The Hairdresser Strong Show

We spoke with Zach Zinober, Social Media Advisor at Crystal Hook Media , about what it really means to stop posting and hoping and start building a social media system that supports your brand. This Live turned into a full social media Q&A covering posting frequency, motivating staff to post, TikTok, rebuilding a brand, algorithm changes, reusing content, planning ahead, and making social medi...

🌿As beauty pros, we spend our days listening, creating, problem-solving, holding space, managing energy, and helping other people feel better. But without tools to regulate our own nervous system, it is easy to carry everyone else’s stress home with us. In this episode, Wafaya Abdallah , Owner of Oasis Curl Salon, mindful meditation teacher, and certified life coach, shares how mindfulness can he...

You can be busy all day and still feel like nothing is really growing. That is the part a lot of beauty pros feel, but do not always know how to name. In this episode, Mireya Villarreal , Founder of From Chair to Boss™ and Pink Pewter , breaks down why time management is not just about being organized, it is about understanding what your time is worth and using it to grow. She shares how restructu...

You do not need to be rich to start investing. But you do need a plan. In this episode, Nicole Carson, CFP® , MBA and founder of 2nd Story Wealth Planners, breaks down how beauty professionals can start building an investment plan around real-life factors like debt, uneven income, taxes, retirement goals, and fear of the market. She explains why investing is not only for wealthy people and how con...

In this episode, Jozlyn Miller , Manager of Education and Industry Expert at Boulevard , breaks down why retention may be one of the most profitable growth strategies beauty professionals are underusing. She shares how improving the client experience, rebooking conversations, service add-ons, memberships, and client education can help salons and spas increase revenue from existing clients. 🚨🎤 Jo...

In this episode, Shawna Murphy , Founder of Style Smart VA , breaks down one of the easiest ways beauty professionals lose money without realizing it: missed or unmanaged client communication. She explains how auditing your DMs, texts, emails, forms, and follow-ups can help you capture more inquiries, book more clients, increase repeat visits, and stop letting revenue slip through the cracks. 🚨🎤...

In this episode, Jannay McIver , Owner of Asili Hair Care Center , breaks down what salon owners need to have in place before scaling to multiple locations. From documenting every part of the client experience to knowing your numbers, trusting your team, and building systems that work without everything living in your head, this conversation is a practical look at what it really takes to grow a sa...

In this episode, Charles Riser Jr., Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Paul Mitchell Temple Academies in Annapolis and Frederick , breaks down the federal rule changes that could affect cosmetology schools, student funding, and access to beauty education. He explains why the wage metrics being used are flawed, how the data fails to reflect the real earning power of licensed professionals, and why the indust...

In this episode, Ash Fortis , owner of XO Hair Lab and Director of Education at Sharkfin Shears, breaks down what it actually takes to build and retain a strong salon team. From recruitment and assistant training to leadership, communication, boundaries, and retention, Ash shares how structure, support, and clear expectations create a salon culture where people can grow and stay. 🚨🎤Ash will be j...

In this episode, Ash Fortis , owner of XO Hair Lab and Director of Education at Sharkfin Shears, shares how health challenges, financial pressure, sweat equity, and major business setbacks shaped the leader she became. From navigating a team walkout during COVID to rebuilding stronger, Ash breaks down the hard side of heart-led leadership: protecting the culture, making difficult decisions, and cr...

In this HdS News update, we break down why clients are becoming more selective and how that’s showing up in your chair, your pricing conversations, and your bookings. From tighter spending to higher expectations, this episode explains what’s actually changing and what to do about it. Follow/subscribe to be the first to know when new episodes are released. Like what you hear? Leave us a review! Key...

In this episode, Scott J shares how a series of unexpected opportunities, relentless learning, and a willingness to say yes led him from a high school dropout to building a multi-location salon business and becoming President of Intercoiffure America Canada. He breaks down the realities of scaling, leadership, and why long-term success in this industry is built on education, community, and the wil...

In this episode, Jacquelyn Rodriguez shares how clean beauty went from a personal wake-up call to a more intentional way of running a salon. She walks through the challenges of shifting away from traditional products, the resistance and learning curve that comes with it, and why trying to be perfect often holds people back from starting. Instead, she makes the case for a more practical approach on...

Join us for Part 1 of our docuseries with Kimberly Christoph owner of Mane Street Georgetown , as she shares the real-time experience of opening a salon and navigating the realities of renovation, permits, and building out a space. With 22 years in the industry and 1 year into ownership, Kimberly breaks down the unexpected delays, design pivots, and decisions that come with turning a vision into a...

This week's episode breaks down what’s happening in the economy, how consumer behavior is shifting, and why it matters to you, the hairstylist/barber, owner, and hairpreneur. From inflation and spending patterns to tech, AI, and crypto, this is about understanding the environment you’re operating in and how to position yourself within it. Follow/subscribe to be the first to know when new episodes...

In this episode, Anna Manukyan , Certified Financial Educator and founder of Beauty Finance Group and Beautiful Wealth , breaks down why many hairdressers struggle to build long-term wealth even when they’re earning good money. She explains how mindset, habits, and financial literacy gaps keep people stuck and what it actually takes to change that. Follow/subscribe to be the first to know when new...

In this episode, Ashleigh Taylor of Taylor & York Salon reflects on her Signature Blowout Mastery class and the process behind teaching textured hair techniques while stepping into the role of educator. She explains how preparation, product knowledge, and intentional class design shape both the learning experience and the results behind the chair. Follow/subscribe to be the first to know when...

After being laid off from a graphic design job in the commercial real estate industry , Lesley Bryant pivoted into barbering and eventually built Lady Clipper Barber Shop in Washington, D.C. from the ground up. In this conversation, she shares how community relationships, relentless work ethic, and authentic connection helped turn a hallway-sized startup into a thriving neighborhood shop. Follow/s...

In this episode, Gerard Scarpaci , Co-Founder of Hairbrained , breaks down the Hairdresser Confidence Index and what the latest data reveals about job satisfaction, confidence, investment behavior, and why so many stylists describe their work with one word: overwhelmed. This conversation goes beyond surface metrics like retail and ticket averages to uncover what’s happening below the waterline — a...

💬 This isn’t just another podcast...we’re releasing our 01/06/26 Community Conversation from Instagram Live with Will Stamm , Entrepreneur, Master Barber, Educator, & Author. What does it really take to build a lasting career in the hair industry? In this Community Conversation, Will Stamm shares the mindset shifts that separate short-term wins from long-term careers behind the chair. From fi...

In this episode, Sam Lackney , hairdresser and owner of The Rare Bird , shares her journey from high school cosmetology to salon ownership, shaped by curiosity, community, and hard-earned perspective. She opens up about the lessons that come from learning the business side early, navigating uncertainty, and building a salon culture that prioritizes people, sustainability, and long-term growth. Thi...

In this episode, Yene Damtew shares her journey from early curiosity about hair to becoming the founder of Aesthetics Salon , and why education, fundamentals, and business awareness matter at every stage of a beauty career. This conversation is about longevity, ownership mindset, and building something sustainable beyond trends or titles. Follow/subscribe to be the first to know when new episodes...

In Part 2 of our real-time salon build docuseries, we return to Corte in Washington, D.C., now fully built and officially open. Gabby and Franky , two first-time salon owners in Washington, D.C., reflect on the months between construction and opening day, sharing hard-earned lessons on patience, budgeting, design compromises, team building, and what it actually feels like to step into ownership. T...

💬 This isn’t just another podcast...we’re releasing our 11/13/25 Community Conversation from Instagram Live with Adria Marshall , Founder + CEO of Ecoslay . In this Community Conversation, Adria Marshall, breaks down what clean beauty really means beyond marketing labels. She shares how to read ingredient lists, why scanning apps can mislead consumers, and how stylists can build trust by educatin...

Dasha Minina, CEO and founder of Licensify , BeautyAList , and Maxus Nails , shares how her journey into beauty exposed critical gaps in technology, licensing, and consumer trust. This episode explores what it really takes to build the infrastructure the beauty industry has long been missing and why modern systems matter for professionals and consumers alike. Follow/subscribe to be the first to kn...