Hairbrained Conversations

Meet the "fantastic four" founders of @igkhair: @franckhair, @chasehair, @aarongreniahair and @leohairofficial. Together they have built a salon brand and product line that is redefining the next generation of pro beauty. With salon locations in NYC and Miami, they keep their finger on the pulse of creativity and funnel all they learn into an innovative range of products. Learn how they manage a c...

Humor with a down-to-earth attitude and top-notch hairdressing and educating skills—that's what @jacobhkhan is known for. In this episode, we dive deep with the @goldwellus Ambassador and his frequent co-creator and fellow craft hairdresser, Ben White. (Spoiler: Jacob makes a big announcement about the state of their friendship.) The pair talk about their backgrounds as well as the influences that...

You know when two of the industry's sharpest minds come together, it's going to be a good podcast! Robert Cromeans (@robertcromeans), Global Artistic and Business Director for  @paulmitchell, and Antony Whitaker, founder of @growmysalonbuisness, volley back and forth about marketing yourself as a hairdresser; whether the frequency of appointments will ever come back (and if there is anything we ca...

Episode #274: Greg and Joanne Starkman, Innersense Organic Beauty Founders Seasoned beauty pros and founders of @innersenseorganicbeauty Greg and Joanne Starkman share their deeply intertwined personal and brand story. After the birth of their special needs child, Morgan, the Starkmans realized how important it is to be aware of the chemicals we use every day as hairdressers. They set out on a mis...

We're kicking off 2023 with a very special guest: longtime Hairbrained friend, Reuben Carranza. One of the most successful and prolific C-suite leaders in pro beauty, Reuben is currently CEO for Amika and Eva NYC. In this episode, he shares the many lessons learned growing up with a hairdresser mom, as well as practical advice that hairdressers need to consider for the year ahead. On a personal no...

Erica Lee Moomey is a St. Louis-based master haircutter, session stylist and @lorealpro_education_us national educator. As stated in her online biography, Erica is "a force to be reckoned with"—and we wholeheartedly agree. She's not only a regular behind the scenes at New York Fashion Week, but she's also a three-time Midwest Hairstyling Awards Hairdresser of the Year winner. The story of her jour...

In the sixth and final episode of our @SalonCentric-supported series on building your business and career, Daniel Mason-Jones (@danielmasonjones) discusses how to have a long and successful career. Be sure to check out past episodes on goal setting; knowing and using your numbers to help set your prices and schedule in a way that supports your goals; the importance of great and consistent consulta...

A longtime friend of Hairbrained, Cory Couts' resume includes successful salon owner, renowned business coach, highly respected pro beauty executive, true innovator in the hairdressing industry's early days of digital and social media—and now SVP of Global Professional Sales for @olaplex. Cory helps connect the dots between the times we're in and, in that context, the longstanding practices that d...

London-based Brandon Messinger is an award-winning stylist, internationally published artist and educator, working #crafthairdresser and passionate perfectionist in his thinking about hair.  The @DenmanPro Ambassador shares the truly one-of-a-kind story behind his career and intense passion for the craft in a way that makes this one of our favorite episodes to date.  

In the fifth episode of our @SalonCentric-supported six-part series on building your business and career, Daniel Mason-Jones (@danielmasonjones) talks about how to have a success-oriented mindset.    Be sure to check out past episodes on goal setting; knowing and using your numbers to help set your prices and schedule in a way that supports your goals; the importance of great and consistent consul...

In this wide-ranging conversation, @redken icon and @saloncentric ambassador Sam Villa talks about today's salon experience; his evolving life priorities coming out of the pandemic; and the continued power of the hairdresser to transform lives—not just for their clients, but also for themselves.  

In the fourth episode of our @SalonCentric-supported six-part series on building your business and career, Daniel Mason-Jones (@danielmasonjones) talks about the importance of great and consistent consultations and the power behind product recommendations and retail.   In future episodes, we talk about how to have a success-oriented mindset; and what's the path to a long and successful career. Be...

@TheSimonEllis is a long-time #crafthhairdresser AND the International Creative Director of Schwarzkopf Professional. With over 40 years of industry experience, starting with two decades with the Vidal Sassoon organization, he is an absolute wealth of knowledge and wisdom. From my first introduction to Simon, I was taken by his great passion and intellect. His YouTube series, The Simon Ellis Maste...

Jessica Scott Santo is not only a Moroccanoil Global Color Ambassador and educator, but she's also a working salon owner and colorist—not to mention a mom to three "very active" boys. In this episode, she shares her unique perspective on building a great career (and life!); finding your own version of balance as your career evolves and grows; and of course why Moroccanoil is the perfect fit for Je...

In the third episode of our @SalonCentric-supported six-part series on building your business and career, Daniel Mason-Jones (@danielmasonjones) talks about the importance of setting your prices and schedule in a way that supports your goals.  In future episodes, we talk about the power of great consultations and retail recommendations; how to have a success-oriented mindset; and taking steps to e...

A celebrity stylist and L'Oréal Professional ambassador/educator, @DerickMonroe is best known for his five-time Emmy-nominated work as a longtime stylist for  The View  co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg and Sara Haines. Derick shares his unique professional journey from small-town working professional to  The View , some of the many important lessons learned along the way, and his thoughts on what it REALL...

In the second episode of our SalonCentric-supported six-part series on building your business and career, Daniel Mason-Jones (@danielmasonjones) talks about how and why paying attention to numbers can grow your business and career.    In future episodes, we talk about the importance of setting your prices and schedule; the power of great consultations and retail recommendations; how to have a succ...

In our inaugural episode of this SalonCentric-supported six-part series on building your business and career, Daniel Mason-Jones (@danielmasonjones) talks about the power of goal setting, providing a great blueprint for creating a plan to map out your career.    In future episodes, we talk about how and why paying attention to numbers can grow your business and career; the importance of setting yo...

Nikki Durbin (@kentucky.curls) is salon owner and working pro at Betties Hair Salon in Brandenburg, Kentucky – as well as an educator and texture specialist for @lanzahaircare. We love this frank, honest conversation with a working "small town" professional, who successfully graduated from commissioned stylist to salon owner and curl specialist serving a diverse client population. Nikki has since...

@PaulMitchellPro Artistic Directors Paula Peralta and Stephen Moody join us in a far ranging discussion around past and present hair trends, where our professional world is headed, and a conversation on how the evolution and reimagination of texture services can drive revenue. Both Paula and Stephen are returning guests, so for more please check out episode #137 with Paula on #BlackLivesMatter and...

An immigrant of Cuban descent, Leysa Carrillo traveled the world as a child prodigy in dance before discovering her passion for all things hair—and the potential of a life in the professional salon industry. Known throughout the industry as an early influencer and artist with a huge passion for both texture and hair color, today Leysa is a leading brand ambassador for both Redken and Mizani. She i...

Kelly Gorsuch (@kellygorsuch) is the highly respected, longtime owner of the Immortal Beloved salon in Richmond, VA, and more recently the Hell's Bottom Barbershops in Washington, DC and Richmond. Kelly is a believer in the big idea of salons and barbershops as metaphorical villages – places of work where we help each other learn and grow, have fun and, perhaps most importantly, help one another s...

Educator, creative colorist and celebrity stylist @Greg_Gilmore specializes in what he calls "Real Hair." A Global Color Ambassador for the all-new Moroccanoil color line, Greg has led an inspired professional journey that just keeps getting better. The now globe-trotting professional shares many of the lessons learned over the course of his career as well as his passion for the craft, education a...

Known throughout the industry as a color correction guru and educator, Cassandra McGlaughlin is back on the podcast, this time to discuss the evolution and ongoing importance of retail—a subject which she and Gordon share a passion for. The Redken brand ambassador, salon owner and coach talks about the many proof points around the power of offering clients at-home haircare solutions with pro produ...

A hair service would be nothing without words. Every appointment begins and ends by talking to our clients, and we refine each service through communication. Celebrity stylist Derick Monroe and @lorealpro Assistant Vice President/Development of Education Mezei Jefferson join Gordon to discuss this power of language—especially as it relates to important conversations around texture and, more specif...