guest, Mike Karg.

[06:00] How Mike managed to start a career with a move to Los Angeles in the early 90s.

[08:10] Mike’s decision to start working with photographers to build his portfolio and clientele.

[10:30] How Mike hustled and grew his client base.

[12:24] What made Mike leave Los Angeles to start again fresh in New York.

[15:15] Balancing the pursuit of editorial photography in New York with independent work in salons.

[17:47] Traveling between two places to support a career is becoming a thing today, but Mike was doing it years before the age of social media.

[20:25] The practicalities of religiously travelling and living between two places, according to Mike.

[22:38] The key to expanding work to six salons in the United States.

[24:59] Scheduling appointments and proactive communications helped ensure clients knew when Mike was in town.

[26:30] Mike describes what ignited his passion for platform work.

[28:36] Advantages of dry haircutting, in Mike’s opinion.

[30:20] What it takes to create a new line of scissors.

[33:10] A brief history of the longevity of shears.

[35:05] The innovative changes that Mike implemented in his shears to make them stand out from everything else on the market.

[38:10] What are the biggest parts of Mike’s business?

[39:15] The launch of PERFECT styling products.

[41:46] Advice from Mike for anyone with ideas about inventing their own salon tools, methods, or products.

[44:30] It’s not about coming in with a bang.  It’s about coming in with something that’s really good that you really use and makes your life easier.

[47:11] Mike explains why he never opened his own salon.

[49:26] Mike and Antony discuss the wrong reasons to open a salon.

[51:15] How COVID-19 has impacted Mike’s businesses, and what Mike sees as the future of education post-COVID.

[53:22] Digital education is valuable, but Mike believes it will never replace in-person education.

[55:00] Mike shares his thoughts on the changing business models we see in the industry today.

[57:55] Mike reveals what he believes is his biggest strength and what he wishes he could do better.

[1:00:10] How can people connect with Mike?

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 Mike for sharing his insights with me for this week’s episode. Until next time!

Antony

Links and Resources:

Grow My Salon Business

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Mike Karg

Website | Facebook | Instagram