In this episode, we get to know Kati Whitledge (@katiwhitledge), entrepreneur, salon owner, professional speaker, author and fellow podcaster. She shares her journey of how, as a "thirsty" hairdresser, she was fascinated with business development and why people choose brands or, more importantly, connect with certain types of people. She developed a survey that matches potential clients with hairdressers at her Madison, Wisconsin salon, Be Inspired (@be_inspired_salon). This not only helped her ...
Aug 20, 2023•52 min
In this episode, Maggie Hancock, @maggiemh, @schwarzkopfusa artist reveals how determination, grit and humility helped her achieve her goals. She shares how she not only took on multiple jobs to make her dream of opening a salon a reality, but also volunteered her time and talent on photo shoots, which led her to her current role at Schwarzkopf Professional overseeing creative direction on photo shoots. We also discuss the value of showing up and assisting; the nuances of hustle culture; and how...
Aug 06, 2023•38 min
To celebrate our 300 th podcast episode, Hairbrained cofounders Gerard Scarpaci and Randy Taylor reflect on Hb’s past, present and future—and the immense gratitude they feel to each of you who have been part of the journey. They reminisce about the early days, when over pizza and beer they realized the massive opportunities that social media created for the industry, and how these thoughts became actions with the first app created for hairdressers and led to the Hairbrained community. They discu...
Jul 23, 2023•47 min
Aristotle once said, "The more you know, the more you realize you don't know." Ben Brown (@benbrownhair) had this epiphany when a student asked him why he was doing a technique in a certain way, and he realized he didn't actually know. So the left-handed hairdresser made it his mission to master his craft by becoming the ultimate student. He began filming his work to learn from his mistakes, and later decided to post them to his Instagram page, which now boasts more than 300k followers. In this ...
Jul 16, 2023•51 min
With more than two decades in the pro beauty space, not to mention a master's degree in business, Stef Fox (@stef_fox) has had a long and varied career that allows her to simultaneously have an intimate as well as a bird's eye view of the industry. And for the past few years, the founder of Talent Match (@salonrecruiting) has conducted an annual survey, which, with more than 22,000 responses, is not only the largest that we know of, but also delivers valuable data and insights about employment a...
Jul 09, 2023•43 min
On the eve of @paulmitchellpro's latest release, the nine-SKU semi-permanent hair color line Colorways, we're joined by Artistic Director for Color @colincaruso and Colorways Brand Ambassador @fernthebarber. Creative color is experiencing a renaissance, and not just in the salon—as a barber, Fern shares how he's seen an uptick in client requests as well. Colin and Fern discuss the line's versatility and creativity and how, just like sneaker brands drop special editions, so too will Colorways rel...
Jul 02, 2023•46 min
Now celebrating the 10th anniversary of his seminal book, “Hair: Fashion and Fantasy,” Laurent Philippon is, in his own words, “a hair-thinking war machine.” The world-renowned session stylist never stops dreaming about hair, and his passion for the art and craft of hairdressing is unparalleled. Laurent’s background and training with both Alexandre de Paris and Julien d’Ys has made his work a truly unique blend of timeless French technique and intuitive organic vision. As such, his work has been...
Jun 24, 2023•48 min
Lupe Voss is known within the #crafthairdresser community as a top-notch educator and colorist. For a lot of her career, she tailored her education around a color line. But with Color Space, she decided it was time to tailor the color around education and color theory. In this episode, she explains what led her to create Color Space, how deeply she embeds with a salon when they decide to take on a color line, and the robust ongoing education that Color Space salons experience....
Jun 18, 2023•45 min
Hair extensions have come a long way in recent years, and so have expectations surrounding them. These days, knowing proper application techniques, how to color match and blend perfectly, and, quite frankly, the art behind extensions is the norm. We chat with Wade Zylstra (@wadecody), owner of Lux Salon in Fullerton, CA, and Kasandra Grzanka (@kgrzanka), VoMor Hair Extension educator, on everything extensions. From understanding the different types of extensions, how long and what type of traini...
Jun 10, 2023•45 min
One of the most emotionally charged aspects of hairdressing is pricing. Look at almost any hair transformation video on @hairbrained_official, and there's usually a "How much would you charge for this?" question. Fear of losing clients, vague "charge your worth" advice and lack of pricing transparency all play a role. On top of that, hairdressers often emotionally discount, may not have consistent pricing or flat out don't know how to price their services. In this episode, Miki Wright (@mikiwrig...
Jun 06, 2023•56 min
For years, the idea that “women of a certain age” would willingly embrace their grays was, let’s face it, laughable. But when celebrity colorist Jack Martin (@jackmartincolorist) and his stunning gray transformations came onto the scene, perspectives shifted—not only on what it means to age, but also how important craft hairdressers are in helping their clients through graceful transformations. In this episode, we talk with Jack about his journey from everyday working stylist to international su...
May 27, 2023•48 min
One of the best aspects of being a pro in the hair industry is the friendships you make along the way. In fact, this idea of community and shared experiences is at the heart of what Hairbrained is all about. And one of the first Hb community members, DJ Muldoon (@danieljosephmuldoon)—a craft hairdresser, global educator and founder of @knowledgedestroysfear—has been a friend of Hb co-founder Gerard Scarpaci since the beginnings of their careers. In this unplugged conversation, they reminisce abo...
May 21, 2023•55 min
Chrystal L. has devoted her career to helping all hairdressers reach their full potential and realize their dreams. In 2019, she launched @allhairacademy, a pro gram for stylists who want to attract a diverse clientele and be confident working with any hair texture. In this episode, she shares tons of actionable tips to help you grow your business and profitability. Chrystal shares advice ranging from email marketin g, when and how to raise prices, hiring staff, and much more. You will also find...
May 07, 2023•48 min
What do you do when you hate doing wedding hair? You double down, of course! That is, you do if you're Candace Mansour (@candacemansour), a bridal hair specialist and educator based in the Northeast. Like many, she was intimidated by seemingly complicated updos, and in her own words, "hated bridal hair." But learning and, more importantly, teaching helped Candace build an award-winning, on-location wedding team. Today, Candy Rose Events includes 12 pros who service an average of four weddings ev...
Apr 30, 2023•58 min
Join Gerard as he sits down with Tom Connell (@tommconnell), Hair Art Director for @davinesofficial, for this special episode filmed at the Davines House in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. We go deep into Tom's creative process and his unique way of manifesting original ideas across the spectrum of beauty. Also, Tom offers a sneak peek into what he has planned for Davines Hair On Tour, a multi-city collection inspired by each locale.
Apr 23, 2023•45 min
With more than two decades of pro beauty experience, Dominique LyVar (@kingdomofcurls_) has had a transformative career: He’s worked as a stylist in corporate salons, taught at the Aveda Institute in NY, and even works as a freelance editorial artist. Today he is a ReZo Master Designer and Master Global Educator whose social media following is steadily growing thanks to his celebration of curls. While he believes that doing great work will get you wherever you want to go in this industry, being ...
Apr 16, 2023•50 min
Traci Sakosits (@tracisak_hair) has devoted her career to uplifting and educating future hairdressers. After spending the last decade coaching students as the North American Creative Director at Sassoon Academy, she is now the VP of Education and Creative for Aveda Arts + Sciences Institutes. We dive deep into a discussion on the current state of education and what makes a great educator. Traci also shares her ongoing mission to not only enhance cosmetology education through innovative curriculu...
Apr 02, 2023•49 min
Many brands have been known to pivot during their lifetime, but none quite like Olivia Garden (@oliviagarden_int). Established in 1967 by Jean and Micheline Rennette in Belgium, the company began life as a high-quality synthetic wig manufacturer. But as tastes changed, Olivia Garden transitioned to distributor, to education company and finally, as we know them today, a global tool manufacturer. Anne Maza, daughter of Jean and Micheline, shares how she and her brother Pierre as co-owners have con...
Mar 26, 2023•57 min
With the brand-new Premiere Anaheim trade show just around the corner, Ed McNeill, SVP of Premiere Show Group, shares his insights into @premierebeautyshows' evolution and the continued importance of trade shows in today’s digital age. In this episode, you’ll learn how Premiere grew from humble beginnings into one of the most respected and must-attend events of the professional hair industry. In a world where online purchasing continues to rise, Ed delves deep into the ongoing relevance of trade...
Mar 19, 2023•46 min
One of the industry's best educators—not to mention a polished facilitator and presenter—Sonna Brado (@sonnabrado) reinvented her career during the pandemic by creating educational videos that offer value both to hairstylists and clients alike. As a result, Sonna's social media following grew exponentially, which has allowed her to successfully launch a tool brand and online education service. In this episode, she offers insights into her content creation process, and discusses how innate talent...
Mar 12, 2023•58 min
It has long been reported by government and private statistics reports that many, if not most, hairdressers earn less than the poverty level. But because of inconsistencies and confusion in reporting, Tom and Erin Kuhn believed these figures weren’t truly representative of hairdressers’ salaries, and could be dissuading people from following their passion. In this episode, the Kuhns explain their methodologies and share the their discoveries to paint a much different (and rosier) earning picture...
Mar 05, 2023•1 hr 7 min
A non-conformist filled with ambition since her teens when she found her passion and talent for hair, Janine Jarman has continually strived to do things her way. Janine frankly discusses how being persistent and following her gut has led her on her journey from salon owner to brand ambassador to being awarded “Fan Favorite” on Bravo’s Shear Genius in 2010. And when everyone thought she was crazy to launch a perm brand, she refused to listen to the naysayers and launched Curl Cult to wide success...
Feb 25, 2023•58 min
Not many can claim they went from driving a forklift at Home Depot to becoming one of the industry’s most recognizable educators. But this unique origin story befits Fern Andong, better known as @fernthebarber, and his unique approach to hair and education. In this episode, Fern reveals not only his humble beginnings, but also the benefits and challenges of being dual licensed and educating in barbering and cosmetology, as well as what it’s like to constantly develop new skills to keep up with t...
Feb 19, 2023•41 min
Over the past several years, Jayne Matthews (@jayne_edosalon) has blazed a trail across our industry using social media to share her "carving petals" approach to razor cutting. But her success has been hard earned; she had to overcome many challenges to find her authentic voice and approach to the craft, commerce and culture of hairdressing. Jayne is a vocal advocate for non-toxic salon environments and has a unique perspective on teaching clients how to cut their own hair. During the pandemic, ...
Feb 12, 2023•1 hr 6 min
One wouldn’t think that being an introvert would actually help a hairdresser become a celebrity stylist. But that’s just what happened to Ryan Richman (@ryanrichman), who was recently named an @aveda ambassador. Ryan’s incredible roster of star clients reads like a Young Hollywood It List: Sarah Hyland, Sadie Sink, Kate Mara, Sophie Turner, Maisie Williams and more. In this episode, you’ll learn how he broke into this area of our industry, how he developed the necessary skills and how being natu...
Feb 05, 2023•57 min
Meet the "fantastic four" founders of @igkhair: @franckhair, @chasehair, @aarongreniahair and @leohairofficial. Together they have built a salon brand and product line that is redefining the next generation of pro beauty. With salon locations in NYC and Miami, they keep their finger on the pulse of creativity and funnel all they learn into an innovative range of products. Learn how they manage a complex partnership, deal with everyday challenges and communicate as a group working to achieve a si...
Jan 29, 2023•56 min
Humor with a down-to-earth attitude and top-notch hairdressing and educating skills—that’s what @jacobhkhan is known for. In this episode, we dive deep with the @goldwellus Ambassador and his frequent co-creator and fellow craft hairdresser, Ben White. (Spoiler: Jacob makes a big announcement about the state of their friendship.) The pair talk about their backgrounds as well as the influences that shaped their approach to the craft, social media and comedy. And of course there's loads of funny s...
Jan 22, 2023•1 hr 1 min
You know when two of the industry's sharpest minds come together, it's going to be a good podcast! Robert Cromeans (@robertcromeans), Global Artistic and Business Director for @paulmitchell, and Antony Whitaker, founder of @growmysalonbuisness, volley back and forth about marketing yourself as a hairdresser; whether the frequency of appointments will ever come back (and if there is anything we can do about it); whether the established salon business model works any longer; and much, much more in...
Jan 15, 2023•1 hr 21 min
Episode #274: Greg and Joanne Starkman, Innersense Organic Beauty Founders Seasoned beauty pros and founders of @innersenseorganicbeauty Greg and Joanne Starkman share their deeply intertwined personal and brand story. After the birth of their special needs child, Morgan, the Starkmans realized how important it is to be aware of the chemicals we use every day as hairdressers. They set out on a mission to create a pro line of haircare products that would be non-toxic, clean and organic-based. Gre...
Jan 08, 2023•1 hr 22 min
We're kicking off 2023 with a very special guest: longtime Hairbrained friend, Reuben Carranza. One of the most successful and prolific C-suite leaders in pro beauty, Reuben is currently CEO for Amika and Eva NYC. In this episode, he shares the many lessons learned growing up with a hairdresser mom, as well as practical advice that hairdressers need to consider for the year ahead. On a personal note, co-founder and host Gerard Scarpaci gets a chance to thank Reuben for his early support of Hb, w...
Jan 01, 2023•49 min
