The Connector

ICA's Gordon Miller explores five trends shaping the salon industry, drawing on the KIM Report’s transactional data. This episode connects the ever-changing data to business trends, plus a look at changing consumer behavior and what it means for salon owners.

Salon owner and employment-based salon evangelist Phil Santos joins Gordon for a candid conversation about commissions, leadership, and growing stronger businesses. Passionate and outspoken, Phil challenges industry narratives and explains why investing in people creates opportunity for everyone.

What does the next generation of salon leadership look like? Jenna Noelle of NYC’s Sam Brocato Salon joins Gordon Miller to talk mentorship, building a team that stays, and putting AI to work. From her front desk beginnings to becoming a director and partner, Jenna shares how technology creates more time for people.

Sheri Doss, VP of Global Education for Bumble and bumble., joins Gordon to talk about education as a driver of salon growth, culture, and careers. She shares how professional education has changed over the past decade and what stylists and salon leaders need from it today.

Heather Harris, founder and CEO of Spark Pro Global, joins Gordon to explore how strategic delegation can transform salon ownership. From virtual assistants and smarter systems to stronger leadership and increased profitability, Heather shares how salon owners can reclaim their time, empower their teams, and focus on growing their businesses.

Salon Today’s Stacey Soble joins Gordon to explore what sets great salons apart. They discuss 30 years of the Salon Today 200, changing business trends, recruitment and retention, culture, technology, profitability, education, & the power of community. Plus, Stacey shares what today’s most successful salon owners are doing to build stronger, more sustainable businesses.

Renowned salon business educator and coach Antony Whitaker returns for a practical conversation about the numbers every salon owner should understand. Drawing on Zenoti’s 2026 Beauty & Wellness Benchmark Report: Salon Edition and Antony’s recent @GrowMySalonBusiness podcast episode, “The Numbers Don’t Lie,” we explore profitability, rebooking, and client retention, plus how existing clients ar...

What does great education look like in an industry increasingly shaped by social media, independent work, and fewer opportunities for mentorship? Seven-time NAHA winner and 22-time NAHA nominee Ruth Roche joins us for a candid conversation about the future of education and why mastering the foundations still matters. Drawing on four decades in professional beauty, Ruth shares her perspective on me...

Sudheer Koneru, founder and CEO of Zenoti, joins Gordon for a forward-looking conversation about AI, data and the changing salon business. At the center of the conversation is a bigger idea: AI isn’t about replacing the human side of beauty. It’s about removing friction, strengthening teams and giving salon leaders new tools to build better businesses. They also dig into Zenoti’s industry benchmar...

Alain Audet of SalonInteractive and The Kim Report unpacks the latest salon performance data (through June 30, '26). Together with host Gordon MIller, they explore the trends, benchmarks, and KPIs that matter most to salon owners, and discuss how actionable data can help leaders coach their teams, improve performance, and build more profitable businesses.

What really happens to all the hair, foils and unused color salons throw away? Sarah Babington of Green Circle Salons joins Gordon for an eye-opening look at where salon waste goes and what it can become. They explore how smarter waste practices can strengthen culture, attract talent, build client loyalty and even reduce costs. Sustainability is good for the planet, but it can also be very good bu...

John Harms, founder and chairman of Meevo by Millennium, has helped shape how salons use technology. He joins host Gordon Miller to discuss innovation, the growing role of artificial intelligence, and the business practices that drive salon success. It’s a forward-looking conversation grounded in John's nearly four decades of industry experience.

Curly Oasis Salon owner Wafaya Abdallah joins Gordon Miller to discuss compensation plans, productivity, workplace culture and specialization—and how salon owners can build stronger, more successful businesses in today’s changing industry.

For nearly six decades, Penzone Salons + Spas has been recognized for its commitment to education, innovation, and culture. President & CEO Debbie Penzone shares how those values continue to shape the organization and introduces Base One, the company's new education and event space designed to foster learning, collaboration, and connection across the professional beauty community.

Antony Whitaker, founder of Grow My Salon Business and host of the Grow My Salon Business podcast, joins Gordon to explore 10 powerful trends shaping the future of salons. From shifting workforce dynamics and changing consumer expectations to the impact of demographics, the economy, and the environment, Antony shares sharp insights on the forces reshaping our industry.

By any measure, Sam Villa is one of the most renowned educators in the world. Sam joins us to discuss the power of connections and collaboration as well as his hopes for the future. We dig into the state of education for professionals as those with "influence" take to platforms and the front of classrooms throughout the industry.

At just 30 years old, Ameet Kallarackal is quickly becoming one of beauty's rising leaders. Gordon talks with the Glammatic co-founder about building a company straight out of college, learning leadership without a traditional mentor or boss, and his perspective on innovation, AI, and the future of salon technology.

As the founder and CEO of Phorest, Ronan Perceval has spent nearly two decades helping salons better understand their clients, their businesses, and the opportunities hidden within their data. In this episode, Gordon and Ronan discuss the evolving beauty tech landscape and its impact on salons - including how AI is NOT “changing everything”. 

Award-winning salon owner Michaella Blisset Williams is the founder and CEO of Salon 718, with eight locations across Brooklyn. A passionate industry leader and ICA Board member, Michaella brings a powerful perspective on leadership, culture, and team building that is highly relevant to the future salons.

Award-winning editorial stylist and texture artist Naeemah LaFond is known for blending fashion, culture, and creativity into bold, unforgettable looks. She has appeared on runways around the world as well as in Vogue, Glamour, Allure, ELLE, and WWD. The Global Brand Ambassador for Olaplex and Shark Beauty is Founder & Creative Director of Texture on Set, an annual conference focused on artist...

Michael Cole, one of the leading and most innovative voices in salon business education and coaching for over 30 years, is the co-founder of Salon Summit Business Center ("Summit") and the founder of the Salon Development Corporation. In 2023, Michael joined  the PCI Academy Leadership Team where he works with future professionals pushing the boundaries of innovation and education as it re...

Tabatha Coffey is, without question, one of the most iconic, well-known, and most respected hairdressers on the planet today.  Her no-nonsense take on building a successful career and business in our industry has inspired countless professionals to greater success. Tabatha joins host and ICA General Manager Gordon Miller to discuss the power of our mindsets to impact our careers, businesses, and l...

Known throughout the industry as an absolute master of the art, craft, and business of hairdressing, Candy Shaw is also among Intercoiffure's most recognized and respected members. The 2025 NAHA Educator of the Year has been changing careers and lives for decades. In this episode, Candy brings us some of the stories, beliefs, and practices behind her most iconic career.

A member of the iconic Neill family (owners of Neill Corp, Serious Business, Aveda Arts Institutes, Paris Parker Salons), hairdresser, and founder of Elevate Hair, Tatum has made his unique mark on the industry. He joins Gordon to discuss leadership in 2026, the state of social media, and even a dive into hair trends.

Sam Brocato returns to share more of his very practical perspective on AI's power to transform salons. Sam Brocato Salon uses AI across virtually every area of the business. From staff training and 24/7 customer support to financial and business analysis, we dig into some real-world examples of how AI is benefiting Sam's team, clients, and larger business.