Wellness

Episode 139

All the changes that have taken place over the past two years have forced many of us to rethink our work/life balance, and have brought issues around mental health and burnout into greater focus.

My guest today is Ashleigh Hodges, a young woman who has built up a well-deserved reputation in the UK hairdressing industry, not only for being very talented at doing hair but also for being an exceptionally nice person in the process.

In today’s podcast we discuss:

– The imbalance of representation of women in the industry 
– Mental health and dealing with burnout
– The secret to being successful…

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[03:03] The many professional hats that Ashleigh wears. 

[05:38] An explanation of what the Fellowship for British Hairdressing is, and what Ashleigh’s role as its chancellor entails. 

[09:24] How HAIRDOTCOM Art Team came into being, and what their offerings include.

[14:36] The process Ashleigh went through to make her life more sustainable. 

[19:54] Similarities and differences between the business models of the two salons she works at. 

[21:54] Why Ashleigh believes the salon suite model has become so popular.  

[27:18] Ashleigh shares her thoughts on the gender inequalities that are still prevalent in our society, and how they are shifting. 

[32:17] Challenges that Ashleigh has faced as a woman in the hairdressing industry, and the work that she is doing to eliminate these hurdles.  

[43:41] Burnout that Ashleigh experienced, and the mental health journey that this catalyzed for her. 

[46:04] The choice that each of us have to make everyday with regard to our mental health. 

[48:01] How Ashleigh has changed her life over the past few years. 

[50:03] Factors that contributed to the mental breakdown that Ashleigh experienced.

[53:37] Some of the biggest lessons that Ashleigh learned about herself since her breakdown. 

[56:05] Ashleigh’s relationship with social media. 

[1:00:45] Work hard and be nice; why Ashleigh sees these factors as the keys to success. 

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 Ashleigh 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

Ashleigh Hodges

LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

Fellowship for British Hairdressing

Website | Instagram

HAIRDOTCOM Art Team

Website | Instagram

Episode 138

My guests on today's Podcast are returning guests to the show: Filipe Santos and David Brodsky, who are New Jersey based Salon owners.  

In the previous conversation I had with them, we talked about their growing salon business and the success of their business model. If you didn’t catch that episode, it’s number 112, so you can go back and check it out.

During the episode, Filipe and David spoke about how they first met in recovery, and on the back of that comment, we decided it would be a great idea to devote an episode to talk about their journey with addiction. 

This episode is their story, it’s a very personal story full of laughs and honesty and a genuine love of life and of each other. Their journey is an inspiring example of what’s possible, and if it helps just one person, then we have achieved what we set out to.  

In this episode we discuss:

• Their journey into drugs as teenagers
• Defining moments on their journey
• The turning points where they knew they had to change …
• The importance of the narcotics anonymous support 

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[04:20] Growth that David and Filipe’s business has experienced since our previous conversation. 

[09:58] David explains why he and Filipe have chosen to tell their story of addiction on a public platform like this podcast.

[11:54] What drove David and Filipe to the world of drugs, and how their problem with addiction escalated over the years. 

[21:41] The disease of addiction; what this concept looks like in practice.  

[24:31] Prevalence of drugs in the service industry, and some reasons why this could be the case.  

[29:46] Circumstances under which Filipe’s son came into the world.    

[35:08] The lowest point in David’s life, and why he and Filipe now have a zero-tolerance policy for all addictive substances. 

[40:43] Why it is so important to have a support system and to stay away from temptations as a recovering drug addict.

[42:29] How Filipe felt during the few years before he got clean, and how that contrasts with how he feels now.

[51:53] David explains what the very difficult process of coming clean was like for him.

[58:26] Why Filipe agrees with the legalisation or decriminalisation of weed. 

[1:02:01] Discretion that David and Filipe exercise when it comes to hiring staff for their salons, and the support and resources that they provide to employees who are struggling with addiction.. 

[1:15:05] How the sharing of their story has had positive impacts on David and Filipe’s businesses.

[1:17:48] The near jail experience Filipe had after getting clean.

[1:24:17] Why David and Filipe wouldn’t change any part of their history.

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 David and Filipe for sharing their story with me for this week’s episode. Until next time!

Antony

Links and Resources:

Grow My Salon Business 

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Episode 112

Filipe Santos

Instagram

David Brodsky

Instagram | Website

Gang Gang EDU

Website

Episode 125

My guest on this episode is Susanne Post.

Susanne is a hairdresser, salon owner and co-founder of ‘Shear Haven,’ an organisation whose purpose is to educate stylists and beauty professionals about the signs of domestic violence.

Domestic violence is a pervasive issue across the world, and as a survivor of domestic violence herself, Susanne has made it her mission to ensure that people can access the help that they need if they find themselves in an abusive relationship. Domestic violence is often associated with shame, denial, and hopelessness, but by talking about it we can begin to destigmatize it, and that is exactly what we are going to do today.

In today’s podcast we discuss:

• What exactly is domestic violence and who does it affect?
• How do you recognise the signs of domestic violence?
• The impact that covid has had on domestic violence.
• The free training program that is now available to hairdressers globally to help them recognise the issues around domestic violence.

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[02:41] The stigma that surrounds domestic violence, and the importance of speaking openly about it.

[03:56] Staggering statistics which highlight the pervasiveness of domestic violence globally.

[07:38] How domestic violence is defined, and the different types of abuse that fall into this category.

[09:51] Susanne shares her personal experiences of domestic violence and escaping her abuser.

[14:12] The average number of times that a person will return to their abuser, and the various reasons that this is the case.

[17:50] Common stereotypes of abusers and the abused, and why these do not tell the full story.

[21:39] Why people who were abused often go on to become abusers themselves.

[23:48] Susanne explains why couples therapy can do more harm than good for the person who is being abused.

[27:46] How witnessing domestic violence impacts children.

[29:42] Why domestic abuse has become known as the “shadow pandemic.”

[31:41] Susanne shares the inspiration behind the founding of Shear Haven, and some of their achievements to date.

[38:31] Why Shear Haven focuses specifically on domestic abuse prevention training for beauty industry professionals, and examples of the resources that they provide.

[45:17] The value that lies in having open conversations about domestic violence.

[50:27] Advice for how to handle a situation where a colleague or client of yours is being abused.

[54:00] If you are in an abusive relationship (as the abuser or the abused), you are not alone, and there is a way to change your situation.

Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you found this episode helpful, 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 Susanne 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

Shear Haven

Website | Website

Susanne Post

LinkedIn | Instagram

Shine Salon

Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Barbicide

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

YWCA Nashville and Middle Tennessee

Website | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Episode 112

With the array of guests that we feature on the podcast, I frequently speak about the fact that there is a lot of movement happening in the ever-evolving salon business model.

I think that it’s important to remember, that it’s not a case of there being only ‘one way’ of running a business that is right, and everything else is wrong.

But instead, to recognise that there are probably some business models and ways of working that are more suitable to you than others.

And what might be right for you today may not always be right in the future. So it’s always good to have an open mind and understand how other salon owners are adapting the way they work and run their businesses.

Business models don’t constantly evolve for the sake of it. They change as a result of pressures on the existing way of doing things.

And if the existing way of doing things is no longer working, then you need to adapt what you are currently doing.

My guest today on the podcast are Filipe Santos and David Brodsky co-owners of a group of salons in New Jersey and they have a different take on how they run their business which they are going to share with us on this episode.

In this episode we discuss:

• The business model Filipe and David have
• The importance of flexibility in today's workplace…
• Team-leaders and Managers …
• The value in giving team leaders a percentage of profit and the opportunity to buy into the business…

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[03:13] Filipe and David share how they became involved in the salon industry, and why they decided to become business partners.

[05:50] How David and Filipe’s business has grown and diversified since they started working together.

[09:09] Where Filipe and David’s four salons are situated, and why they all have different names.

[12:28] The business model that David and Filipe use in their salons.

[15:39] An uncomfortable conversation that led to the explosive growth of Filipe and David’s business.

[18:32] How David and Filipe maintain a healthy partnership.

[21:28] Valuable lessons that Filipe and David learned through their journeys with addiction.

[29:10] Changes that David and Filipe implemented to streamline their business processes, and the positive outcomes they have seen as a result.

[41:10] The motivation behind David and Filipe’s decision to hire team leaders rather than managers.

[43:06] Benefits of the work schedule that Filipe and David have implemented in their salons.

[47:14] David and Filipe explain the different levels of stylists that exist in their salons, and the payment structure associated with each one.

[49:25] Commission earned by team leaders in Filipe and David’s salon.

[53:16] The approach that David and Filipe have taken when it comes to hiring staff.

[56:36] Target systems that Filipe and David have created for their stylists, and why these are so important.

[59:00] David and Filipe’s ultimate goal.

[1:03:02] The marketing and advertising approach that Filipe and David utilize, and the results it brings about.

[1:06:46] Fundamental roles that David and Filipe’s wives play in the business.

[1:07:46] How Filipe and David deal with consultations and cancellations.

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 David and Filipe 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

The Room Verona

Instagram | Website

Artists and Architects

Instagram | Website

The Artists Room Salon

Instagram | Website

Chop Maplewood

Instagram | Website

Gang Gang Edu

Instagram | Website

Episode 092

Episode 086

With the podcast, I consciously strive to have a diverse range of guests, because if I were you, I’d want the full gamut of what the industry at large has to offer.

Some guests are inspiring in their creativity, others are inspiring in their business acumen, others are inspiring in the technology that they bring to the industry and others are people who inspire me, and hopefully you, for their contribution they make through this industry to a higher purpose and ultimately to make the world a better place.

I think that today's guest comes under that category because he has selflessly taken on a cause that most of us don’t want to talk about, but it needs to be talked about.

Most people, at some point in their life, will say something like, ‘something needs to be done about it … or ‘someone needs to do something about it’… But today's guest has selflessly put his hand up to be that someone.

His name is Tom Chapman, and amongst other things, he is a hairdresser, barber, educator and founder of “The Lions Barber Collective” which is an international collection of barbers who have come together to help raise awareness for the prevention of suicide.

In today’s podcast we will discuss:

• The unique position that barbers are in when it comes to raising awareness about suicide and mental health. …We will talk about
• The Movie…titled ’The £1.7 million haircut’ …and
• How to ask someone if they are feeling okay, and what to do about it if they aren’t

And lots more! 

In This Episode:

[02:30] Welcome to the show, Tom!

[03:06] Tom shares his background and his interesting and exciting journey.

[05:56] What happened in your life that caused you to take up the task of raising awareness for the prevention of suicide?

[08:33] Tom speaks about being at a friend's funeral and seeing how many people loved him but didn't know he was contemplating his own life.

[09:47] Listen as Tom discusses how The Lion Barber Collective for suicide awareness got started.

[12:30 Antony speaks about the image that Tom invoked of the pain and anguish on the people's faces at the funeral.

[14:48] Tom shares the training they give barbers in how to recognize symptoms of mental health.

[17:11] Tom talks about asking the questions, How has your mental health been? Post pandemic versus pre-pandemic?

[19:14] How have you maintained the rage, sold your business, and made this your life's crusade?

[22:02] Tom says he has always believed this was the right path for him, and seeing the impact they've had on people is the reason he keeps doing it.

[25:44] Is the children's book you are writing about mental health?

[27:53] “Failure is an event, not a person.”

[28:27] A pivotal moment for him in his career was when he was asked to do barbering education.

[30:49] How did the movie come about, and why is it called' The £1.7 million haircut‘?

[32:04] Tom talks about the content of the film.

[36:03] Antony discusses what he learned from the movie and the impact Tom had on the audience when he was doing hair and talking about suicide.

[39:39] Tom shares the statistics that men are more likely to commit suicide and why.

[43:03] Tom discusses The Lion Barber Collective charity he created.

[45:54] Tom speaks about the training he developed around mental health.

[49:21] The idea is to bridge the gap in the communities they serve and the available resources.

[51:02] Does the way you look make it easier for people to talk to you about their mental health?

[54:33] Tom believes that getting recognition from celebrities gives them credibility and allows them to get more funds and grants.

[56:04] If you are a barber or hair professional, how do we get involved with your charity?

[57:50] Tom talks about his charity being funded by donations and who donates.

[59:19] Does the fact that you physically touch men while cutting their hair break down their walls and make it easier for them to talk to you?

[1:03:53] Tom discusses how people who are in the throes of mental health issues don't think about the impact their death will have on their family and friends.

[1:06:57] What should you say to a client in your chair that you feel might be thinking about suicide?

[1:08:57] Tom shares how many countries The Lion Barber Collective is in.

[1:09:47] 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 Tom for sharing his story with me for this week’s episode.

Until next time!

Links and Resources

Club House @antonywhitaker

Find Tom Chapman

The Lions Barber Collective

The £1.7 Million Haircut

Barber Talk podcast

Barber Talk Lite Training

TED talk

Barber Talk: Taking Pride in Men's Mental Health

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