Cutting Through The Noise

Recorded live at HairCon 2026, this episode of Cutting Through the Noise features host Stephanie Mason in conversation with Marie Nieuwoudt, Group Education Manager at Cloud Nine and a passionate advocate for innovation, education, and the future of the professional hair industry. With more than 40 years of experience in brand building and supporting salon professionals, Marie has witnessed the in...

Recorded live at HairCon 2026, this episode of Cutting Through the Noise features host Stephanie Mason in conversation with Jo Robertson, founder of Wonderful Brands and one of the professional beauty industry's most respected distribution and brand-building experts. With extensive experience helping brands expand across multiple markets, Jo has spent decades building successful partnerships betwe...

In this episode of Cutting Through the Noise, Hayley Mears is joined by Phil Taylor — hairdresser, brand builder, and co-founder of VybeAI — for a future-focused conversation on how artificial intelligence is reshaping the salon industry, and why this shift is happening faster than most people realise. With 27 years in the industry, Phil shares his journey from behind the chair into sales, educati...

Host Hayley Mears welcomes Olivia Thompson, also known as OMG! Artistry, who joins the podcast from Fort Lauderdale ahead of their first trip to Australia for Hair Festival. The discussion covers Olivia's extensive career, their commitment to education, the development of their viral social media strategy, and a preview of the blonding and colour techniques they will be teaching. Key Takeaways &am...

In this episode of Cutting Through the Noise, Hayley Mears sits down with Natalie Chadwick, Creative Director of CPR Hair, for a conversation about intuition, creativity, and the mindset required to build something meaningful in the hair industry. Nat reflects on the role intuition has played throughout her career, describing it as both a superpower and a challenge. Her ability to read people and...

In this episode of Cutting Through the Noise, Hayley Mears sits down with salon owner and entrepreneur Sheridan Rose Shaw for a deeply honest conversation about growth, motherhood, and redefining leadership during major life transitions. Sheridan shares what the past year has looked like as her business continues to expand while welcoming her second daughter, Queenie. While the growth has been exc...

In this episode of Cutting Through the Noise, Hayley Mears is joined by Soul Hair co-owners Andrea MacKellar and Ash Lennan for an honest conversation about career growth, partnership, motherhood, and building a values-led salon in regional New South Wales. Andrea shares her journey from starting hairdressing at 15 to relocating from Sydney to Gunnedah for a slower pace of life — a move that unexp...

In this episode of Cutting Through the Noise, Hayley Mears sits down with industry disruptor, founder, and author David Thurston to unpack the release of his book The Spiral Staircase and the seismic shifts shaping the global hair industry. David reflects on the deeply personal journey behind the book — a candid account of his path from the independent salon movement through the rise of social med...

In this episode of Cutting Through the Noise, Hayley Mears is joined by industry icon Tabatha Coffey for a wide-ranging and deeply honest conversation about growth, discomfort, and the realities of building a sustainable career in the hair industry. Drawing from salon forum discussions and decades of global experience, Tabatha shares why growth isn’t meant to feel comfortable — and why chasing too...

In this kick-off episode for 2026 of Cutting Through the Noise, Hayley Mears sits down with Jordan Alexander — co-founder of Goddess — to unpack what it really takes to build a global hair brand without losing sight of the hairdresser. Although recorded in late 2025, this conversation looks firmly ahead. Jordan shares why 2026 marks the first full year of Goddess following its launch in April 2025...

In this episode, Hayley Mears is joined by two industry icons — Emiliano Vitale and Lisa Vitale of the award-winning é Salon. Celebrating 25 years in business, é Salon is built on a core philosophy that has shaped every part of their success: “We see people first, hair second.” Emiliano shares the story behind é Salon’s legacy — from starting in the industry at age 11 to opening their first salon...

In this episode, Hayley Mears sits down with Vince Saunders, owner and founder of Bonce Hair Boutique in regional South Australia — a salon known for its sharp branding, strong culture, and clever community-led marketing. Vince opens up about the recruitment crisis facing salon owners, why fewer stylists want to work in traditional teams, and how shifting expectations around work–life balance are...

In this episode of Cutting Through the Noise, Hayley Mears sits down with Chrystofer Benson and Hannah Benson — the creative forces behind CBC Productions — for an honest conversation about purpose, partnership, and the power of intention. The discussion opens with a shared appreciation for authenticity in podcasting — a natural, unfiltered flow where real stories of success and struggle connect d...

In this episode of Cutting Through the Noise, Hayley Mears and Stephanie Mason finally reconnect after a whirlwind year of global events, career milestones, and industry evolution. Steph shares her journey stepping into her new role as Global Managing Director of Cloud Nine, reflecting on leadership, brand integrity, and what it’s like to run a family-owned powerhouse from Europe. She gives a behi...

In this episode, Hayley Mears sits down with Shakira Dickinson, the founder of Hair Candy, an award-winning hair extensions business with three salons across Queensland and an e-commerce education brand. Shakira shares her 18-year journey from working out of a spare bedroom to building one of Australia’s leading hair extension empires. She opens up about the power of consistency, adapting to chang...

In this episode, Hayley Mears chats with Sonia Thomas, also known as The Salon Dr, who brings over 37 years of experience in the salon industry. From salon owner to corporate sales leader, Sonia shares the mindset, strategies, and communication skills that help salon professionals elevate their businesses — not through discounts or gimmicks, but through authentic client education, value-driven ser...

In this episode, Hayley Mears chats with Emily Ciardiello, entrepreneur and founder of Foil Me, the Australian brand that revolutionised pre-cut foils for hairdressers. Emily shares her journey from being a school teacher to launching Foil Me alongside her husband, growing it into an internationally recognised brand — all while navigating business, family, and well-being. ✂️ Highlights from the Ep...

In this episode of Cutting Through the Noise, Hayley Mears sits down with Gavin Hinton, co-founder of Freedom Suites and long-time contributor to the Australian Hairdressing Council (AHC), to explore the changing landscape of the hair and beauty industry. With 25 years of experience spanning software, sustainability, and distribution, Gavin has played a pivotal role in shaping the business side of...

In this episode, Hayley Mears welcomes Sophia Hilton, who discusses her business's transformation from a salon owner to a holistic business and life coach with "Not Another Club," already boasting 320 members and aiming for 1,000 within two years. They delve into Sophia's organisational strategies for a "disorganised brain," their shared use of AI for efficiency, and the unexpected value of mundan...

In this episode of Cutting Through the Noise, host Hayley Mears is joined by Simon Pitt and Megan Pitt to discuss their shared mission of bringing cutting-edge innovation to both hair and skin. Together, they unpack the stories behind two standout brands—Goddess, a dual-peptide hair repair and protection product, and Matter of Fact, a Korean-inspired skincare line designed to simplify and elevate...

In this special episode recorded live at HairCon in Manchester, Hayley sits down with Jason and Charity from Vagaro—the tech company making serious waves in salon software. With a stand that stole the show (think Coachella meets hair tech), Vagaro didn’t just bring innovation—they brought vibe. This conversation explores: Why Vagaro returned to HairCon with an even bigger impact in 2025 How the br...

In this exciting live episode from Manchester, we sit down with industry veteran and entrepreneur John Gillespie, whose work with Phenix Salon Suites is shaking up the UK hair and beauty scene. A hairdresser by trade with deep roots in the industry, John has gone from sweeping floors in his parents’ salon to performing in over 60 countries and launching a game-changing business model that empowers...

In this special episode, Hayley welcomes back the inspiring Josie Bryce Smith—founder of Original & Mineral (O&M)—alongside creative powerhouse Jay Edwards and international educator Kindale Godbee from the United States. Together, they take us behind the scenes of one of the most anticipated events on the hairdressing calendar: Made for Originals 2024. Now in its third year, Made for Orig...

In this special HairCon edition of Cutting Through the Noise, Hayley Mears sits down with the vibrant and passionate Demetri Deacon-Jones, EMEA Beauty Experience Training Manager at Dyson, for an energetic chat on the intersection of engineering and creativity in professional hairdressing. Set against the buzzing, festival-style backdrop of HairCon—a venue filled with exposed beams, music, and hai...

In this episode, host Hayley Mears sits down with ADHD coach Caroline Beresford to explore the fascinating links between ADHD and the hairdressing industry. With a background in science and business, Caroline now works with clients to better understand and manage the unique ways ADHD shows up in their lives. And in this conversation, she brings powerful insights—particularly for creatives in servi...