Ask The Color Expert

Are you carrying the emotional weight of your business alone? In this raw and revealing episode, Elaine opens up about the heartbreak of closing her salon after 36 years—and the communication breakdowns that made it inevitable. She’s joined by Tina Power, LMFT , a licensed therapist and communication coach who helps hairstylists navigate the emotional side of their work with more clarity, confiden...

Are you leveling up—or stuck in what’s “always worked”?  In this candid episode, Elaine shares a painful lesson from Pilates class (involving springs, ego, and a bruised finger)—and how it perfectly parallels the mindset traps many stylists fall into behind the chair. 🎙️ What you’ll learn:  ✨ Why staying in your comfort zone can quietly kill your career  💡 What a $10 glaze says about your pricin...

Are your clients chasing roots—or ready to embrace the blend? In this honest, no-fluff episode, Elaine shares her own journey into gray blending—and what every stylist needs to know. 🎙️ What you’ll learn: ✨ Why gray blending isn’t “giving up”—it’s leveling up 💡 How to avoid over-foiling fine hair (even on yourself!) 👀 Why clients love dimensional silver—even when we don't 🎯 What most styl...

Are you building a career—or just winging it and hoping for the best? In this powerful, no-BS episode of the Ask the Color Expert Podcast , Elaine Travis shares 20 hard-earned lessons from nearly 40 years in the beauty industry that every stylist needs to hear—whether you're just getting started or stuck in burnout. From the myth of beauty school to why giving free haircuts is killing your in...

Sick of juggling shelves full of demi and permanent color? In this episode, Elaine Travis welcomes Gary Cole back to the mic for a deep dive into salon inventory chaos—and how a few drops of the right additive can change everything. Introducing Color Tricks , a stylist-created solution that transforms any permanent color into a gentle, acidic demi using your existing formulas and 10-volume develop...

Are you really stuck—or just stuck in your own story? In this bold and truth-packed episode of the Ask the Color Expert Podcast , Elaine Travis challenges stylists to take a hard look in the mirror and ask: What’s really holding me back behind the chair? Drawing from nearly four decades of salon ownership and coaching, Elaine unpacks the real reasons some stylists struggle to build a loyal cliente...

Is your pricing model helping your salon thrive—or quietly draining your profits? In this eye-opening episode of the Ask the Color Expert Podcast , Elaine Travis exposes the top 5 habits that are keeping colorists from reaching their full earning potential behind the chair. From outdated menu language to giving away blowouts, Elaine gets real about the hidden ways stylists lose income—without even...

Are your go-to hair hacks helping your clients—or secretly sabotaging your results? In this no-holds-barred episode of the Ask the Color Expert Podcast , Elaine Travis breaks down the good, the bad, and the downright ugly habits showing up behind the chair. From overused techniques to missed summer opportunities, Elaine shares the truth about what’s elevating your client experience—and what might...

Are root touch-ups keeping your color business stuck in the past? In this Ask the Color Expert episode, Elaine Travis unveils her #1 secret to standing out as a colorist —and it’s not just about covering gray. Discover why formulas aren’t one-size-fits-all, and how custom, dimensional color can elevate your work, raise your prices, and build fierce client loyalty. Elaine dives deep into the outdat...

In this episode, Elaine sits down with Tracey Napotnik, the founder of the Pennsylvania Beauty Show, to talk about the exciting return of in-person education for beauty professionals. Tracey shares her vision for the event, the inspiration behind launching it, and why now is the perfect time for stylists and salon owners to reconnect, learn, and grow together. Whether you're looking for fresh...

Are formulas meant to be shared, or should they stay top secret? In this Ask the Color Expert Podcast episode, we break down the real value of a formula, why true color confidence goes beyond recipes, and how mastering formulation can set you apart behind the chair. Tune in and decide—are you Team Share or Team Keep It Secret? Want to keep up to date with all things hair color? Join the community...

In this latest episode of Ask the Color Expert Podcast , Michael Colr shares his journey of navigating grief.  Michael Cole is a salon business expert and industry leader. He is also the  board member and shareholder at Summit Salon Business Center, and has over 30 years of experience as a stylist, salon owner, and educator. As founder of Salon Development Corporation, he has helped thousands of s...

Clients are signing up for hair color classes… not to become stylists, but to educate themselves about what we should already know. What’s going wrong in our industry?! In this eye-opening episode of Ask the Color Expert Podcast , we break down why this is happening and what YOU can do to stay ahead. Want to keep up to date with all things hair color? Join the community here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.expe...

In this episode of Ask The Color Expert, I am having a Christmas Coffee Chat with Gary Call about all things hair and beauty industry. Gary Call is the Head Coach of KIN North America and a lifelong hairstylist with a passion for elevating the beauty industry. With decades of experience behind the chair and in leadership roles, Gary is dedicated to inspiring and mentoring professionals to achieve...

In this episode of Ask The Color Expert, I talk with Shanna Moll about Studio YOU, a company dedicated to helping beauty professionals grow with integrity and compassion. Through education and coaching, they empower stylists to offer transformative hair loss solutions, providing hope to clients and rewarding experiences for stylists. Shanna Moll is a trailblazer with over 37 years of experience in...

In this episode of Ask The Color Expert, Jack Travis and I discuss the importance of paid ads, automation, and branding for your salon. Jack is the creative force behind My Salon Concierge, dedicated to crafting visual narratives that resonate. With an Entrepreneurship degree from the University of Tampa, Jack brings a fresh perspective to the salon industry, blending business savvy with a passion...

In this episode of Ask The Color Expert, Alice Wilcox and I discuss gene keys, going deeper with yourself, and going through the Human Design chart as a guide to transform your life. Alice is a mother, wife, and Spiritual Adventure and Transformation Coach. After a life-altering loss, she embarked on an 8-year journey of healing, embracing love, forgiveness, and self-discovery. With nearly four de...

In this episode of Ask The Color Expert I’m discussing about how prices in salon have increased so much and what I learned through out the years of owning and working at a salon. Want to keep up to date with all things hair color? Join the community here: ⁠⁠https://www.expertcolorsolutions.com⁠⁠ or @expertcolorsolutions on Instagram. And don’t forget to review this podcast - it helps others find m...

In this episode of Ask The Color Expert, Blake Reed Evans Global Redken Pro Artist and Salon Owner shares his top tips for salon owners, educators and aspiring future educators.  Meet Blake Reed Evans, a passionate hairstylist and educator from Tampa, Florida. A Redken Artist and member of the SalonCentric #ittakesapro Team, Blake is committed to building an educational community for hairstylists...

In this episode of Ask The Color Expert I’m sharing about a client rating system for day to day salon bookings that I saw in a post online. Want to keep up to date with all things hair color? Join the community here: ⁠⁠https://www.expertcolorsolutions.com⁠⁠ or @expertcolorsolutions on Instagram. And don’t forget to review this podcast - it helps others find me, and means I can help even more incre...

In this episode of Ask The Color Expert, Lacey Gebo shares her passion for training your assistant and growing your income.  Lacey,  is a passionate mentor dedicated to helping stylists and salon owners thrive. With 12 years of experience as a stylist and as the owner of **Salon Lace** in Claremore, Oklahoma, she leads a team of 14 talented artists in a blended salon environment. Lacey also runs L...

In this episode of Ask The Color Expert I’m discussing with Michele Madjid how to stand out as a colorist using the color analysis tool from Australia. Michele, a seasoned hairdresser from Sydney, has over 20 years of experience in the industry. Her career began at 19 with an apprenticeship at Toni and Guy, where she honed her skills in hair coloring and client consultation. As an entrepreneur, Mi...

In this episode of Ask The Color Expert I’m sharing about the power of DEMI. Want to keep up to date with all things hair color? Join the community here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.expertcolorsolutions.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or @expertcolorsolutions on Instagram. ‌ And don’t forget to review this podcast - it helps others find me, and means I can help even more incredible stylists transform into expert colorists!. ‌ PS -...

In this episode of Ask The Color Episode I’m sharing about how one of my social media ads on swatches triggered many people. Want to keep up to date with all things hair color? Join the community here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.expertcolorsolutions.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ or @expertcolorsolutions on Instagram. ‌ And don’t forget to review this podcast - it helps others find me, and means I can help even more incredible sty...

In this episode of Ask The Color Episode I’m sharing about my solo trip to France! Want to keep up to date with all things hair color? Join the community here: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.expertcolorsolutions.com⁠⁠⁠ or @expertcolorsolutions on Instagram. ‌ And don’t forget to review this podcast - it helps others find me, and means I can help even more incredible stylists transform into expert colorists!. ‌ PS...