Education

Episode 210

19 September 2023

Online education has grown exponentially over the last few years, and online education in the hairdressing space is no exception.

This is one episode in a series of podcasts that will focus on the various forms of online education in the world of hairdressing.

My guest on today's podcast is Dublin-based Paul Davey, a hairdresser, salon owner, and the founder of Hairdressing Live, one of the first online education platforms to make a real impact in the space.

In today’s podcast, we will discuss:

What exactly Hairdressing Live is
What makes it different from other online platforms
What Paul sees as the future of education…

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[02:42] An overview of Paul’s 27-year career in the hairdressing industry.

[09:03] The value of hard work.

[19:03] The origin story of Hairdressing Live.

[23:35] How Hairdressing Live works and the ways it has evolved since its founding.

[26:19] Hairdressing Live’s model of access.

[28:21] The motivation behind the creation of Elements Education.

[31:46] Why understanding the fundamentals of hairdressing will boost your confidence behind the chair.

[36:48] Where the core Hairdressing Live audience is situated.

[38:18] The invaluable role that Paul’s wife plays in Hairdressing Live.

[40:33] Paul’s opinion on the future of the online education space.

[42:48] The numerous advantages of online education.

[46:07] Why Paul sees his high degree of ambition as his biggest strength.

[48:03] How Paul ensures he stays relevant in the hairdressing industry.

[49:43] The most important lessons that Paul has learned during his life and his approach to overcoming adversity.

[51:33] Why listening is such an essential skill.

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 Paul 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 | TikTok

Paul Davey

LinkedIn | Instagram

Hairdressing Live

Website | Facebook | YouTube | Elements Education

Davey Davey

Website | Instagram | Facebook

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Episode 209

12 September 2023

Hairdressing is often seen as a young person’s industry; my guess would be that the average person working in the industry is probably in their late 20s.

Although on the one hand, that’s a negative thing because it’s reflective of the high turnover rates of staff who choose to move into other industries, it also means that those who stay in the industry are constantly being exposed to new ideas, new ways of thinking, and new ways of looking at the world.

The secret to a successful long-term career in the hairdressing industry is having the ambition, foresight, and courage to continually evolve and reinvent oneself and one’s business.

My guest on today’s podcast is a person who epitomises these characteristics: Sam Brocato from the New York-based salon bearing his name.

In today’s podcast, we will discuss:

The pros and cons of being in the salon industry today
How technology has impacted Sam’s ever-evolving business
The changes in salon business models and product distribution…

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[02:40] Sam shares an overview of his 54-year journey in the salon industry.

[05:24] What Sam sees as the biggest challenge of being a hairdresser.

[06:44] Why Sam is optimistic about the future of the salon industry.

[09:18] How Sam ensures that his business stays relevant in today’s ever-evolving world.

[14:21] Advice for creating a thriving salon culture.

[21:06] Goals of the US chapter of Intercoiffure and the factors that have resulted in the organisation’s success.

[30:44] Sam’s approach to continuously improving as a hairdresser and business owner.

[35:06] How Sam believes technological advancements will change the salon industry.

[38:44] The greatest barrier to entry in the hair product market.

[41:11] Examples of how to leverage the power of AI in the salon industry.

[48:28] Why Sam favours the commission-based salon business model above the rest.

[54:43] Sam’s top pieces of advice for building and sustaining a successful salon business.

[59:04] Why every salon owner should read Leadership Is an Art.

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.

Special thanks to Sam 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 | TikTok

Sam Brocato

Website | Instagram (Business) | Instagram (Personal) | Facebook | LinkedIn

Together Beauty

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | YouTube

Intercoiffure

Website

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Episode 208

5 September 2023

Across the world, financial management is typically the single biggest area that salon owners struggle with.

When asked financial questions about their business, in many cases, their answer is a mixture of “I get my accountant or bookkeeper to look after that stuff,” or, “I get my wife or husband or partner to manage all that.”

And that's where the problem starts. The game of business is primarily a numbers game, and you can’t play the game if you don’t understand what the numbers are telling you! If you own a business, it’s your responsibility to get control of the numbers so that you can run it effectively. It’s not the responsibility of your accountant, bookkeeper, or anyone else to do that for you.

This episode was inspired by a question that was asked in the Grow My Salon Business Money Course, and it demonstrates how the depth of a seemingly simple financial concept can only be discovered when you know the right questions to ask!

In this Episode:

[02:40] Why, as a salon owner, you need to understand the financial side of your business.

[03:32] The purpose of the Grow My Salon Business Money Course.

[04:14] The question that inspired today’s episode.

[05:40] Why you should run a daily sales report at the end of every business day.

[06:42] What you can learn from running a daily sales report.

[08:08] The different layers that lead to the results in a daily sales report.

[10:38] Why questions are comparable to Russian dolls.

[11:13] Confidence that comes with understanding the numbers side of your business.

[12:17] How to enroll for the Grow My Salon Business Money Course.

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.

Until next time!
Antony

Links and Resources:

Grow My Salon Business

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Episode 207

29 August 2023

I’ve often talked about the endless opportunities available within the hairdressing industry for those who are ambitious and prepared to do the work.

For some people, it’s all about building up an excellent clientele behind the chair. For others, it might lead to opening a salon of their own. Then there are those who pursue the education route, and occasionally, you come across someone who does it all!

My guest on today's podcast is San Diego-based hairdresser Travis Parker, who has experience working in multiple areas of the industry, from being a behind-the-chair stylist to a salon owner to an educator and online course creator. Throughout his journey, he has always embraced technology and the progression that it facilitates.

In today’s podcast, we will discuss:

Technical and creative online education
Haircutting now and in the future
The importance of using technology to teach and learn…

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[02:29] When Travis discovered his passion for hairdressing and how his journey has evolved since.

[05:07] Why Travis chose to open his own salon and the invaluable lessons that Travis learned from running it.

[10:15] Travis’ advice for anyone interested in opening a salon: Go for it!

[14:01] How Travis ended up in the world of education despite how much he once feared it.

[17:50] The hugely influential role James Morrison played in Travis’ life.

[19:50] Characteristics that define a great leader in Travis’ eyes.

[26:34] Travis’ approach to determining suitability.

[32:19] Why Travis uses mannequins rather than models for his educational demonstrations.

[35:02] An overview of how hairstyles have evolved over time and the predictability of the current aesthetic.

[37:45] The shifts that have occurred in the hair education space over the past 20 years.

[44:01] How the Travis Parker Academy is structured.

[45:43] Factors that make Travis’ approach to hair education stand out in a highly competitive market.

[46:08] How technological advancements have improved hair education.

[49:06] Ways that Travis uses AI tools to enhance his business and his thoughts on the impact that AI technology is going to have on the hairdressing industry in the future.

[55:44] Travis’ biggest strength, his life philosophy, and sound advice for anyone starting out in the hairdressing 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.

Special thanks to Travis 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 | TikTok | Money Course

Travis Parker

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Episode 204

8 August 2023

“The emotional response is what makes hairdressing so joyful.”

Artificial intelligence is changing the world we live in right in front of our eyes. The impact of it can’t be overestimated, and whether you like it or not, you can’t put the genie back in the bottle.

So we need to learn about it, understand it, and, more importantly, figure out how to use it to improve our lives and our businesses. Just as importantly, we need to hold onto and celebrate the human touch, soulful connections, and creativity that set us apart from AI. Because, after all, we are in the people business!

In today's episode, Vivienne Mackinder and I discuss the impacts that AI is having on the hairdressing industry and why inherently human characteristics are irreplaceable!

In this Episode:

[03:24] The benefits and the limitations of AI in the hairdressing industry.

[07:18] A real-world example of how not to do a consultation.

[11:18] Hair nuances that AI tools are unable to tap into.

[17:28] Four different types of hairdressers.

[21:03] Why the human touch is the foundation of great hairdressing.

[26:43] What AI tools are unable to offer hairdressing clients.

[31:05] Vivienne’s approach to determining suitability.

[34:12] The “golden rule” of beauty.

[34:58] Positive impacts that AI technology is having on the hairdressing industry.

[37:08] Vivienne’s view on progress.

[39:27] Why hairdressers cannot be replaced by AI.

[42:30] More examples of how AI can be used to benefit your salon business.

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.

Special thanks to Vivienne for sharing her insights with me for this week’s episode. Until next time!

Antony

Links and Resources:

Grow My Salon Business

Vivienne Mackinder

Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | LinkedIn

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Episode 200

11 July 2023

The words' icon' and ‘legend' are totally overused in the hairdressing industry, and the problem that it creates is that when you really do meet someone regarded as a genuine icon or legend in the hairdressing industry, there are no superlatives left to aptly describe their status.

Having said that, today's guest would never call himself an ‘icon' or a ‘legend,' and it's that humility combined with decades at the top creatively that has earned him the respect of hairdressers everywhere.

My guest on today's podcast is Mr Trevor Sorbie MBE. Trevor started his career working in his father's barbershop in Paisley, Scotland. He went on to become one of the biggest names in the world of hairdressing, and along the way, won 4 British Hairdresser Of the Year Awards, was awarded a Doctorate from a Scottish University and was made a Member of the British Empire from her Majesty the Queen…

In today's podcast, we will discuss:

– The importance of nurturing creativity

– The art of being a great on-stage presenter

– The wisdom that comes with age…

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[03:57] The leadership style which has been a defining characteristic of Trevor’s career.

[10:59] Challenges that Trevor dealt with growing up in Paisley, Scotland.

[13:21] The origins of Trevor’s hairdressing career.

[18:51] Why Trevor chose to keep his skill set broad and diverse.

[21:08] What the early days of building the Trevor Sorbie brand were like.

[27:05] How Trevor’s product line came into being (and his feelings towards it).

[33:32] The factors that motivated Trevor to sell his salons four years ago.

[36:22] Trevor’s ultimate dream.

[38:37] How Trevor nurtured talent within his salons.

[45:36] The trait Trevor believes is essential for success in the salon industry.

[46:52] Trevor’s approach to teaching.

[49:11] A watershed moment in Trevor’s career.

[54:10] The routine that Trevor follows prior to every show.

[56:42] Trevor shares what inspired him to found My New Hair (and the mission of the organisation).

[58:02] Some of Trevor’s most memorable life experiences.

[1:10:49] The philosophies that Trevor lives by.

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.

Special thanks to Trevor 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 | TikTok

Trevor Sorbie

Website | Instagram | Facebook

My New Hair

Website

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Episode 187

11 April 2023

Any career path has a beginning, a middle and an end. For some people, that entire journey is a brief couple of years, and for almost everyone, there is a peak and then a gradual decline in passion, creativity and relevance.

But every so often, someone comes along whose career continues to evolve on an upward trajectory that spans a lifetime and influences many generations of hairdressers. Today's guest is long hair expert Sharon Blain, and she is one such person.

For almost 60 years, Sharon's career has thrived, but 2023 is the year of her ‘final world tour.' This year, for the last time, she will visit various cities across five continents to do what she does better than anyone: educate and inspire another generation of hairdressers in the art of dressing long hair!

So, if you haven't had the opportunity to attend one of Sharon's boot camps, now is probably your last chance. But whether you attend one or not, I hope you enjoy this very special episode I recorded eight years ago with a very special member of the hairdressing industry.

In this episode, we discuss:

The importance of continuous education.
The success that Sharon has achieved through her digital-focused marketing approach.
The value in setting goals for yourself and embracing change.

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[02:36] The origin story and evolution of Sharon’s (nearly) 60-year career in the hairdressing industry.
[13:35] One of Sharon’s greatest skills.
[16:31] The reason for the ‘lazy’ era of hairdressing.
[19:24] Why continuous education is the key to a long and fruitful hairdressing career.
[21:48] Sharon’s biggest learning experience as a hairdresser.
[24:42] Examples of the types of people who have attended Sharon’s boot camps.
[27:25] Sharon’s incredibly successful approach to marketing.
[30:53] Goals that Sharon sets for herself (and almost always achieves) each year.
[34:33] Sharon’s thoughts on the keys to successfully leading a team.
[37:44] Financial challenges that Sharon has dealt with during her career and the lessons she has learned as a result.
[40:34] The importance of embracing change.
[42:16] What success means to Sharon.
[47:05] Practice, practice, practice!
[48:36] Sharon’s biggest inspirations and frustrations in the hairdressing industry.
[51:57] Some of the most memorable changes that Sharon has witnessed throughout her career.
[54:28] Defining moments in Sharon’s career and what she hopes to be remembered for.

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

Antony

Links and Resources:

Grow My Salon Business

Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Sharon Blain

Website | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Filed Under

Episode 181

28 February 2023

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!

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

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Episode 172

20 December 2022

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

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Episode 159

20 September 2022

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.

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