Education

Episode 221

5 December 2023

The Sassoon brand will be celebrating its 70th birthday next year, and it is as relevant as ever before.

Like many businesses, the last couple of years forced the Sassoon leadership team to reevaluate the way forward because if a business is to stay relevant, it mustn't be afraid to reinvent.

The result is House of Sassoon, a concept that combines different salon models, hair education, ambassador programs, and more under one roof in arguably the coolest part of London.

On this week’s episode, I speak with Sassoon CEO Debbie Webster about the launch of House of Sassoon and how it has breathed new life into the business.

In today’s podcast, we discuss:

The relaunch of the brand as House of Sassoon
How the company has evolved over the past few years
Trends taking place in the hair education space…

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[03:03] An overview of the House of Sassoon launch.

[05:34] How Debbie chose the location for House of Sassoon.

[08:49] The motivation behind the consolidation of the Sassoon salons.

[11:14] Elements that make House of Sassoon such a visionary concept.

[19:25] Debbie’s thoughts on how to ensure your brand stays relevant in the long term.

[21:04] Plans for the future of the House of Sassoon.

[26:59] The complementary relationship between Drybar and Sassoon.

[31:35] Benefits of Sassoon’s online education platform.

[33:55] Trends that are taking place in the hair education industry.

[41:36] An overview of the different Sassoon retail categories.

[45:14] How Debbie sees the salon industry evolving in the coming decade.

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 Debbie 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 | TikTok | Episode 102

Debbie Webster

Instagram | LinkedIn

House of Sassoon

Drybar

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Episode 217

7 November 2023

The role of a hairdresser isn’t just to do great hair; it’s also to serve our clients in a way that makes them feel seen, heard, and valued. And that’s not just because it’s a good thing to do; it’s also because it’s good for your business!

Across industries, there has been a steady decline in customer service over the years. As a salon owner in the current climate, you have the opportunity to make your business really stand out by prioritising impeccable service!

On today's podcast, I talk about the value of going the extra mile.

In this Episode:

[01:09] The value of visiting different salons as a client when you are a salon owner yourself.

[02:43] Powerful quotes relating to serving others.

[04:02] Examples of how to serve your clients outside of doing great hair.

[05:30] The current decline in customer service being experienced across industries.

[06:30] Previous episodes cover the topic of service in the salon industry.

[07:17] The benefits of making outstanding service your priority as a salon owner.

[09:07] A recent experience I had that epitomises going above and beyond in your service offering.

[10:01] A story that highlights how good service is good for business.

[10:47] Where to access our online courses that will help you take your salon business to the next level!

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 216

31 October 2023

Daniel Di Iorio had been in business for 11 years when he decided to relocate his salon, Diior10. In two prior episodes (episode 179 and episode 194), Daniel and I discussed the process he was going through to transition from one salon location to another.

Well, you’ll be happy to know that after many trials and tribulations, he has finally made it into his new space. And, as you’ll hear today, it was well worth pushing through all the challenges!

In today’s podcast, the final in this series with Daniel, we discuss:

Some of the unexpected surprises that came with the relocation
What he loves about his new salon space
What he wishes he had done differently

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[03:15] How Daniel feels to have finally opened his dream salon.

[05:29] What Daniel and his team’s “retreat week” consisted of prior to the opening.

[08:48] Challenges of transitioning from one salon space to another.

[11:55] The fate of Daniel’s prior salon location.

[16:19] Why a large proportion of Daniel’s clients have followed him to his new salon.

[20:01] The impact of the relocation on Daniel’s team members.

[22:40] What Daniel has found most surprising about opening his new salon.

[26:21] The pros and cons of Diior10’s new location.

[29:05] Comparing Daniel’s experiences with his previous and current landlords.

[31:20] How Daniel’s new salon space compares to his old one.

[33:59] Benefits that the relocation has had for Daniel’s business.

[35:40] Diior10’s target demographic.

[40:42] Unexpected costs that Daniel incurred during the relocation process.

[42:48] What Daniel would go back and change about how he approached the relocation if he could.

[45:30] Lessons that Daniel learned about himself through the relocation process.

[47:47] The increase in revenue at Diior10 since the relocation.

[50:58] The growth potential of Diior10 in its new location.

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

Antony

Links and Resources:

Grow My Salon Business

Diiorio Hair

Website | Facebook | Instagram

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Episode 214

17 October 2023

You may have heard the expression, “Where the rubber meets the road.”

I think that it’s used as a metaphor to say, “This is the moment of truth!”

In today's short episode, I talk about the moment of truth in the salon as being the time of engagement between the stylist and the client because that's where everything comes together.

That’s where the training, the salon marketing, the decor, the client experience, and the price point all come together to produce a measurable result.

That result is both an immediate financial impact and the opportunity to have turned someone into a long-term loyal client who continuously adds value to the salon or into someone you never see again.

In this Episode:

[00:42] The expression that inspired today’s episode.

[01:01] Exploring the opposing ends of the quality spectrum of a salon business.

[02:48] The four elements required to create a 5-star client experience in your salon.

[05:43] Where salons commonly fall short in terms of client experience.

[06:24] Where the rubber meets the road in the salon industry.

[07:51] The journey to becoming a successful salon owner.

[09:53] One of the biggest problems that salon businesses struggle with.

[11:25] How to make impeccable service an integral part of your salon culture.

[13:14] Benefits of attending my online Super Stylist Course.

Until next time!
Antony

Links and Resources:

Grow My Salon Business

Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Super Stylist Course

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Episode 213

10 October 2023

Being a business owner is a great education because it forces you to learn a range of new skills, from people management to financial management and marketing.

All these elements will push you out of your comfort zone, and as a result, you will grow both professionally and personally. I’ve spent a lot of time talking about the former, but in today’s episode, we focus on the latter: the invaluable life skills and aspects of humanity that being a business owner exposes you to.

My guest today is Alex Ioannou, a former Londoner who, for the last 30-plus years, has been a native of Chicago. He’s a hairdresser, former salon owner, coach, educator, and one of the nicest and most genuine people you’ll ever meet.

Listen in today to hear about some of the most impactful life lessons Alex’s journey as a hairdresser has taught him!

In this Episode:

[02:40] A brief overview of Alex’s career journey.

[04:00] Don’t Be Late, Clean Your Brushes; Alex’s book of life lessons.

[07:09] The three key elements of running a successful salon.

[07:43] Why Alex was dubbed “the Mayor of Wabash.”

[10:07] The story that inspired the “Apple a Day” chapter in Alex’s book.

[12:00] Value in making time for casual conversations with your employees.

[17:06] Why being a “bolt tightener” is a compliment of the highest calibre.

[20:48] Alex’s thoughts on the best ways to deal with conflict.

[23:19] The story of Concha.

[27:23] One of the biggest challenges facing the hairdressing industry.

[28:50] An example of the impact of a person’s title.

[31:12] The importance of embracing continuous evolution in the salon industry.

[33:27] Problems with the unrealistic expectations that students commonly develop at beauty school.

[37:37] Alex shares the story of how he got shot and what he learned from the experience.

[47:45] How to stay relevant in the salon industry.

[50:14] The power of humility; Alex’s final words of advice for building a thriving career as a salon owner.

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 Alex 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

Alex Ioannou

Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube

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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.

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.

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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