word. with Gordon Miller

What happens when context is incomplete or missing? Gordon expands on Episode 2 to dig deeper into what he sees as a profoundly important topic, this time including industry-specific examples to consider. The bottom line: "Understanding context may be the most underrated professional skill in your proverbial toolbox.

What happens when context is missing? Gordon explores how context shapes meaning—and why misunderstandings often happen when pieces of the story are missing. In an industry built on communication, understanding context may be one of the most important skills we have."

word. with Gordon Miller. Each episode begins with a word — but it never ends there. Gordon explores the ideas, language, and narratives shaping the professional salon industry. Because, simply put, the words we choose… shape everything we do.

This week marks the end of one pod and the birth of another! Thanks to all who have listened in for 135 episodes of this title -and be sure to come back January 7th for Episode 1 of my all-new BUZZ by Gordon podcast. In the meantime, hit play for my year-end talk about data-driven insights and business trends relative to salons. Wishing all a wonderful holiday season and an amazing start to anothe...

A quick episode offering some context on the uncertain times we find ourselves in. Reading the consumer press, it's hard not to be concerned about the direction of our larger US economy. And although we are not (yet) officially in a recession, being aware so that we can best react (proactively, ideally) and plan is the best place for most of us to start. *Note: this episode was published origi...

I'm excited to welcome back @growmysalonbusiness founder Antony Whitaker to discuss the state of the industry during what I consider to be 'fuzzy' economic times, the importance(and power)of investing in yourself to solve business and career challenges, and much more (all related to the business side of creating long-term success). Note: Be sure to check out one of my favorite industry...

As 2025 begins to quickly wind down, i take a look at texts i've sent myself over the last month or so - all connected to what i view as important ideas and trends that impact us all. Note to my regular listeners: 2026 is bringing changes to this podcast—a new name, direction, and focus. Stay tuned for more on that!

Debra Neill Baker is CEO of the Neill Education company, an iconic organization with an 80-year history of innovating in the categories of distribution, salons, schools, manufacturers, salon software & events. We talk about the power of curation when connected to vision and values - as part of a deep conversation about Serious Business 2026.

In the final episode of my series on salon tech, Paul Tate, a leading figure in pro salon tech, digs into the value of data to brands, salons, and pros. Paul shares a sampling of findings from the KIM report, an industrywide project spearheaded by Salon Interactive. The KIM report partners with POS, booking and payment processing platforms to aggregate data to provide meaningful “Key Industry Metr...

When “certain coaches/podcasters" call brands "parasites", I have to fire back with truth and experience based logic. In this episode, I break down the danger of 'BS', share why affiliate links aren’t the future, how real profit are only enhanced by smart retail, and why partnership—not paranoia—built careers and salons. My take: this is a must-listen reality check for pro, bus...

This week, Gordon's goes solo with his take on highlights from our last 10 episodes featuring leaders in the salon tech space, as well as sharing his thoughts on how tech is re-shaping the salon — and what comes next.

Kimi Bennett, co-founder and CEO of Sole Business Solutions, the pro beauty industry’s first 24/7 AI-powered coaching platform, is a longtime working professional and suite owner turned tech entrepreneur. Kimi joins Gordon to share the inspiration behind her groundbreaking work with co-founder and COO Michael Sandoval, a long-time salon coach, in launching the platform.  Long a champion for educat...

Sudheer Koneru. a former Microsoft Engineer and successful tech entrepeneur, is the founder and CEO of Zenoti, an AI powered, platform of salon management, marketing and customer care tools focused on helping salons to grow. Sudheer joins Gordon to share his journey from tech into the wellness space and back to tech again– but this time creating tech that is firmly focused on solving challenges fa...

Vish’s Chief Innovation Officer Tim Howard joins Gordon to dive into the story behind the creation of the innovative and powerful salon color management software platform. Designed to transform how salons think about and approach hair color usage, Tim shares how Vish came to life, why waste reduction matters, and how better management of color inventory through technology can not only save time fo...

SalonInteractive's Alain Audet joins Gordon to discuss their latest initiative focused on the power of data to empower brands, distributors, and professionals alike. A groundbreaking e-commerce platform, SalonInteractive was created to allow salons to compete with Amazon more effectively. Today, SalonInteractive has evolved into a marketing and data collection platform that leverages the power...

Gordon shares highlights from his recent AI sessions at the Moroccanoil Collective, exploring why tech can’t be ignored, how it fuels efficiency and profitability, and why the professionals who embrace it will be the ones who thrive.

Join Gordon for a rapid-fire mix of insights on the biggest challenges facing many salon pros today. From social media shifts and smart pricing strategies to retail realities, AI-driven communication, and the power of data, this episode serves up an honest take to help you navigate what’s challenging salons across the industry.

Welcome to the premiere episode of Salon Tech Talks, a 10-part series featuring conversations with innovators and leaders in the pro beauty tech space. In this kickoff episode, Gordon is joined by longtime industry tech strategist and advisor Paul Tate. Together, they explore how salon technology has evolved over the last 20 years — and why, despite major advancements, many pros still feel overwhe...

Tech Talks is a 10-part series featuring conversations with leading innovators in the pro salon tech space. In this episode, Gordon is joined by Universe Walker, Founder of BeautyDeskAI. When she realized that unanswered calls to her salon were 'leaving a lot of money on the table, Universe put together a tech-savvy team to help build an "AI-powered system designed to handle client phone c...

Tech Talks is a 10-part series featuring conversations with leading innovators in the pro salon tech space. In this episode, Gordon is joined by Fred Helou, Founder and CEO of Vagaro. A software engineer with an entrepreneurial spirit, Fred founded Vagaro to solve problems and support small business owners in the pro beauty space. Today, he oversees one of the industry’s leading digital platforms...

Salon Tech Talks is a 10-part series featuring conversations with innovators in the pro salon tech space. In this episode, Gordon is joined by Ameet Kallarackal, Glammatic.com Co-Founder & CEO. A digital marketer at heart, Ameet has a passion for inspiring salon owners and pros to use leading-edge tools and related strategies to transform their businesses and careers. Ameet shares his consider...

Salon Tech Talks is my 10-part series featuring conversations with innovators in the pro salon tech space. In this episode, Gordon is joined by Phorest Salon Software’s Chief Product Officer, Paddy Monaghan. With a clear passion for professional salon and spas, Paddy brings a unique perspective on how to leverage the growing power of technology to support the aspirations of business owners and the...

Welcome to Salon Tech Talks, a 10-part series featuring conversations with innovators and leaders in the pro beauty tech space. In this episode, Gordon is joined by Meevo/Millennium Systems founder and chairman John Harms. At the age of just 16, John founded Millennium Systems (known today as Meevo), working part-time for the salon his hairdresser sister called home. Over the course of the last 37...

Welcome to the premiere episode of Salon Tech Talks, a 10-part series featuring conversations with innovators and leaders in the pro beauty tech space. In this kickoff episode, Gordon is joined by longtime industry tech strategist and advisor Paul Tate. Together, they explore how salon technology has evolved over the last 20 years — and why, despite major advancements, many pros still feel overwhe...

My first recording of the new year is about looking forward - and sharing my thoughts on where technology could be taking our industry. I also check in with Chat GPT to get an AI 'perspective' on where robotics (and related technologies) could take salons and professionals over the next 20 years. Importantly, our larger world of consumers does not have a great history of considering the ne...