BUILDING & BREAKING with Nina L. Kovner

In this we chat with Andi Scarbrough, a salon owner, educator, reiki master and founder of Crown Works. We talk the meaning and power of 11:11 (we recorded this episode on 11/11 OMG!), how energy impacts how you show up for yourself, your clients, your team, and so much more deep and profound wisdom. You just gotta listen. Thank you Andi for sharing your spirit and wisdom with us. You can find And...

In this episode Nina shares some thoughts around the ongoing test of Instagram hiding likes and the test coming to the US. In addition, Nina helps provide some perspective around the purpose of social media and getting back to what really matters, relationships, solving problems, adding value, listening and more. You can find Nina on the gram @passionsquared and at passionsquared.net. Thank you so...

In this episode I share my very personal journey of joy, courage, fear, depression and all the things this past year that brought me to this moment of immense gratitude, the day of my 53rd birthday. This is a very vulnerable and potentially triggering episode for those who deal with depression, eating disorders and suicidal thoughts. Because of that, please be mindful of when and where you listen...

In this episode we sit down with Melanie Guzzo of Virtue Vegan Salon and Stay Sharp Education. Melanie is a salon owner, leader, educator, vegan, and all around courageous bad ass. Melanie shares her journey as an artist, how she found clarity around the Virtue Vegan Salon brand values, healthy boundary setting, moving from behind the chair to full time leader, and so much more. You can find Melan...

In this episode we sit down with Tracy Ftacek, salon owner, educator, leader and creator of the on demand beauty brand Pretty Convenient. Tracy shares her journey into salon ownership, why culture + communication has become her foundation for success, advice for new owners and so much more. You can find Tracy on the gram @prettyconvenientapp @tracyftacek Thank you Tracy for sharing your story with...

In this episode Nina talks with Celeste Gonzalez, hair + make up artist, salon owner, educator and mama! Celeste's story is a must listen as she shares her wisdom around being a newer stylist in the pro beauty biz and how her passion for advanced education has propelled her success in just two short years along with how she navigates finding her rhythm and staying out of the comparison game on soc...

In this episode Nina shares her thoughts on putting clients on blast on social media and the not so awesome impact it can have on your business and brand, along with sharing a blog she wrote back in 2015 on the topic. A big shout out of gratitude to @erin.mills on the gram for inspiring this episode. You can find Nina and Passion Squared on the gram @passionsquared Thank you so much for listening....

In this episode Nina talks with Katie Tellor, salon owner, leader, educator and owner of Abstrakt Studio in Frisco Texas. Katie shares her story about finding the beauty biz, making the leap into ownership and leadership, how she grows her assistants, how social media has helped empower her biz and so much more! You can find Katie on the gram @katietellorhair @abstraktstudio

In this episode Nina takes it all the way back to the beginning of the podcast and reads the reviews our awesome listeners have shared along with the wisdom, power and intel that comes when you take the time to dig deep into the experiences your clients are sharing online. This is a must listen episode for all creative small biz folks, in particular, if you are one that fears review sites. You can...

In this episode Nina chats with Brenda Amaral, leader, salon owner, educator, board member of ABCH and all around awesome human being. Brenda shares her story about how she discovered her love for the pro beauty biz, why she opened a salon, how she handles team members that leave, the importance of inclusivity and integration in the salon biz, and SO much more. You can find Brenda on the gram @bre...

In this episode Nina chats with Gina Bianca, salon owner, educator, coach and beauty influencer. Gina shares her story about becoming a hairdresser and salon owner along with what inspired her to open and most recently close her first salon. Gina also shares her thoughts on social media, purpose, burnout and more. You can find Gina on the gram at @iamginabianca + @thenetworksalon Thank you Gina fo...

In this episode Nina chats with Lisa Walker, colorist, educator, mama and founder of Balayage Boot Camp + Hairbangers Academy. Lisa shares her inspiring story of how she went from being an excuse maker to taking responsibility for her career, and in doing so, discovered her gift for empowering hair colorists through her honest, tough love style of education and how she finds her rhythm as a workin...

In this episode Nina chats with Stacey Rackham, owner of Mint Hair Crafting salon. Stacey shares her journey on becoming a salon owner, leader, why inclusivity became a brand promise at Mint, and how growth can sometimes be super uncomfortable, and we even hear the sweet story of how Stacey found her fur baby Walter! You can find Stacey (and Walter) on the socials @minhaircrafting @staceyrackhair

In this episode Nina sits down with the leaders and co-owners of Nine Zero One Salon, Academy, Beauty Coach TV, In Common Beauty and BeYOUtiful Foundation. Riawna + Nikki share their story of the early days of being salon owners, the lessons they learned, how they have remained awesome business partners and friends, along with why communication and respect have become the foundation for the brands...

In this episode Nina sits down with @alicia.the.alchemist owner of two salons, educator, new mama and super awesome human! Alicia shares her story of finding the beauty biz, lessons on leadership, delegation, releasing judgement and how she finds her rhythm. You can find Alicia on the gram @alicia.the.alchemist Thank you Alicia for sharing your inspirational story with us!

In this episode Nina sits down with Caron, an Army and Navy veteran, hairdresser, makeup artist, small biz owner and mental health advocate. Caron shares her story about discovery the beauty biz as a child, entrepreneurial lessons learned in her military training, and the importance of erasing the stigma of mental health and wellness. You can find Caron on the gram @caronsim and @yesdaaahling and...

In this episode Nina sits down with Tina DeSeta, salon owner, colorist, community builder and mental health warrior. Tina shares about why she became a hairstylist and how her purpose fuels her passion for people to feel seen. You can find Tina on the gram @tinadesetahair and on Facebook at Deseta Hair Design. Thank you Tina for being awesome and sharing your story with us! We love you.

In this episode Nina shares three simple ways you can show your clients you care and grow your business long term. These basic fundamentals are not fancy, new or revolutionary, but if you are not doing them consistently, you will find yourself on the struggle bus more often than not. You can find Nina on the gram @passionsquared and on the web at passionsquared.net

In this episode Nina shares a recent experience she had getting stuck on a highway, alone, at night, in the mountains, in a snowstorm, and all the lessons she learned about being brave, our capacity for strength in scary situations, and the incredible kindness of strangers. Warning: this story may cause some fear and anxiety, but the lessons shared may be worth the temporary discomfort you may fee...

In this episode we sit down with J Ladner, salon owner, educator, artist, influencer, husband and father. We talk purpose, leadership, LGBTQ rights, influencer marketing and OMG all the feels and more. You can find J on the gram @itsmrjladner and at salonjladner.com

In this episode I share some thoughts about 2018 and what I see coming for creative small businesses, online and off, in 2019. On a personal level, I share some raw and oh so honest thoughts about mental health, courage and faith. Thank you so much for listening and for all the love and support in this first year of our podcast. We love you!

In this episode, I sit down with the beautiful and passionate Keya Neal, artist, educator, master colorist, and founder of Kolour Kulture and Texture Vs. Race. Keya shares her story of how she became a hairdresser and why she has created a movement designed to break barriers and open up important conversations to empower artists and help them see that hair is a texture and not a race. You can find...

In this episode I sit down with my long time friend Benjamin Jay, Salon Owner, Marketer + Leader at the Hair Loft LTD in Chicago. Ben shares his wisdom about marketing, social & digital media, recruitment, retail, passion and more. You can find Ben on the gram @bnjmnjy and his salons @thehairloftltd  

In this episode, I have the honor of sitting down with Dre Demry-Sanders, session stylist, hairdresser + passionate activist. We talk about inspiring Dre's story, women of color, hair, discrimination, inclusion, mental health and so much more! You can find Dre on the gram at @dre_on_hair and on her website at dreonhair.com

In this episode we sit down with Kellyn Anderson, Leader + Educator at Bow and Arrow Collective in Boston. We talk about Kellyn's journey as a salon owner, developing and staying true to her purpose and brand, what leadership looks like, and the emotional journey of being a small business owner. You can find Kellyn on the gram at @kellyn.bowandarrow and @bowandarrow.collective