BUILDING & BREAKING with Nina L. Kovner

In this episode of BUILDING & BREAKING , Nina breaks down Target's trust crisis, not as a political conversation, but as a brand case study. Why did loyal shoppers like Nina, who went to Target every week, walk away? What lessons can salon owners, hairstylists, creative entrepreneurs, and beauty brands learn about lifetime customer (and client) value, consistency, and the cost of making decisions...

In this episode of BUILDING & BREAKING, we're diving deep into the legendary story of Aveda: how it rose to beloved icon status, what fueled its global success, and how it lost its way. Nina Kovner, former beauty brand VP, educator, and lifelong observer of Aveda's rise and evolution, breaks down the brand's rise under Horst Rechelbacher's visionary leadership, its pioneering of nature-powered bea...

In the premiere episode of BUILDING & BREAKING, Nina dives deep into one of the greatest brand loyalty stories of our time: Costco. Through personal reflections as a newer Costco member (yet longtime studier of the brand) and decades of experience in brand strategy, Nina unpacks why Costco continues to build lasting trust, while other brands seem to be breaking it. This episode breaks down the fun...

Why I'm Ending the PEOPLE PASSION PURPOSE Podcast—and Starting a New One That You Absolutely Need To Hear In this final episode, I share why I'm closing this podcast and what's next: Building & Breaking with Nina L. Kovner, a new show about how brands are built, how trust is broken, and what it all means for salon owners, beauty brands, and creatives. It's the end of one story, and the start of so...

Originally aired January 31, 2024 In this episode, Nina shares some thoughts about the 'everyone is slow' narrative being shared on the salon industry socials. The fact is, not everyone is slow, busy, sad, happy, or anything. This is another example of black-and-white thinking, coupled with remembering the algorithms can be deceiving and distracting. Nina also shares insights on some key areas of...

Originally Aired May 1, 2024 In this episode, Nina revisits a conversation around our collective loss of perspective as an industry thanks to the algorithms on social media feeding into our fears and insecurities by amplifying the most enraging pieces of content. Remember, your content is your marketing, and what you choose to engage with online has a direct impact on your salon business and brand...

Originally aired January 3, 2024 In this episode, Nina proclaims 2024 to be the year of perspective for the salon industry. One viral TiKTok or some comments from random strangers on the Internet is not fact, or truth. The algorithms are designed to feed off our enragement and discourse. Because of that, we are collectively losing perspective around how different salon businesses and models work,...

In this episode, Nina shares a reminder that sometimes it's best to keep the snark in the group chat. Whether it's the latest Calico Hair trend, or things some salon clients do that give you the ick, you need to remember that your salon brand content is your marketing, and everything you post, share, like and comment on can be seen by your current salon clients and potential future clients. Jokes...

In this super imperfect episode, Nina shares a raw and real look at finding a new rhythm after a big move to Park City, Utah. Whether it's pumping gas for the first time in six years, getting into someone else's black Subaru Outback, to working in a super rad coworking space after working from home for the last twelve years, there is nothing clean or perfect about learning new things and finding n...

In this episode, we welcome a VERY special guest, David Thurston, owner of Butterfly Loft Salon and founder and CEO of Danger Jones. David shares his journey into the salon industry, his insightful and inspiring stories about taking risks, and how Butterfly Circus created a monumental shift in the salon industry, building community and the power of independent education. David also shares his rece...

In this episode, Nina revisits 'your content is your marketing', emphasizing the importance of creating content that aligns with your specific salon brand and audience. There is a big difference between marketing for local salon clients versus marketing as industry influencers, and to be effective, content needs to be relatable and valuable to your specific audience to build trust, relationships,...

In this episode, we welcome Amanda Harsche, an independent stylist, educator, and content creator from Denver, Colorado to the pod. Amanda shares her journey to becoming a hairdresser, despite initial resistance from her parents, how she built a salon clientele in a small town, authenticity and simplicity in creating content, and her unwavering commitment to making hair education accessible to all...

In this episode, Nina dives into how salons can grow without depending solely on social media. We talk about the importance of understanding how different marketing strategies fit different types of businesses, like not confusing influencer and content creator marketing strategies with your local salon business marketing strategies. We discuss the fundamentals of new client engagement and existing...

In this episode, Nina welcomes back Brenda Amaral, owner of Gwen Mireille Salon & Spa in Raynham, Massachusetts, and founder of True Hair Education. Brenda shares her journey transitioning from booth renter to an employment-based salon owner, emphasizing the importance of overcoming fears and regrets. She speaks about her early challenges in leadership and the significance of having mentors. Our c...

In this episode, Nina shares some thoughts about creative slumps in content creation including a process to work through your slump. We talk about the importance of genuine connections and the struggle with passive content consumption, the difference between creating content for marketing your business and influencers who create content as a business, and the need for a periodic reset to find insp...

In this episode, Nina welcomes Sean Paisant, Owner of Entrust Hair in Portland, Oregon, and seasoned haircutting educator. Sean shares his journey of building, leading, and growing Entrust Hair over the past 14 years, the origins of Entrust, the shift from an employment-based to a lease-based salon model, the importance of focusing on community and connection between clients and other hairdressers...

Originally aired January, 31, 2024 In this episode, Nina shares some thoughts about the 'everyone is slow' narrative being shared on the salon industry socials. The fact is, not everyone is slow, busy, sad, happy, or anything. This is another example of black-and-white thinking, coupled with remembering the algorithms can be deceiving and distracting. Nina also shares insights on some key areas of...

In this episode, Nina welcomes back Stacey Rackham, leader and owner of Mint Hair Crafting Salon in Ferndale, Michigan. They dive right into Stacey's new concept, Melt, which focuses on scalp care and head spa experiences inspired by Japanese wellness techniques. Stacey discusses her journey of creating the Melt head spa experience, the challenges faced, and the overwhelmingly positive feedback fr...

In this episode, Nina revisits the January 2024 episode on perspective for the salon industry, and reflects on significant global and consumer trends impacting the salon industry from 2023 to 2024, emphasizing the importance of providing care, building trust, and creating value for salon clients. We dive into topics ranging from customer psychology and economic factors to specific salon industry t...

In this episode, Danielle Green, the owner, and creator of Radically Curly Salon, an employment based salon in Las Vegas returns to the pod. We discuss Danielle's recent move to a large salon from a quad salon suite, to accommodate her growing clientele and team. Danielle shares the journey and motivations behind creating the Radically Curly Salon brand, which focuses on celebrating all natural te...

In this episode Nina dives deeper into a recent Reel they shared on the connection between your salon brand, your salon experiences, and your salon prices. When your prices are aligned with the experience you deliver, and you're attracting salon clients who see value in the experience for the price, you are good. When your salon prices are out of alignment with the experience you deliver, that's w...

In this episode, Nina sits down with Kristen Peckich, the owner of La Pomponnee Salon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We discuss Kristen's 32 years as the owner and leader of an employment-based salon, her unusually low turnover of team members and clients, her salon leadership philosophy, lessons learned, and transitioning from working behind the chair into a full time leadership position. We also t...

In this episode, Nina revisits a conversation around our collective loss of perspective as an industry thanks to the algorithms on social media feeding into our fears and insecurities by amplifying the most enraging pieces of content. Remember, your content is your marketing, and what you choose to engage with online has a direct impact on your salon business and brand. And when you choose to enga...

In this episode, Nina talks about the recent ban on non-compete agreements in the US and why that's awesome news for the salon industry in creating a positive and supportive environment for your salon team members, focusing on building trust through clear communication, expectations, and shared vision. Nina also talks about how this new ruling is directly connected to your salon brand story which...

In this episode, Nina share insights on generational discourse drawing from their own experiences as a young hairdresser and marketer, the importance of listening to different generations and their perspectives, and how it applies to both your salon business and life and shares some tips from a blog they wrote in 2013 on how to be a more empathetic leader to future generations. Nina also shares wh...