How To Cut It in the Hairdressing Industry

In today's episode, I'm joined by Ashley Gamble. We'll be discussing how he went from being a stylist to achieving salon success with his wife Stephanie—and what it took for them both to get there! For the past 12 years, Ashley and Stephanie have been the owners of Ashley & Gamble, an award-winning salon in Shifnal, Shropshire UK. They have worked together for over 20 years, and their name is well...

Welcome to a special episode of the How To Cut It podcast. Today we are marking the sad passing of an extraordinary figure in the world of hairdressing, Trevor Sorbie MBE. Trevor Sorbie MBE, who was born in Paisley, Scotland in 1949 and rose to become one of the most influential hairdressers of all time. With unparalleled creativity and kindness, Trevor left an indelible mark on our industry. From...

In today's episode, I'm to bring you the inspiring journey of Craig Parkinson, a hairdresser who has carved out a successful career despite the ongoing challenge of a stammer. I first met Craig at an event I hosted in 2016. He was taking to the stage for the first time ever, presenting a look he had created. That's nothing special, you might say. But what made it memorable for me was that Craig ha...

Today in collaboration with Wella Professionals, I'm honoured to welcome to the podcast Charlie Taylor, three-time Scottish Hairdresser of the Year and British Hairdressing Hall of Fame icon. From her formative years with Trevor Sorbie to co-running renowned salons in Perth and Dundee with her husband Alastair, Charlie has consistently set the bar for hairdressing excellence, making her mark both...

In this episode, I have the privilege of chatting with Vivienne Blake—a name maybe not familiar to you but someone who came to my attention as a member of our How To Cut It Platform Community. Vivienne has not only carved a unique path in our industry as the owner of her boutique salon and an independent educator, but also launched her innovative product—See Me Aprons—all while balancing these rol...

In this week's episode, I'm sitting down with Sean Hanna—the visionary behind the leading salon group, Sean Hanna Salon Group. Sean is here to share with us his incredible story, from opening his first salon to building a successful salon empire. We delve into his journey, exploring the challenges he overcame and the pivotal moments that fuelled the growth of his business. We are to get a treasure...

Im thrilled to welcome back Wendy Tarplee-Morris, the co-founder, and Phil Brace, the CEO, of the Little Princess Trust, a charity that holds a special place in all our hearts. Wendy and Phil are two amazing people who have drive, compassion, and leadership. Since its inception by Wendy 20 years ago, the Little Princess Trust has provided over thousands of free, real-hair wigs to children and youn...

In this motivational episode of the How To Cut It podcast, we welcome back Alan Austin-Smith, the influential figure behind The Fantastic Hairdresser . Alan's teachings and coaching have transformed countless salon businesses and hairdressing careers worldwide. Known for his dynamic approach to merging passion with profitability, Alan brings a treasure trove of insights and actionable strategies t...

In this week's episode, I'm inviting the expertise of Sonia Magnier — a transformative holistic wellbeing coach for salon professionals. This conversation is crucial for anyone in the hair industry seeking to reprioritise their own wellbeing without sacrificing their passion for their work. Sonia Magnier, through her journey from salon ownership to coaching, divulges the critical need for energy m...

August is National Hair Loss Awareness Month, so for this episode we dive deep with Mark Blake — a globally recognised Harley Street trichologist advising celebrities, media & everyday people in the intricate world of hair loss and scalp care. In collaboration with Wella Professionals UKI and Nioxin, Mark will take us on an engaging conversation about differential diagnosis—how to pinpoint the roo...

Today, we're jumping in the time machine to revisit an epic episode from April 2017 with the legendary Lee Stafford. In this throwback, we uncover Lee's transformation from humble beginnings in his mother's living room to becoming an icon in hairdressing. "I've always believed that to be the best, you’ve got to learn from the best," Lee shares, revealing his passion for mentorship and the art of h...

Are you a hairdresser or barber with a passion for pushing the boundaries of your craft? Have you ever wondered what it takes to not just participate but shine in the competitive world of competition hairdressing? Yes then this is a podcast episode you don’t want to miss. Join me as I sit down with Dody Constantinou, a formidable force in the competition hairdressing circuit. Dody’s journey isn’t...

Join us for a long-awaited podcast with a true leading figurehead in British hairdressing, the brilliant Bruno Marc Giamattei. Renowned for his extensive industry accolades, mentoring  and leadership role in the family-founded Marc Antoni Group, Bruno is to share invaluable insights rooted in over three decades of industry experience. With a straightforward approach, Bruno says of himself,  "I'm a...

Today we're to be joined by Janene Hawkins Bush. who unravels the blueprint for cultivating thriving salon businesses through team ownership, and seizing every opportunity—without fear. Leading four award-winning salons along the Suffolk coast, Janene Hawkins Bush is committed to moulding the next generation of stylists and salon leaders. She mentors her team members, helping many to develop the s...

Today we're joined by Francesca Rivetti, an award-winning hairstylist who hails from the UK but has made her mark in America. Francesca's journey is inspiring. From her early days immersed in hair design to pioneering roles with Graham Webb International and winning major awards like the NAHA Editorial award, Francesca has shaped a career marked by creativity, innovation, and educational advanceme...

My absence from the podcasting waves over the last couple of weeks has been due to my bustling experience at the brand new HAIRCON event in Manchester's O2 Victoria Warehouse. In today's solo episode, I invite you to join me as I share an off-the-cuff episode, reflecting on the raw energy and my personal insights on taking the HTCI Platform stage to this groundbreaking day and night hair festival....

Are you a hairstylist looking to elevate your career and get your salon on the map? Then today's episode of the How To Cut It podcast is exactly what you need to tune into. Put on your headphones, turn up the volume, and stay locked in as we dive deep into the world of industry awards with a special focus on local recognition and why it matters more than you might think. We're joined by none other...

Today, it's just you and me - an open mic solo session where I dig deep into the enormous impact of taking time to reassess where you are in your life and career. Since kicking off in 2017, "How to Cut It" has grown into so much more than a podcast; it's become a community, a platform for education, and a spotlight for industry innovation. As we recently celebrated being named Industry Podcast of...

In the latest How To Cut It podcast, we're exploring hair loss and the transformative role hairdressers can play as Hair Loss Advisors with trichologist Tiffany Hall. With a career that evolved from a hair colourist at Vidal Sassoon to a trichologist, Tiffany has championed the integration of trichology into salon services, significantly impacting client care and confidence. Tiffany Hall discusses...

In today episode we're joined by Adam Thomas, the innovative founder behind salonspy. In our conversation we're to discover the critical role of client reviews in the salon industry and uncover why they are more than just feedback—they are the cornerstone for building trust and driving business growth. According to Qualtrics, 96% of consumers read a review before purchasing – with 86% of those con...

In this week's episode of the How To Cut It podcast, we talk with Joanne Doward about her journey to becoming a college lecturer in hairdressing education, and how she's using that experience to inspire others in college hair education. With over 30 years dedicated to aspiring the next generation of stylists at West Suffolk College, in this episode, we explore the vital role college education play...

In today's episode of the How to Cut It podcast, I dive into a conversation with Dylan McConnachie – 3 times finalist for the coveted British Hairdressing Awards 'Avant Garde Hairdresser of The Year' and former contestant of Channel 4's Big Blowout series. Dylan is to shed light on the significance of why it's important for him to find industry recognition, validation, and approval. I explore Dyla...

Join us on this week's episode of HTCI as we dive into the depths of Session Styling with Adam Garland. Adam is a renowned session stylist recognised for his innovative approach in the field of backstage hair styling education In our conversation, Adam is to lay bare his tumultuous path to success, marked by personal challenges, including overcoming drug addiction and navigating life with a disabi...

Today we kick off a new HTCI series titled "Meet The Brand". In this series, we get to explore the products, uncover the stories, delve into the vision, and discover everything in between to industry-leading and up & coming hair care brands. Get an exclusive look into what makes them unique and successful. First up in this series is Quif Hair. A colour brand who's mission is to develop a line of p...

In this episode of the How To Cut It podcast, we are joined by the incredibly talented Melissa Timperley, a rising star in the hairdressing industry. Melissa is the founder of the renowned Melissa Timperley Salons in Manchester's Northern Quarter and the brains behind MT Masterclass and the MT Masterclass App. As a multi award winning hairstylist, Melissa's extensive experience and passion for edu...