Chris Baran's Headcases

Have you ever started a new job, joined a salon, or stepped into a new business, and genuinely wanted to help... only to have people look at you like, "Who are you?" It felt like no matter how hard you worked or how much value you brought, you were invisible. The truth is, we've all been there. The reason often has less to do with your talent and more to do with the stage you'r...

Hey my friends. Are you feeling overwhelmed with too much on your plate? Is your to-do list stealing time away from your friends and family? Are you cramming errands into an already packed day? Then today’s guest is a must-listen. She’s an award-winning stylist, a national educator, a salon owner, and the founder of Spark Pro Salon, Spark Pro Global, and Alchemy Salon Consulting. Yep, she does all...

⭐️⭐️⭐️    Check out more episodes and the videos at https://chrisbaran.com/podcast ⭐️ Join our FREE Facebook community for Salon Team Trainers today. https://facebook.com/groups/salonteamtraining ✅ Exclusive content on how to implement and scale your salon training the easy way ✅ Save time and learn what works from people just like you  ✅ Get back to your mission of building the salon busin...

Today's guest is someone very special to me. He has been on Headcases before, and his episode is one of our highest-ranked ever. He's my teacher, my mentor, and a true friend. He played a major role in shaping who I am today as a leader, a speaker, and an educator. He has trained hundreds of thousands of people across 25 countries in business, leadership, communication, and personal deve...

They are more than just hairdressers–they are two true icons of the industry. They’ve owned prestigious bi-coastal salons. They've built careers as celebrity stylists and TV personalities in their own right. They are major beauty brand spokespeople, and they've created their own luxury retail lines.  But what really sets them apart is where their heart is—education. They’ve spent years t...

Welcome to another episode of Headcases ! Today’s guest used a word that really stuck with me: flourish . Not just to survive… not even just to succeed… but to truly flourish–both financially and artistically. With over 30 years coaching to the spa and salon industry, he brings deep expertise in marketing, communication, and business operations. He has delivered more than 900 trainings to over 40,...

Today's guest is a repeat offender. He's been on Headcases before, and he never fails to deliver the goods. He brings more than 40 years of experience to the table as a stylist, a manager, a multi-salon owner, and as executive chain director. He co-founded the Summit Salon Business Center, and for over 35 years he has been the founder and president of the Salon Development Corporation, a...

Today’s guest is a top-ranked podcaster, a sought-after keynote speaker, and the creator of The Vibe Method . He came from humble beginnings and rose to become a nationally celebrated entrepreneur with one enduring message: people matter most . His guests on The Vibe Podcast have included Grammy winners, Super Bowl champions, innovators, CEOs, and everyday legends, and their conversations always l...

Welcome to Headcases ! Today we demystify technology in our industry. We'll look at what can genuinely support your business, and what can actually hurt it if you’re not careful. Our guest is the Executive Director of Industry Relations and Insights at Pivot Point International, where he connects the dots between data, education, and innovation across every corner of the professional beauty w...

⭐️⭐️⭐️    Check out more episodes and the videos at https://chrisbaran.com/podcast ⭐️ Join our FREE Facebook community for Salon Team Trainers today. https://facebook.com/groups/salonteamtraining ✅ Exclusive content on how to implement and scale your salon training the easy way ✅ Save time and learn what works from people just like you  ✅ Get back to your mission of building the salon busin...

You talk about a classic triple play—this episode is it. Each of these powerhouse women have been my guest in the past, but I could not resist the opportunity to bring these three best friends together for one epic conversation. So settle in and get ready for some laughs, some insight, and some pure inspiration. One is an international hairstyling legend and five-time Hall of Fame award winner fro...

I had such a great talk with my guest this week. She is a powerhouse influencer with a mission to elevate and amplify the real life impact of artists, salon owners, and educators on all of us.  She hosts her podcast, coaching, and personal development retreats under the Hair Love University umbrella. I can't wait to share with you this week’s guest: Elizabeth Faye.  • Elizabeth shares the emo...

Welcome to another episode of Head Cases! This week’s guest is a little different from the norm, and his story is one you’ll never forget. Before I introduce him, let me share a quick story. Back when I used to sail, we had this tradition after races, we’d hand out two awards at the bar: the Aw Shit Award for the one who really messed up, and the Done Good Award for the one who nailed it. And let’...

Welcome to Head Cases! Today’s guest took an incredible path into the beauty industry, after a five-year stint in the Army, she set her sights on becoming a creative force in hair. She’s the former Creative Director for Pureology, a global educator and brand ambassador for BaBylissPRO, and she’s brought her artistry to the runway at New York Fashion Week for over 70 designers. Her editorial work h...

Today’s guest is a seasoned salon owner who recently celebrated a diamond milestone—25 years in the business. He now serves as the Director of Business and Leadership Development for the Salon 124 Group out of Atlanta, Georgia—an impressive company with over 200 team members, a cosmetology school, and more than $11 million in annual sales. He’s a lifelong learner, a John Maxwell certified speaker...

Today’s guests are the husband and wife team from Salon 27 in Mesa, Arizona. They added a virtual element to their consultations that has completely changed their business. They’re here to tell us how it's done with a simple four-step process. As the salon's Creative Director, Amber brings the artistry and training. With Chet's background in marketing and data analytics, he's d...

Today’s guest brings the perfect blend of heart and business savvy to the salon industry. With a business degree in hand, he helped elevate his salon both culturally and financially—earning a place in Salon Today’s Top 200 nearly every year since. As a business coach he helps good salons become great , guiding them to award-winning success. He is an inspiring keynote speaker, a grounded thought le...

Today’s guest is an absolute firecracker in the salon industry and you’ll feel it the moment she starts speaking. Her systems, strategies, and no-nonsense approach have helped salon owners hit seven-figure success and service providers reach six-figure incomes— without burning out. She has empowered thousands of professionals to break through their limits, boost their profits, and build thriving b...

This is the second time we’ve had the pleasure of welcoming this incredible guest to Headcases , and for good reason. We started with a powerful conversation about the role of questioning in the salon, as owners, as educators, and as leaders, and it became something much deeper. His perspective as a corporate executive coach carries so much insight I knew I had to bring him back and share even mor...

Welcome back to Headcases ! Part 1 of our conversation with Celene Dupuis was incredible - she came in strong, busting industry myths and dropping leadership wisdom that every salon pro needs to hear. In Part 2, we’re picking up right where we left off. Celene continues to challenge the status quo, offering real talk, practical strategies, and powerful insights to help you grow as a leader and bui...

Hi, and welcome once again to Headcases. For a long time now I've wanted someone on the show who could bust some of the biggest myths that still haunt our industry—and today we have the perfect guest. She is an award-winning entrepreneur and leadership coach known for helping individuals and organizations unlock their full potential. While mentoring leaders, entrepreneurs, and teams across th...

My friends, welcome to another episode of Headcases — and this one’s a good one. My guest is a true powerhouse in the beauty industry. You probably already know her as a celebrity stylist, with a client list including Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Jennifer Hudson, Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian, and Serena Williams. She made history as the first African American beauty professional spokesperson for Pantene and...

Today’s guest is making a real impact in our industry. She’s the Executive Director of the Professional Beauty Association (PBA), bringing her unique blend of experience as a licensed aesthetician, makeup artist, and business owner. Before stepping into her role at PBA, she ran a successful cosmetics and skincare business in Michigan, and spent 15 years in corporate communications and community re...

She co-founded the highly successful Julian August Salon in California, where she spent 32 years perfecting her craft behind the chair. Her passion for teaching—combined with her unmatched technical skill—made her one of the most sought-after colorists and educators in North America. While working full-time in the salon, she also founded Hair Color Magic, an education program that helped colorists...

If anyone deserves the title of GOAT in hair color, it’s today’s guest. Fresh out of university and beauty school, she was appointed Director of Education at Clairol. She later consulted for brands like Redken and Joico to help develop major professional color lines. She has traveled the globe, training thousands of colorists. She co-owned the famous Minardi Salon in New York. A true celebrity sty...