Hairbrained Conversations

Imagine that pre-Covid, you had 6 months of pay in savings, low to no credit card debt, and a clear understanding of your personal and professional finances. How might your reaction to the pandemic been different? Our hope in sharing this conversation is to help you to: (1) Be inspired to rethink your 'relationship' with money, (2) Open yourself to a mindset of financial success and well-being;  (...

Renowned Session Stylist and Oribe Global Brand Ambassador James Pecis is a leader in the world of editorial and runway hair around the world. He is also intimately involved in Oribe product development, education, editorial shoots, and fashion events.  James shares his thoughts on dealing with change in the face of a pandemic, advice for those looking to follow in his footsteps into session work,...

Linh Phan and Cynthia Lumzy have close to 800k Instagram followers - but more importantly, have developed reputations as respected educators & artists who have a LOT more to offer than simply 'influence'.  The two have come together to create an educational initiative around color and texture called "Congregate & Create".  We talk about their 'why' behind this important idea - as well as dig into...

The newest member of the renowned @Randco Collective, Richy Kandasamy (@richykanda) is a renowned colorist and respected international educator. A native of the tropical Seychelles Islands, Richy has a uniquely global point of view when it comes to fashion, hair color, and trends.  Listen in to a conversation that touches on everything from color consultations in the era of Covid-19 to R+Co's uniq...

Multiple NAHA winner @MichelleOConnorBeauty is known throughout the industry for her work as both Artistic Director with Matrix Professional and Creative Director for SALON BY INSTYLE inside JCP.  In a deep conversation that covers everything from shifting from her early passion and commitment to dance to evolving into a successful and varied career in hairdressing, Michelle shares her personal in...

@Oribepro ambassador @StaceyCiceron joins Gordon for a deep conversation on life & work in the midst of Covid-19, reflections on the Black Lives Matter movement, race & America (and the salon industry), the powers of mentorship and role models, and her work with and love of Oribe.

Returning guest @RuthRoche, the 5 times NAHA winner and renowned global educator on coping in a faster-than-ever changing world (and professional beauty industry), hairdressing education in the new normal and much more. Be sure to check out our Episode #17 for more on this iconic @redken artist's life and career story.

PBA's Executive Director Steve Sleeper walks us through the many programs and initiatives provided by the industry's largest professional association (@probeautyassoc) - at a time when we need their support more than ever. From ISSE, NAHA and Beacon to Covid-19 related grants and other charitable programs - plus the longstanding work promoting meaningful legislation and regulation for the industry...

Salon owner, award-winning colorist, and L'ANZA Global Color Director Leah Freeman joins Gordon for a freewheeling, inspired conversation.  From her challenges as a young learner with Dyslexia and early days behind the chair to her journey to becoming a successful salon owner and renowned educator with L'ANZA, Leah shares the story behind her 20+ year career as well as lessons learned along the wa...

Cherry Petenbrink (@hairbycherryp) is a renowned celebrity stylist, colorist, platform artist, educator & Artistic Director for Olivia Garden International. Perhaps best known for her work on The Hunger Games series (making her a trailblazer in the 'fashion color' trend we all know so well), Cherry shares her experiences as a long time working professional, former salon owner and colorist to the '...

Owner of one of the leading @Aveda concept salons in the world, @VanCouncil joins Gordon to talk about pandemic related lessons learned from the re-opening of his renowned Van Michael Salons in Atlanta, Georgia.  Among the 1st salons to reopen in the USA following the widespread Covid-19 related shutdowns, Van talks about the practical aspects of his reopening strategy and related experience plus...

@TabathaCoffey joins Gordon to talk MONEY(yours!) and offer her thoughts on why it's more important than ever to have a personal plan to make the most of yours. Whether planning proactively for unexpected emergencies, buying your first house (or salon) or retirement, how we think about money matters -  and Tabatha gives us lots to think about in this episode. Tremendous thanks to @SalonCentric for...

NYC based salon owner, consultant, and educator @LoreanCairns shares her thoughts and experiences around her reopening salons across multiple states in the face of a global pandemic. The author of Culture Fox: How to Cultivate a Lasting Culture walks us through key strategies and tactics in facing the near term of reopening - as well as thoughts on the longer term, quickly approaching 'new normal'...

Owner of the iconic Manhattan-based salon group, a longtime L'Oreal Professionnel Color salon,  Frédéric Fekkai joins Gordon to discuss salons adjusting to the coming 'new normal' (given Covid-19), the power of great branding, becoming a salon owner, finding the right partnerships and more.  One of the most recognized Celebrity Stylists of all time, @fekkai also gives his take on the changing soci...

Sam Villa on the evolving salon experience and how professionals can proactively adapt to our fast-changing world. Thanks to SalonCentric for bringing the co-founder of SamVilla.com, @Redken Global Artistic Ambassador, and @SalonCentric to our ongoing, important conversation related to salons re-opening in the face of coronavirus. 

Salon owner, #crafthairdresser, and educator @BeauBollinger joins us for a conversation sharing the story behind his successful career, his outspoken and proactive attitudes towards the coronavirus' impact on the salon industry -as well as sharing thoughts on how to create a great career in the salon. 

Salons across the world are rethinking how to best serve clients - while keeping them safe, healthy, AND happy.  R+Co President Dan Langer has long been passionate about creating unique and memorable experiences - and inspiring professionals to do the same in the salon.  In the face of coronavirus, Dan offers great insights and advice on how to up your game in every aspect of the business - and to...

@TippiShorter shares unique insights into her life as a successful celebrity hairstylist, renowned texture expert, respected educator and so much more. The Global Artistic Director for Mizani has spent decades helping to lead the way in proactively changing attitudes in the professional salon industry around the big ideas of texture and race.  From the impact of Covid-19 and the #BlackLivesMatter...

SalonCentric ambassador, #ittakesapro artist, and corrective color "ninja" Cassandra McGlaughlin shares insights and projections related to hair color services in a post Covid-19 world.  With hair color driving the majority of service dollars in salons today, the evolution of client attitudes towards time in the salon will likely play a critical role in color service trends, as well as salon finan...

@TIGIprofessionals Americas Creative Director & VP of Education Thomas Osborn joins Gordon to share his take on our changing world (and what trends might remain with us post 'reopening'), share the unique story behind his professional career as one of the industry's leading educators, and give us some insights into the future of TIGI and education.

SalonCentric ambassador and renowned influencer @ShelleyGregoryHair shares her insights into life as an independent working hairdresser as we all work our way through salon re-openings following the Coronavirus related nationwide shutdown. An #ittakesapro artist, Shelley shares her approach to client communication, rethinking day-to-day life in the salon, home hair color kits, pricing, and much mo...

Self-described "LA Curly Hairstylist", educator and Paul Mitchell Ambassador Paula Peralta joins Gordon to discuss #blacklivesmatter, including her personal and professional experiences as a black woman and hairdresser.  Paula also shares insights into how we can respond as professionals to the growing calls for racial justice in America and a more inclusive professional beauty industry.  

One of the industry's most respected business educators and coaches, Daniel Mason-Jones shares his experience and perspective on successfully re-opening his salon following the coronavirus related shut down of salons nationally.  The SalonCentric ambassador and #ittakesapro artist shares his blueprint for re-opening - including effective client communication, teamwork, changes to scheduling and se...

Colin Caruso is a renowned educator, working colorist, owner of Salon CARU, and John Paul Mitchell Systems' Director of Color.  In this episode, we discuss thoughts on the coming post Coronavirus 'new normal' - and how salons and professionals can best succeed going forward.  We also take a deep dive into Paul Mitchell's newly launched Social Gathering digital resource center and communal platform...

Wella Professionals' North American Education Director Stephen Moody is one of the industry's most recognized and respected educators. Stephen shares his observations related to possible coming trends as the world begins to consider a new sort of normal in day-to-day life.... and in day to day beauty for the consumer.  We also discuss Stephen's thoughts on how to come back stronger than ever behin...