Today’s guest is an absolute firecracker in the salon industry and you’ll feel it the moment she starts speaking. Her systems, strategies, and no-nonsense approach have helped salon owners hit seven-figure success and service providers reach six-figure incomes— without burning out. She has empowered thousands of professionals to break through their limits, boost their profits, and build thriving businesses. She is a dynamic speaker, master transformation coach, and true industry disruptor, and a...
Aug 07, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 125
This is the second time we’ve had the pleasure of welcoming this incredible guest to Headcases , and for good reason. We started with a powerful conversation about the role of questioning in the salon, as owners, as educators, and as leaders, and it became something much deeper. His perspective as a corporate executive coach carries so much insight I knew I had to bring him back and share even more of that wisdom with you. Jay Williams is an executive coach who’s worked with Fortune 500 companie...
Jul 24, 2025•1 hr 27 min•Season 3Ep. 124
Welcome back to Headcases ! Part 1 of our conversation with Celene Dupuis was incredible - she came in strong, busting industry myths and dropping leadership wisdom that every salon pro needs to hear. In Part 2, we’re picking up right where we left off. Celene continues to challenge the status quo, offering real talk, practical strategies, and powerful insights to help you grow as a leader and build a sustainable, high-performing business. It's time to rethink the way our industry works - Let’s ...
Jul 10, 2025•52 min•Season 3Ep. 123
Hi, and welcome once again to Headcases. For a long time now I've wanted someone on the show who could bust some of the biggest myths that still haunt our industry—and today we have the perfect guest. She is an award-winning entrepreneur and leadership coach known for helping individuals and organizations unlock their full potential. While mentoring leaders, entrepreneurs, and teams across the beauty world, she also built a high-performing, sustainable business as CEO of Revamp Salon Company. Sh...
Jun 26, 2025•50 min•Season 3Ep. 122
My friends, welcome to another episode of Headcases — and this one’s a good one. My guest is a true powerhouse in the beauty industry. You probably already know her as a celebrity stylist, with a client list including Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Jennifer Hudson, Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian, and Serena Williams. She made history as the first African American beauty professional spokesperson for Pantene and as Aveda’s first Global Artistic Director for Textured Hair. Today, she’s the Global Artistic Direc...
Jun 12, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 121
Today’s guest is making a real impact in our industry. She’s the Executive Director of the Professional Beauty Association (PBA), bringing her unique blend of experience as a licensed aesthetician, makeup artist, and business owner. Before stepping into her role at PBA, she ran a successful cosmetics and skincare business in Michigan, and spent 15 years in corporate communications and community relations in the health and wellness space, including with the YMCA. She holds a bachelor’s degree in ...
May 29, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 120
She co-founded the highly successful Julian August Salon in California, where she spent 32 years perfecting her craft behind the chair. Her passion for teaching—combined with her unmatched technical skill—made her one of the most sought-after colorists and educators in North America. While working full-time in the salon, she also founded Hair Color Magic, an education program that helped colorists around the world thrive. Most recently, she co-founded both CCB Collective Color Brands and Color S...
May 15, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Season 3Ep. 119
If anyone deserves the title of GOAT in hair color, it’s today’s guest. Fresh out of university and beauty school, she was appointed Director of Education at Clairol. She later consulted for brands like Redken and Joico to help develop major professional color lines. She has traveled the globe, training thousands of colorists. She co-owned the famous Minardi Salon in New York. A true celebrity stylist, she has worked with stars like Mandy Moore, Sarah Jessica Parker, Julianne Moore, and Brad Pit...
May 01, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Season 3Ep. 118
This week on Headcases we are joined by a true force in the beauty industry. He’s built a remarkable career as a celebrity hairstylist, a master colorist, a brand ambassador, and a business executive. He’s taken his expertise worldwide, teaching sold-out classes around the world. Specializing in balayage, blonding, and advanced color techniques, he has not only perfected his craft but also mastered the social media game, amassing an impressive 3 million followers. Today, we’ll dive into his jour...
Apr 17, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Season 3Ep. 117
Today’s guest on HeadCases is a third-generation hairdresser, a salon owner, and internationally recognized artist with over 40 years behind the chair. In that time, he’s traveled more than 3 million miles , sharing his knowledge and passion. He is a visionary philanthropist committed to protecting the health of clients and hairdressers both. He made it his mission in creating his own brand, Surface, promoting personal health, respect for the Earth, and helping others to grow. Let’s get into thi...
Apr 03, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 3Ep. 116
his week I'm chatting with someone I admire very much as a no-nonsense truth teller who leads with love. She is a published author. She is a world-renowned keynote speaker. She owns three schools and three salons where her mission is not to hire employees but to develop future partners. This mindset makes her a key part of the John Maxwell Team, one of the world's top leadership training organizations. She led nationwide values-based leadership initiatives for 25,000 leaders with Maxwell at the ...
Mar 20, 2025•48 min•Season 3Ep. 115
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Check out more episodes and the videos at https://chrisbaran.com/podcast ⭐️ Join our FREE Facebook community for Salon Team Trainers today. https://facebook.com/groups/salonteamtraining ✅ Exclusive content on how to implement and scale your salon training the easy way ✅ Save time and learn what works from people just like you ✅ Get back to your mission of building the salon business and creating more jobs Learn more here - https://bit.ly/trainersplaybook Join our FB group - https://facebo...
Mar 09, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Season 3Ep. 114
"What would you do if a person with autism sat in your chair for a haircut? What if the sounds of the salon triggered an episode—causing them to holler, scream, or bounce? Or if they were terrified of clippers? Would you know how to help? That’s exactly why I’m so excited about today’s guest. Welcome to another episode of Head Cases ! Our guest is not only a visionary but also the founder and CEO of Sensory Safe Solutions . With 24 years in the salon industry, she brings not just professional ex...
Feb 27, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Season 3Ep. 113
This week I’m speaking with a Harvard and Wharton Business School grad and founder of Busy Salons. He is president of Salon Ninja, and the creator of A-Game Mastery Coaching. He is a Hi-Performance coach and has worked with many high profile salon artists. It’s my honour today to chat with Andrew Finkelstein. Andrew shares how he got started in the beauty industry after graduating from Harvard business school How business school was helpful to a point, but he realized that many people have to st...
Feb 20, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 3Ep. 112
This week I'm with a great friend who is a 13-time NAHA finalist and winner. His work has appeared in almost every industry magazine in the world. He’s been on Oprah, CNN, and Good Morning America. He has styled for movies, music videos, and fashion runways. Here is Mr Nicholas French! • One of the best pieces of advice that Nicholas got from his father when he was only 10 years old: “Keep your eyes open 24 hrs a day because you never know what you are going to see”. You have to always be on the...
Feb 06, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Season 3Ep. 111
Today I sit down with the Midwest Hairstyling Awards Hairstylist of the Year, NAHA Educator of the Year and Director of the Hair Labs Detroit Barber School, Mr Rodrick Samuels. Rodrick shares some great nuggets of wisdom this week including his top 3 list for students - you have to show up, you have to work hard and you have to listen. He shares how education has changed so much from when he was in school, how teaching is 1000% different now. Hear about the importance of failure and how this has...
Jan 30, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Season 3Ep. 110
Today’s guest is not just a dear friend but a certified visionary who has left an indelible mark on the beauty industry. He’s an award-winning colorist and stylist, a former Global Artistic Director for Matrix, and a creative force whose work has graced international magazine covers, advertising campaigns, and stages worldwide. But that’s not all—he’s also an internationally acclaimed photographer, capturing breathtaking moments with his own creations and those of other exceptional artists. His ...
Jan 23, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 3Ep. 109
This week’s guest is Nieves Almaraz, winner of NAHA Men’s Hairstylist of the Year 2021. With a barbering license and a cosmetology license, Nieves owns a barbershop and a barber school and thrives on inspiration. Opened his first barbershop at 23 years old and was immediately swamped with bookings Started attending hair shows and was overwhelmed with inspiration Became a volunteer at hair shows so he could walk the show floor and meet his inspirations. People would stop him on the floor to take ...
Jan 16, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Season 3Ep. 108
Today's guest is especially exciting for me - not just because he’s an incredibly talented hairdresser, but because his passions extend far beyond hair to art, music, and fashion. Based in the UK, his creativity and vision have landed his work in TV and top industry magazines. Recently, Creative Head Magazine honored him with the Business Thinker Award for building an outstanding multi-faceted brand. They even called him a ‘genius and an inspiration,’ and once you hear about his journey, you’ll ...
Jan 09, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Season 3Ep. 107
I’m excited to chat with my next guest, a Lifetime Achievement winner and a Hall of Heroes award winner, Ginger Boyle. • Ginger shares how she lived off the grid for a year waiting for her cosmetology license • She took a chance and moved across the country to work for Horst • How sometimes on the road for hair shows, they would have to get their “models” in the mall or bar • Hear how Ginger took having an affirmation to help her through a rough patch, to a daily online affirmation for thousands...
Jan 02, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Season 2Ep. 106
This week’s guest has inspired an entire generation of hairdressers. Benni Tognini is an Australian icon, considered the father of avant garde hairdressing Benni and his team have won a string of international accolades, including World Master of the Craft. He’s the man behind the powerhouse Togninis brand. I am so lucky to have Benni as a very good friend, and it was a pleasure to sit down and chat with him about how he got started. -Benni's realization that sports and hairdressing are similar,...
Dec 26, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Season 2Ep. 105
My guest is an Aveda Global Master and NAHA Master with an impressive list of accolades, including Hairdresser of the Year, Avant-Garde Stylist of the Year, Salon Team of the Year, and twice Makeover Stylist of the Year. He’s been named one of the top 20 salon owners in the U.S. and one of the top 75 educators of the century . He’s earned Lifetime Achievement Awards from Aveda and the Art and Fashion Group and is an Aveda World Master Award winner. With nine Atlanta-area salons, 250+ service pro...
Dec 19, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Season 2Ep. 104
As a leading beauty innovator for more than 20 years, Nick Stenson has dedicated his career to creating and advocating for exceptional, inclusive beauty experiences, services and products. With multiple nominations and wins in the prestigious North American Hairstyling Awards and a beauty brand of their own, this week’s Headcases is a true hair hero! In this week’s episode we learn more about Nick’s journey into the industry and how he invests in himself. Nick talks about his background growing ...
Dec 05, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 103
Welcome to Headcases. Today’s guest is one of the most recognizable faces in the salon industry. He is a celebrated platform artist and educator, known for mixing fun, irreverence, and incredible skill in his teaching. His work has been published worldwide, and he has collaborated with top brands like Aveda, Revlon Professional, TIGI, Rusk, and Scruples. A two-time NAHA Hairstylist of the Year and the first-ever NAHA People’s Choice Award winner, he boasts an astounding 27 NAHA nominations. He’s...
Nov 28, 2024•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 102
From horse training to hair styling, Ammon Carver joins us to talk about learning to love yourself and your craft, plus his transition from teaching behind the chair to mentoring on stage and to becoming a father. Ammon Carver has gained recognition in the hair and beauty industry for his refined aesthetic, his continued passion, and his portfolio of flawless looks. With 7 nominations and awards for Master Hairstylist of the Year and Salon Team of the Year in 2015 by the prestigious North Americ...
Nov 21, 2024•1 hr 25 min•Season 2Ep. 101
We celebrate our ONE HUNDREDTH EPISODE with one of my true hair heroes. He’s a brilliant hairdresser, editorial stylist, photographer, and industry icon. The former Creative Director of Sebastian Professional Hair Products has worn many hats: hairdresser, salon owner, product creator, painter, and visionary artist. His work has graced the pages of nearly every major beauty magazine both nationally and internationally. I'm delighted to celebrate this Headcases milestone with the legendary Robert ...
Nov 14, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Season 2Ep. 100
My guest is a true industry icon. He is the former president of L'Oréal Professional Products Division, overseeing the growth of major brands like Redken, L'Oréal Professionnel, Matrix, and Shu Uemura. He’s part of the ownership group behind Tippy, the digital tipping system, and he has earned the prestigious Legend Award from the International Salon Spa Business Network — a testament to his commitment in supporting people throughout the industry. He is also co-owner of Artist On Go, a groundbre...
Nov 07, 2024•51 min•Season 2Ep. 99
Today we’re joined by a true marketing powerhouse in the beauty and wellness industry. She’s a keynote speaker, a podcaster, and the founder & CEO of Maya, which is a cutting-edge client recruitment and marketing platform that has already matched over half a million clients with beauty professionals, driving an incredible $20 million in revenue. Her ambitious mission is to generate $500 million for her members by the end of 2025 and I have a feeling she just might do it. She’s here to revolu...
Oct 31, 2024•35 min•Season 2Ep. 98
This week on Headcases I'm thrilled to welcome a true powerhouse of the beauty industry. With more than 30 years of experience as a master stylist, a brand educator, a business owner, and a leadership development coach, she has inspired thousands to believe in themselves and transform their careers. She is a certified Little Voice Mastery Facilitator and a Blair Singer Certified Educator known for her ability to elevate and empower those around her. Listen in as she shares her insights on rebuil...
Oct 24, 2024•35 min•Season 2Ep. 97
Welcome to another episode of Headcases. My guest got his start at Vidal Sassoon, where he quickly rose through the ranks of the organization to General Manager. To top that he went on to run no fewer than 320 salons in the UK. He launched AVD Cosmetics and grew it to $40 million in sales. He founded Eurisko Design, focused on crafting spaces to meet consumers' emotional as well as functional needs. With a doctorate in behavioural psychology, he has given TED Talks and been featured as a speaker...
Oct 17, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 97
