The Scalp Solutions Podcast

In this episode, I discuss something most entrepreneurs and artists would never publicly admit: I didn't book a single client for the month of March. Does that mean I'm no longer successful? Does one slow month erase years of hard work, reputation, skill, and consistency? I share my thoughts on the unrealistic expectations created by social media, why so many artists feel pressured to appe...

In this episode of The Scalp Solutions Podcast , I share my full SMP Expo presentation, "The Sponsorship Blueprint." We break down what sponsorships really are, what brands are actually looking for, why influence matters more than followers, and how to turn your art into a brand companies want to invest in.  If you're an SMP artist, PMU artist, tattoo artist, or entrepreneur looking...

In this episode of The Scalp Solutions Podcast, David Santiago sits down with Naz, entrepreneur, conference host, and the new sole owner of Team Micro, for an important conversation about leadership, transition, and the future of the SMP industry. With over 11 years connected to the world of scalp micropigmentation, Naz opens up about taking full ownership of Team Micro, what that transition has l...

In Part 2 of the pay to play conversation, David Santiago brings on Sean McDonald, also known as Mr. Bye Bye Stretch Marks. With over 1,500 clients, 300 plus practitioners trained, and international speaking experience, Sean shares his perspective on PMU and SMP shows, what works, what doesn’t, and how to actually leverage these events. If you are serious about growing your business through shows,...

In this episode of The Scalp Solutions Podcast, I sit down with Joe Kintz, an artist with nearly 30 years of experience in traditional tattooing and owner of Whistler Street Tattoo in Sydney, Australia. Joe’s background goes far beyond SMP. He learned under his father and brother, served in the U.S. Navy as a bomb disposal technician, and even tattooed during deployment with SEAL Team 5. This is s...

In this episode, David Santiago addresses one of the biggest silent pressures in the PMU and SMP industry… the need to “look” successful. With social media showcasing luxury lifestyles, fully booked schedules, and six-figure claims, many artists find themselves comparing their real life to someone else’s highlight reel. But how much of that success is actually real… and how much of it is just perc...

In this episode, David Santiago breaks down the reality of PMU and SMP shows, events, awards, and the “pay-to-play” model that’s becoming more common in the industry. Are events just paid marketing platforms? Is that necessarily a bad thing? Or are artists confusing exposure with actual business growth? David shares his personal experiences with event organizers, speaking invitations that still re...

In this episode of The Scalp Solutions Podcast, David Santiago tackles one of the most uncomfortable topics in the SMP industry… botched repair work. As more artists enter the space with minimal foundation, more clients are walking around with oversaturated, uneven, and poorly healed scalp micropigmentation. And now they’re looking for someone to “fix it.” David breaks down the hard truth: adding...

In this follow-up episode of The Scalp Solutions Podcast , David Santiago sits down with James Viola, founder of Seven Figure SMP, to continue the conversation about marketing agencies and why so many artists get it wrong. The truth is, most SMP and PMU artists don’t fail with ads because marketing companies are scams. They fail because their foundation is broken. David and James break down what m...

In this episode, David Santiago pulls back the curtain on SMP and PMU artist sponsorships and breaks down what a real sponsorship actually looks like. He explains the difference between true brand partnerships and the “sponsorships” most artists are being offered today…discount codes, bulk pricing, and the right to say they’re sponsored for a little extra clout. David shares real conversations he’...

In this episode, David Santiago keeps it real about a topic most SMP and PMU artists rush into without truly understanding. Marketing agencies. Too many artists believe ads and lead generation will save their business, when in reality, marketing only amplifies what’s already there. And if the foundation is weak, the results will be too. David breaks down the real groundwork artists need to put in...

In this episode, David Santiago keeps it real about a topic most artists either don’t understand or choose to ignore. Scalp Micropigmentation is a tattoo. Not “kind of,” not “cosmetic,” not “medical.” A tattoo. David breaks down why the language you use when describing what you do matters more than you think, especially when dealing with your local health department and government. The wrong wordi...

In this episode of The Scalp Solutions Podcast, host David Santiago sits down with Victor Villarreal, one of the most talked-about and innovative SMP artists in the game. Known for his viral TikToks, bold marketing, and unapologetic confidence, Victor has mastered the art of attention—and turned it into serious business. We dive deep into how he’s leveraged social media to dominate the SMP space,...

In this episode, David Santiago sits down once again with James Viola, the Facebook Ads guru and founder of Seven Figure SMP, to break down how AI is rewriting the playbook for SMP and PMU artists. From generating viral creative ideas and visual hooks, to writing ad copy that actually converts, to re-engaging cold leads and closing more sales, James shares exactly how artists can start using AI ri...

In this episode of The Scalp Solutions Podcast , host David Santiago takes SMP artists on a step-by-step roadmap to go From Stuck to Unstoppable . If you’ve been certified but still feel lost, this is the episode that gives you the blueprint. David breaks down why most artists stall out, how to build real confidence through reps, and the exact marketing strategies that get clients in your chair, f...

In this episode of The Scalp Solutions Podcast , host David Santiago delivers a no-fluff, real-talk message to SMP artists who feel lost after completing their training. If you’ve got the certificate, maybe even set up your social media, but still lack confidence—this one’s for you. David breaks down why taking another fundamentals class won’t solve your problem, why confidence comes from reps (no...

This week on the Scalp Solutions Podcast , host David Santiago dives into one of the most controversial topics in the SMP industry — inks. From affordable to luxury pigments, David breaks down the truth behind price points, brand positioning, and what every artist needs to know about choosing the right ink for their business. He also shares his transparency on the issue of re-bottled pigments, exp...

In this episode of The Scalp Solutions Podcast , I’m joined by James Viola, the founder of Seven Figure SMP—one of the top growth agencies dedicated to helping SMP artists and clinics get fully booked without relying on word-of-mouth or social media hustle. With over 180 SMP clinics under his belt across the U.S., Canada, UK, and Australia, James has built a reputation for crafting ad strategies t...

In this episode of the Scalp Solutions Podcast, your host David Santiago pulls back the curtain on one of the biggest misconceptions in the SMP industry: the idea that a 2 or 3 day training is enough to fully prepare you to take clients. This is not a callout. This is a reality check. David shares his own journey after training, the doubts he faced, and the hard truth that no certificate alone wil...

In this episode of The Scalp Solutions Podcast , host David Santiago sits down with Ryan Roi — a former tattoo artist turned finance and marketing coach for creatives. As the founder of The Artful Dollar, Ryan is on a mission to help artists transform their relationship with money, stop playing small, and build real, sustainable freedom in their businesses. Ryan shares the raw truth about why so m...

In this episode of the Scalp Solutions Podcast , I sit down with one of the most talked-about rising talents in the scalp micropigmentation industry— Hayden Ayrton . Fresh off his win for Rising Star and nomination for Best Natural Hairline at the Meeting of Minds event, Hayden joins me to break down what it really takes to master the art of crafting natural, seamless hairlines. We dive into his s...

In this solo episode of The Scalp Solutions Podcast , host David Santiago gets real about the disconnect between the scalp micropigmentation world and the tattoo industry. Despite the undeniable fact that SMP is tattooing, many artists in the space go out of their way to distance themselves from the tattoo culture. David unpacks the myths, the egos, and the misplaced ideas of professionalism that...

In this episode of the Scalp Solutions Podcast , I’m joined by Tobias Romero — owner of Scalpro Denver and one of the most respected names in the industry when it comes to the hard hairline. With nearly a decade of experience and training under legends like Bryce Cleveland and Leah Matsch, Tobias has carved a bold path in SMP, earning accolades like “Best Hard Hairline” at Meeting of Minds NYC and...

In this episode of The Scalp Solutions Podcast, I’m joined by Ariel Rosado — a men’s luxury fashion expert, stylist, and creative curator who’s been helping men refine their look and boost their confidence for nearly a decade. With a background in jewelry design and marketing from the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, Ariel has styled everyone from everyday professionals to celebrity clients...

In this episode of the Scalp Solutions Podcast , host David Santiago sits down with Andrew Gill, CEO of Gill Payment Solutions and a powerhouse in the credit card processing world. While it might not sound like the flashiest topic, this conversation is packed with game-changing knowledge for scalp micropigmentation professionals who want to run smarter, smoother, and more profitable businesses. An...