Hairbrained Conversations

Clubhouse is the newest sensation in digital and social media apps and platforms - and the professional salon community is showing up in a VERY big way. Salon business coach/thought leader Nina Kovner joins Gordon for a highly engaging conversation on how 'social audio' can benefit professionals, where the platform might be headed, and what it all could mean in the larger context of innovation and...

If ever there was an example of the opportunities open to licenced salon professionals, it is @paulmitchellpro's Kristin Firrell.   Starting her career as a hairdresser at Sassoon in San Francisco, Kristen's career has taken her to positions in Australia, New York City and Beverly Hills.  Today Kristin is a VP at one of the largest hair care and color companies in the world.  She joins Gordon to s...

Brooklyn-based salon owner and Goldwell educator @ShannonWilliamKing shares the backstory behind his long and successful career.  "Born into the industry", Shannon (the son of 2 hairdressers) found ongoing continuing education early in his career -and in time was sharing with other professionals literally around the globe. In this insightful conversation, we talk salons, education, pandemic, #Blac...

@SebastianPro_official Global Artistic Director, educator, and master of the 'blade' (as in razor), @ShayDempsey1 shares his story, some of the lessons learned along the way, as well as his positive take on the fast-changing landscape in professional education - and how we teach and learn as an industry. 

Renowned educator, Andrew Carruthers has recently been named Culture Ambassador for @SamVillaHair and just launched The Journeyist, his new life and career coaching program for professionals. Andrew joins us to discuss the story behind his iconic career, the evolution of his own journey as an integral part of the Sam Villa education team - and his longtime passion for the power of effective life c...

Salon owner, world-class competitor, and working professional @JimmyVanBoxel used much of his pandemic related downtime to conquer TikTok.  Today, Jimmy's page has 1 million followers and over 100 million video views. An  official TikTok 'creator',  Jimmy shares insights into this fascinating social platform - as well as lessons learned as a long time competitor in OMC HairWorld's World Championsh...

Ronan Perceval, CEO, creator/founder of Phorest Salon Software joins Gordon to discuss the future of salons and professionals - based on the reality of data collected from thousands of salons across the globe using Phorset throughout the pandemic.  

Gordon (@gordnm) turns over the hosting duties this week to Amy Dodds, Hb Senior Director of Engagement - and shows up as our guest to share some of the stories behind his 40+ year career in pro beauty & his journey to Hairbrained, thoughts on the evolution of digital and social media, and answers the big question "why are you so passionate about hairdressers and the larger salon industry".  

Educator, Author, and Entrepreneur Ivan Zoot shares insights into our changing industry -and what he knows are the fundamental strategies and best practices needed to succeed behind the chair going forward.  A renowned figure in men's grooming and barbering, Ivan has always been drawn to the business side of the salon/shop - as a foundation for a long, successful career doing what he loves most -...

To start the year off right, Hb Co-founder Randy Taylor joins Gordon to talk education - and its fast changing landscape in the age of Covid. Among the salon industry's most renowned photographer/videographers, Randy shares insights into life behind the scenes working with many of the biggest names in beauty, the story behind his own iconic career - and thoughts on digital education and Hairbraine...

Internationally renowned business educator, coach and author Antony Whitaker joins Gordon for a year-end conversation about the state of the global salon industry in the age of Covid, including a discussion focused on the coming 'new normal'.  For more great business insights from Antony, check out Hb Conversations episodes #13 and #81.

In #6 of our 6-part series, supported by @randcobleu, Garren shares some of the lessons learned over the course of 50 years of making his mark on the worlds of fashion, celebrity, and style - plus his take on current day life in the era of Covid.   One of the most important hairdressers of the last 50 years, @garrennewyork has worked with a stellar roster of celebrities, models, fashion designers,...

Global Artistic and Business Director for @PaulMitchellPro, @RobertCromeans offers his thoughtful take on our quickly changing world and industry -- and how to best think about and meet the challenges ahead. From rethinking your relationship with clients to upping your game by re-crafting the salon experience, Robert offers his insightful take on stepping up in new ways during difficult times.

In Part 5 of our 6-part series, supported by @randcobleu, Garren takes us all on a tour of his work and life in the last decade (2010-2020). After 40 years of hairdressing, Garren finds himself perhaps more relevant than ever - in a decade that will see huge changes in the world's of fashion and publishing, as well as the rise of influencer One of the most important hairdressers of the last 50 yea...

Inspired by a childhood surrounded by salon pro's, Robert Ham's personal journey has taken him from 'small-town boy' to Moroccanoil Global VP of Education.  With digital education taking the industry by storm, Robert shares the story behind the newly launched NYC based Moroccanoil Academy and their pandemic inspired pivot from real-time education to a robust approach to online teaching and learnin...

In Part 4 of our 6-part series, supported by @randcobleu, Garren takes us all on a tour of his work and life in the first decade of the '2000's'.  From the tragedy of 9/11 -and its impact on his world and work- to the evolution of style and hair fashion and the growing impact of digital media, the new century was fraught with change.  One of the most important hairdressers of the last 50 years, @g...

Passionate independent professional @Greg_Gilmore shares his story and journey - from his early childhood interest in salon life to his move across the country (and the challenges he faced in doing so) to expand his career potential and possibilities. Today, Greg is a respected independent educator, celebrity stylist, working hairdresser, and colorist - with a deep passion for his profession.  "A...

In Part 3 of this 6-part series, supported by @randcobleu, Garren takes us back to the 1990s with a  tour through his world of hair, high fashion, celebrity, and more.  One of the most important hairdressers of the last 50 years, @garrennewyork has worked with a stellar roster of celebrities, models, fashion designers, photographers, makeup artists, AND hairdressers.  Be sure to visit our episode...

Self-described Texture Expert and Colorist, wife, mom, & owner of *A Curl Can Dream* 2-chair NYC salon suite Daryce ('Reese') Tolliver joins us for a deep conversion about the game-changing power of effective consultations and texture clients as her foundation for growth and success. We also dig into Reece's life and career story, her take on mentorship, & much more.

In Part 2 of our 6-part series, supported by @randcobleu, Garren takes us behind-the-scenes for a look back at the 1980's world of hair, high fashion, celebrity, editorial, and his own iconic career and life.  One of the most important hairdressers of the last 50 years, @garrennewyork has worked with a stellar roster of celebrities, models, fashion designers, photographers, makeup artists, AND hai...

Mahogany Plautz is an independent stylist and long time Paul Mitchell Educator. She joins us to talk about her passion and purpose - raising awareness and offering insights into the important topic of racial justice and its intersection with our industry, hair history & activism. We also discuss Mahogany's life as an independent stylist and educator plus tips on how to get ahead in these growing c...

One of the most important hairdressers of the last 50 years, @garrennewyork has worked with a stellar roster of celebrities, models, fashion designers, photographers, makeup artists, AND hairdressers.  In this 6-part series, supported by @randcobleu, Garren takes us behind-the-scenes into his world of high fashion, celebrity, editorial, and his own iconic career and life. Watch for new episodes we...

Oribe Hair Care General Manager Sid Katari leads global operations for the renowned brand. Involved in just about every aspect of the business (from finance and accounting to sales, marketing, and research and development), Sid brings a unique perspective to our conversation - as well as a clear passion for hairdressers and the larger professional salon community.

Independent Cutting Specialist and Educator Ben Ko (@hellobenjamin) joins us for a very real conversation about rethinking the business of haircutting in the midst of Covid-19 while remaining committed to excellence in the craft. As always, we dig into the story behind the career as well as talk about Ben's shift from long-time Sassoon cutter and educator in a commissioned salon to life as an inde...

@DysonHair Ambassadors @AnhCoTran & @MatthewStylist are both renowned celebrity stylists, educators, & artists. These two "road warriors" join us to discuss hairdresser life in the age of a pandemic - what's changing, what might remain changed, & the evolving role of technology in our lives & careers. We also dig into Dyson's unique role in revolutionizing the tool space for salon professionals.