Hairbrained Conversations

Sam Villa is Global Artistic Ambassador for Redken, co-founder of Sam Villa Professional, NAHA Lifetime Achievement Award Winner  – and one of the industry's most renowned educators and iconic artists. In this episode, Sam shares not only his story but also his passion for helping professionals and salons to grow their success.

@AvedaArtists and Color Squad member Sarah Sibley is co-owner of Dallas-Ft Worth's Lavender Square Salon and a rising star in the world of Aveda salons and spas. Sarah talks about the power of mentorship, the attributes and benefits of the right business partner, becoming an educator, and how being a mom helped her shift her career priorities in a way that actually helped her charge her worth.

Welcome to our weekly REPLAY episode where we re-share some of our most popular episodes:  "Media star, best selling author, former salon owner, Matrix Global Business Ambassador and, most importantly, passionate hairdresser (!) Tabatha Coffey talks about the ongoing evolution of her career and the many valuable lessons learned along the way."

Editorial hairstylist, renowned educator, and Amika  Naeemah LaFond joins Gordon for a far-ranging conversation that delves into her fascinating career and life's journey, including her deep love of fashion and its connection to hair, as well as the story behind her role at the uber-cool Amika. Naeemah also reflects on the impact made by her viral #blacklivesmatter-inspired "Brand's Guide For Hiri...

@HeggyGonzalez is not only a NAHA-winning #crafthairdresser and Aveda Artist who has inspired many with her artistry and passion, but she's also a serious fashionista and designer. With a deep love for her profession and the transformative power of hairdressing, Heggy shares the story behind her journey from beauty school to the winners' podium at NAHA as well as the iconic Aveda Congress Main Sta...

Paul Mitchell Editorial Director @NoogieThai is a renowned platform artist and master educator, known not only for his passion and mad skills in hairstyling and design, but also for his winning personality, sense of humor and—simply put—joyful presence. Noogie shares his life's journey, from the early struggles he and his family faced as immigrants to becoming a globe-trotting member of the iconic...

Few segments of the professional salon industry will likely be as impacted long term by the pandemic than education. From how schools teach (and students learn) to the ways in which professionals choose to engage with education, CHANGE is the operative word these days in pro beauty education. Longtime leaders in the global education space, Joakim Roos and Yolly ten Koppel have spent decades travel...

SalonCentric #ItTakesAProTeam artists Christopher Aaron and Daniel Mason-Jones join Gordon to share their personal and professional experiences as members of the LGBTQ+ community, and what it all means for our larger industry. We get up close and personal with Daniel and Christopher to discuss "growing up gay;" what Pride means to them personally; the power of inclusivity, empathy and representati...

@Bumbleandbumble Global Fashion Director Laurent Philippon, one of the world's leading session stylists, has worked with many of the top names, brands and creatives in the worlds of fashion, celebrity and media. Laurent discusses lessons learned during his early days assisting the legendary stylist Alexandre de Paris, as well as working with icons Julien d'Ys, Orlando Pita, and Sam McKnight. The a...

Olaplex national trainer and "on-air spokesperson" Danielle Frank hosts the popular Beauty Uncovered podcast, the latest role in the evolution of a long career that began behind the chair. We discuss her journey to and through the industry, starting as an assistant at the iconic Maximus Salon and Spa, owned by Richard Calcasola. Fast forward to today and Danielle represents one of the fastest-grow...

Moroccanoil Co-Founder Carmen Tal shares the story behind her love of fashion and beauty, and how that led to her opening a small Montreal-based salon in partnership with her hairdresser. This was followed soon after by the discovery of a little-known product that would one day revolutionize the salon industry: Moroccanoil. We discuss the ideas behind the brand, its storied launch and history, Mor...

Heather Chapman is a leading educator, artist, influencer and Hairbrained community member. An early adapter to social media and the world of influencers, Heather has evolved her business strategy to adjust to the ever-changing times. Despite having over 685,000 followers on her Instagram page @HeatherChapmanHair, she thoughtfully chose to refocus the majority of her social media efforts onto TikT...

@Oribepro co-founder and president Daniel Kaner is joined by co-owner of Goldwaves Salon and business coach Leslie Rice to discuss the important topic of leadership - what it looks like, why it matters and how we can all best step up to lead in challenging times. This is an important and wide-ranging conversation that comes at a perfect time for salon owners and managers, professionals, and studen...

Returning guest and LP General Manager Emilie Poisson leads one of the industry's most iconic haircare brands—and as such, she has a unique vantage point from which to view industry trends as they relate to both professionals and consumers. Listen in to another great conversation where we discuss the evolution of salons as we head toward a post-pandemic "new normal;" the growing importance of salo...

@HannahRuthHair is Creative Director for Atlanta's iconic Van Michael Salons, a haircutting specialist, educator, @AvedaArtist....and "bee activist". Hannah shares her positive perspective on change coming out of the pandemic, the story behind her deeply felt passion for the Aveda brand, the importance and power of connecting with your fellow professionals, making a difference in our industry and...

While @DavidThurstonOfficial is a renowned entrepreneur, educator, salon owner and disrupter, he's best known for being the Founder and CEO of Pulp Riot Hair. David joins Gordon to discuss the recent announcement of his retirement from Pulp Riot (effective June 1, 2021), what it means personally and professionally, lessons learned as a brand founder and CEO, where the industry is headed post-Covid...

Patricia Nicole (@paintedhair) is known by her 1 million followers as the creator of high contrast hair painting. The @wellahair Global Ambassador has built a worldwide reputation not only as an IG content creator, but also as a highly respected educator—both IRL and by way of her digital academy—and as an artist and successful working professional. In this episode, Patricia shares how early her p...

For more than 35 years, Sue Remes has worked with some of the most important brands in pro and mass beauty—including her current work with @IntelligentBeautyGlobal (formerly Intelligent Nutrients). Known as an expert in consumer behavior with a deep understanding of how people move through their purchasing process, Sue consults with brands in developing their strategic direction in the areas of sa...

One of the most significant challenges the industry faced during the pandemic was having access to all of the many resources required to properly service (even a reduced capacity) clientele.  SalonCentric president Bertrand Fontaine shares how this mega distributor organization pivoted to best serve the hundreds of thousands of professionals that count on them every day.  We also discuss Bertrand'...

Coming to prominence over the last decade as @theConfessionsofaHairstylist, Jenny Strebe shares the story behind the 2020 launch of her Aiir Haircare brand. We talk about all of the many trials, tribulations, AND learnings leading up to launch  - just days before the pandemic lockdowns began. We also discuss the story leading up to a critical distribution agreement with @SalonCentric. Another grea...

@MarkBustos is known throughout the industry as a humanitarian, #crafthairdresser, and entrepreneur.  Given the well-documented and unprecedented rise of anti-Asian hate and violence during the pandemic, Mark is speaking out on behalf of his community.  By sharing his own life experience as an Asian-American who has been the target of racism throughout much of his life, Mark hopes to bring awarene...

It's rare to meet the president of a global beauty brand who began their professional life actually working from the ground up, starting off a career visiting salons every day as a sales consultant- and from there, falling in love with the industry as part of a  journey that lands them at the helm of one of the most iconic brand names in beauty - Aveda.  Barbara De Laere is one of those rare indiv...

* Senior Director of Brand Education, Artists & Events for the Wella Company Carol Protat joins Gordon to talk about the future of education and events in the pro beauty space as well as her best advice on what it takes to be a great educator - and learner in the coming new normal.

@paulmitchellpro's Valerie George (@cosmetic_chemist) is a scientist, popular podcaster & PM YouTuber (#triplethreat) who has the unique ability to make science interesting, understandable & ….FUN! Responsible for leading one of the most important R&D teams in the professional salon industry globally, Valerie shares not only her story but a look behind the 'obvious' in hair & skin, digging down a...

Global @Redken Ambassador and award-winning Australian session stylist Richard Kavanagh returns to the podcast to talk about building/re-building your clientele efficiently and quickly as we move through the pandemic and towards a new normal of sorts. As always, Richard is a wealth of knowledge and experience - and once again delivers some highly useful and impactful teachings.  Go to Episode 87 t...