Men's hairstylist and educator Dean Lauer @deanothebarber_ built a foundation of skills early by grinding hard.... owning a shop AND starting a barber school within the first few years of graduating hair school. He left it all behind to follow his dream to work in LA. He shares the whole story this week! This week's topics: • Trying to set up his future in baseball; gets injured • Going to a primarily African-American barber college • Opening a barber shop at 19; and then a barber school shortly...
Aug 30, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 208
We continue with Yene Damtew this week and focus on her 5 most important steps for scaling revenue as a hairstylist. We also discuss her advice for marketing your business in the current climate and her passion for creating a more inclusive industry. This Week's Topics: • The five most important steps to doubling your income in 12 months • Best ways to market your business right now • Her strive for a more inclusive industry • Her Hair Horror Story! Have you left a review for The Hair Game Podca...
Aug 23, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 207
Stylist and Mentor @yenedamtew shares her story of moving across the country for an assistant position she knew would be beneficial for her career. We also discuss the important financial strategies she has learned working independently and as a salon owner. This Week's Topics: • Going to cosmo school at 16 yrs old; leaving for college because of parents but going back • Moving across the country for an assistant position in DC for the Obamas • Her move to working independently & salon owner...
Aug 16, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 206
The most common complaint we hear about beauty schools is how they don't prepare stylists for real life in the salon. As the President/Owner of Salon Success Academy, operating 6 locations in Southern California, Robert Gross gives us the inside look at what it's like running a beauty school and the challenges that are constantly presented. He has long championed the need to raise the professionalism and image of the beauty industry in the state of California by co-founding, and participating as...
Aug 09, 2021•57 min•Ep. 205
Stylist Blake Evans @blakereedevans has leveled up consistently and now is co-owner of the salon he started at as an assistant. We discuss his path, as well as the topics he covers as a social media coach with Summit Salon Business Center. This Week's Topics: • Leaving marketing major and going to hair school • Assisting at a salon and working hard to provide for family • The unique ownership structure of his salon – how it operates • Incentivizing and helping employees retail • Tactics for adva...
Aug 02, 2021•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 204
We continue our conversation with Dawn Bradley @dawnbradleyhair this week and get in-depth with the strategies she has employed to combat her anxiety and achieve success. These have become the core of her education and coaching classes. This week's topics: • Review of her consultation process • Setting boundaries with clients • Pricing & the anxiety surround it • Finance and planning for your future • Her advice for young stylists • Her coaching and education classes for stylists Have you le...
Jul 26, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 203
Hairstylist, educator and business coach Dawn Bradley @dawnbradleyhair has struggled with anxiety and imposter syndrome throughout her career. In dealing with her anxiety and insecurities, she has developed effective teaching courses for hairdressing as well as business. We discuss how setting boundaries can improve your business (and happiness) behind the chair. This week's topics: • Getting her dream job at 24 and having anxiety & self-sabotage; quitting and moving back home • Avoiding unf...
Jul 19, 2021•56 min•Ep. 202
Britt Seva joins us again this week to cover the 5 most important aspects that struggling hairdressers need to address. She also gives us ways to make a human connection between visits. This Week's Topics: • How to stop being a chronic learner & start taking action • How the pandemic changed what clients want from us • Ways to make a human connection between visits Britt’s top 5 most important topics for the struggling hairdresser • target market and branding • effective consultations • marg...
Jul 12, 2021•54 min•Ep. 201
We celebrate our 200th episode with one of the best in the business! Britt Seva began helping stylists thrive after she realized her marketing game was stronger than her hair game. She joins us to discuss what important experience she gained as the director of a salon and how she developed Thrivers Society. This Week's Topics: • leaving the corporate world for hair school; finding out she wasn’t great at haircuts but great at marketing • Being hired as the director of the salon she worked at; le...
Jul 05, 2021•56 min•Ep. 200
Kate Ahl joins us this week to explain how you can use Pinterest to boost your clientele. We discuss the differences between Pinterest and Instagram, as well as tips and advice on creating an effective "Pin". This week's topics: • What is Pinterest & why it is different • How to create an effective Pin • Why your website is crucial to use Pinterest effectively • Pinterest Ads • Monitoring and posting frequency • Claiming your other social media accounts to boost connections Have you left a r...
Jun 28, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 199
Fred Jones, Chief Counsel of the Professional Beauty Federation of California joins us again to discuss the proposed Senate Bill 803 that would remove the required licensure for certain beauty services in California. He takes us through scenarios that we may see down the road if this bill passes. This week's topics: • What is Senate Bill 803? What would happen if it passes? • Impact on Education • Impact on professionalism of industry • Recognizing out-of-state licenses • What has happened in ot...
Jun 21, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 198
Leda @ledafazal joins us again this week to share her story growing up in an abusive household and the toll it took on her family. Listen to her inspirational journey towards hair and how she has made the most of her past experiences to become the successful hairdresser she is today. This Week's Topics: • Growing up in an abusive household • Running away and getting emancipated • Using work ethic to support herself and go to college • Having a bad experience as a client motivating her to hair sc...
Jun 14, 2021•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 197
As a behind-the-chair stylist, is it worth putting your time and effort into ANOTHER social media platform? Master Color Specialist and TikTok creator Leda Fazal @ledafazal joins us to tell us all about TikTok! We discuss if being on TikTok brings in clients, what types of content does well (and what doesn't), and much more. This Week's Topics: • What makes a video discoverable on TT vs IG • How TT live works; your viewers can tip you! • TT as a viable way to get clients in the chair • What the ...
Jun 07, 2021•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 196
Hairdresser, Author, Mentor... Tabatha Coffey is known throughout our industry as someone who can help you cut through the noise and truly improve yourself. Tabatha takes us through lessons to take away from the past year when it comes to finances, mental health, & client relations. This Week's Topics: • Her personal journey towards becoming a behavioral and cognitive therapist • The power of positive thinking • Important Lessons to be taken from the past year • ETA on Hair Shows & in pe...
May 31, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 195
We continue our conversation with IG Expert Jamie Dana @jamiedanahairstylist this week. Jamie gives us the 3 aspects of a great caption and how to make writing them a much easier (and quicker) task. She also weighs in on the negative aspects of social media and what she would change about the industry. This week's topics: • How to write effective captions for IG • IG Story Highlights – How these are important & What to include • The 5 different types of videos on Instagram – How they are dif...
May 24, 2021•55 min•Ep. 194
Hairstylist Business Educator Jamie Dana @jamiedanahairstylist has transitioned from a behind-the-chair stylist to an Instagram coach dedicated to helping hairstylists attract their dream clients. In the first of a 2-part series, she gives us valuable advice to improve your IG account. She breaks down 5 specific things you can do right now to help convert page lurkers to followers, and followers to clients. This week's topics: • Transitioning to 100% education & leaving her business behind t...
May 17, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 193
97% of consumers go online to find a service - Is your business coming up towards the top of online searches? That's SEO. Digital Marketing Expert Kim Fischer @13emeraldsmarketing joins us this week to explain the importance of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and how to fine-tune your online presence for local results to get more clients! This week's topics: • What is SEO? • Getting set up on Google My Business • Important aspects to pay attention to on GMB • How to take care of your reviews se...
May 10, 2021•55 min•Ep. 192
Part 2 with Digital Creative Director for @oligopro and Educator J Ladner starts off with a discussion on what COVID has done to actually strengthen our industry. We also discuss his approach to educating tomorrow's industry leaders and how asking for help can give you the boost you need. This Week's Topics: • Moving to LA to reach his next level • COVID waking up & strengthening the industry • Building his online education format and his choices • Teaching the future industry leaders • Putt...
May 03, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 191
Digital Creative Director for @oligopro and Educator J Ladner shares his personal journey of growing up in a family without acceptance, but making the choice to always choose light. We also discuss how embracing risk and being fearless can help you achieve more than you ever thought possible. This Week's Topics: • Growing up in an abusive household & being kicked out of home because he was gay • Being a salon manager and turning a salon around • Embracing risk and being fearless – opening hi...
Apr 26, 2021•55 min•Ep. 190
We are with Gina Bianca again this week and continue the discussion on strategies to build your dream clientele. We then discuss her education and coaching, as well as the addictive qualities of social platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. What are some ways we can make sure we are using our time on these platforms to benefit our business? This week's topics: • Her Online coaching and education platforms • Her podcast and elevating the beauty industry • Social Platforms & balancing...
Apr 19, 2021•47 min•Ep. 189
Salon owner & business educator Gina Bianca battled anxiety and trauma until entering rehab. We talk about her transition back to 'normal' life after rehab, as well as what stylists can do to rebuild their clientele and raise their prices post pandemic. This week's topics: • Her battle with anxiety & trauma and going into rehab for THC addiction • Her transition back to her life after rehab • Current Business topics & trends – elevating the industry & empowering the stylist • Fin...
Apr 12, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 188
This episode is all about building your clientele. Not from a simple numbers perspective, however. We want to help you build a clientele that is specific to the services and people you WANT. We put together audio from clients and industry professionals to give you strategies, advice, and techniques to fill your books with the people you WANT. SHOW NOTES: Ep. 59 - Street Interviews #3 – How clients find their stylist Ep. 45 - Lucas Doney @lucasdoney Ep. 160 & 161 - Ryan Weeden @ryan.weeden Ep...
Apr 05, 2021•49 min•Ep. 187
We continue our conversation with Leysa Carillo and discuss her difficulty retaining clients as she adjusted to life in the USA. Though curly-haired herself, she was not trained and versed in textured hair initially. We also get into the topic of curly vs. straight hair services and what you can do to learn and expand your clientele with textured hair. This week's topics: • Difficulty in retaining clients due to accent and background • Learning to work on textured hair and expanding her clientel...
Mar 29, 2021•53 min•Ep. 186
Redken ambassador & 2020 AIA Textured Stylist of the Year Leysa Carrillo gives us a glimpse into life in Cuba. She shares her amazing story of defecting to the USA and finding hair. This Week's Topics: • Life in Cuba & defecting to the USA • Finding hair and struggling to connect with clients • Learning English and appreciating what we have Have you left a review for The Hair Game Podcast yet? This week’s Pod Loot winner is getting a $150 Amazon gift card! To enter, just write a review o...
Mar 22, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 185
We pick up with Caitlin again this week to cover her strategies and advice for creating and monetizing your content, as well as how to avoid the obstacles of self-sabotage and imposter syndrome. This Week's Topics: • Building her brand on YouTube & Suggestions on starting a YouTube channel • Struggles with clientele after shutdown; changes in the business since COVID • Dealing with imposter syndrome and self-sabotage • People inspiring her right now • The future of influencers in the hair in...
Mar 15, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 184
2020 AIA Hair Colorist of the Year Caitlin Ford lost her index finger in an accident two years ago and had to adapt to her new situation. We discuss this, as well as her love of self-teaching and how she followed her creativity into coloring hair. This Week's Topics: • Losing a finger on a table saw remodeling her studio: how she adapted doing hair • Landing a position at a high end salon, but losing motivation due to the salon culture • Moving to another salon that encouraged social media • Get...
Mar 08, 2021•56 min•Ep. 183
We continue with Carly Zanoni from last week and discuss her best business advice for hairdressers. We also cover what you need to know about hiring an assistant. This week's topics: • Building her online education during quarantine– @the.BCU • Best business tips for hairdressers • Hiring an assistant: what to look for, how to train, holding accountable • Exploring other social media platforms and features • Balancing family with career: integration over balance Have you left a review for The Ha...
Mar 01, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 182
Hairstylist and educator Carly Zanoni struggled her entire first year of booth rental. Building a clientele became her number one focus, and has now achieved success along with becoming a Schwarzkopf ambassador and a part of the BTC team. She shares what worked for her then, and what works now in the Instagram era. This Week's Topics: • Being a part of the BTC team & the Schwarzkopf Digital Artistic Team- creating digital content for brands • Leaving her first commission job for booth rental...
Feb 22, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 181
Accountant Michelle Cook @smallbusinesscpa breaks down the requirements of the second PPP grant and how to apply. She also gives us lots of info & advice on the tax implications of this and any unemployment benefits received this past year. This Week's Topics: • The new PPP situation: what are the specifics? Who qualifies? • Calculating what amount of money you can get • The updated processes making it easier for you to get your loan forgiven • Are PPP Funds taxable? Tax implications of PPP ...
Feb 15, 2021•58 min•Ep. 180
Daytime Emmy winner and AIA nominee Ray Christopher took an early opportunity on set with Prince and never looked back. He discusses with us the highs and lows of set life, and what it takes to be successful in this highly coveted sector of our industry. This Week's Topics: • How an early gig on-set with Prince vaulted his career • Balancing in-salon work and set work • A day in the life of regular on-set work • Winning the emmy for ‘The Real’ • Advice for getting into the on-set scene • Future ...
Feb 08, 2021•58 min•Ep. 179
