How To Cut It in the Hairdressing Industry

Latest Episodes:

Matrix haircare and hair colour — **EP258: Building a Social Media Presence & Online Hair Community with Simon Townley** Oct 10, 2022
Show notes
Today we launch the first of a brand new four part podcast series brought to you by leading professional haircare and hair colour brand, MATRIX. In this collaborative series we are inviting on to the show some of their ambassadors to share their industry expertise, knowledge and experiences to help you evolve your hairdressing careers.
To Kick-off the series I’ve the pleasure to once again be chatting to Simon Townley. As a Matrix & Biolage Ambassador and Creator of online hair community, Hairsocials, its fair to say Simon’s hair industry career is going from strength-to-strength.

I last spoke to Simon back in Episode 164, My Ability is Stronger Than My Disability. There we learned about how he overcome many hurdles to get to where he is today.

Simon is proof that you can make your industry dreams come true no matter where you are based. So how has he done all of this?

He’ll be sharing how using social media has helped him to grow his hair industry profile extraordinarily. This includes his top tips and hacks on what he has used. I know these will be great for you and your business social media strategy. Theres also some great stuff in this including, why you need to show your real personality on social media. *And* be sure to to stick around to find out more on the launch of brand new hair talent team from Matrix. It’s something you’ll be excited on entering.

You will leave this podcast full of social media ideas to help grow you and your business. Whilst also learning on the importance of belonging to a global community of hairdressing professionals. To feel connected, share ideas and learn are just some of the key factors on why they are so important to be part of. Something that Matrix and Simon are equally aligned on. Listen in to learn why.

*A podcast produced by How To Cut It Podcasts*

**Thanks for Listening**

Todays podcast is in collaboration with Matrix.

**To share your thoughts:**

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Thank you to Simon Townley for joining me on todays podcast.

Until next Monday, Peace, Love and Smiles all the way… Goodbye.

EP257: Grow Your Colour Business Using the Signature Naturals Trends with Jordanna Cobella Oct 06, 2022

Show notes

Statistics show that 42.9% of women are colouring their hair vs 52% in March 2018. And did you know that one of the main reasons why people stop colouring their hair is that they want a more natural appearance and feel that colouring involves too much maintenance. But Fear not, where there is a threat to our colour business comes new opportunities.

This episode in collaboration with Wella Professionals UK and Ireland, I’m joined by their Colour Craft Expert, Jordanna Cobella. It’s essential listening to understanding the colour trends emerging, and how using the Wella “SIGNATURE NATURALS’ COLLECTION OF shades will empower you to meet these trends and how it will help you to grow your colour business in these changing times.

Jordanna and I kickoff the conversation learning about the colours that supports ‘SIGNATURE NATURALS’ and what she loves most about them. We also go on to talk about the services and techniques she and her team uses in her London based salon business, Cobella. Theres some pretty cool tips and tricks Jordanna shares with us here on the shades and formulas using Kolestone Perfect and the new Shinefinity shades.

Jordanna even shares some top tips for effective communication with clients around trends, colours, managing expectations and how to incorporate this into your client consultations.

Working with Koleston Perfect and Shinefinity the ‘SIGNATURE NATURALS’ collection allows you the hairdresser to provide the client with a natural result, but also adds an element of interest to drive frequency and grow your colour business. Listen in to this episode to find out more!

A podcast produced by How To Cut It Podcasts

Thanks for Listening

Todays podcast is brought to you by

To share your thoughts:

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Thank you to Jordanna Cobella for joining me on todays podcast.

Until next Monday, Peace, Love and Smiles all the way… Goodbye.

Great Lengths Hair Extensions — **EP256: Little Princess Trust & Great Lengths – A Perfect Partnership!** Sep 26, 2022
Show notes
Little Princess Trust is a charity that provides free natural hair wigs to children and young people, up to 24 years old, who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or other conditions.
In the first of our collaborative podcast series with Great Lengths UK, we’re going to be learning about the incredible work that the Little Princess Trust is doing. Plus we get to hear how they have a perfect partnership with Great Lengths that’s making a huge difference in helping to meet the demand of supplying free natural hair wigs to children and young people.

Joining me for this conversation is Wendy Tarplee-Morris, Director of Service and Impact and Phil Brace, Chief Executive Officer at The Little Princess Trust, along with James Henderson, Salon owner of M Hair Nottingham & Great Lengths Charity Ambassador.

Our conversation starts at what the Little Princess Trust is all about, and how it was established after the tragic loss to Wendy’s 5 year old daughter to cancer in 2005. We then go all the way through to how James introduced the Great Lengths donations scheme that provides its pre-used hair extensions to the Little Princess Trust through it’s 1,500 Great Lengths salons across the UK and Ireland.

There is no underestimating the importance of what this perfect partnership between the Little Princess Trust and Great Lengths is doing. *AND* why, we as an industry, can play a massive part too in not only helping to provide free natural wigs to children and young people, but to also reduces waste by finding a new use for the hair.

This podcast could not come at a better time. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month that’s all about increasing the awareness and helping to raising funds for those affected by childhood cancer. Tune in, this really is all about Hair & Hope!

**Thanks for Listening**

Todays podcast is brought to you by Great Lengths

*A podcast produced by Hairy Media Productions for How To Cut It Podcasts*

**To share your thoughts:**

Leave a note in the comment section below.
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Thank you to Wendy Tarplee-Morris, Phil Brace and James Henderson for joining me on todays podcast.

Until next Monday, Peace, Love and Smiles all the way… Goodbye.

EP255: ‘SIGNATURE NATURALS’ – Behind the Collection Shoot with Robert Eaton Sep 20, 2022

Show notes

I love getting behind the ideas, planning and inspirations to a collection shoot. Thats why I’m excited to be bringing back on to the podcast British Hairdresser of the Year 2019 & 2022, Robert Eaton to share all of this and more.

Today Robert is going to take us behind the latest Wella Professionals ‘Signature Naturals’ Collection Shoot. He’ll be revealing why this is a collection of colours that meets the trends shift of people that are now wanting a more natural appearance.

As the UK and Irelands Technical Director for Wella Professionals, Robert worked with the Wella team in creating the ‘Signature Naturals’ collection.

With the penetration of colour services in decline comes new opportunities. Retention of clients through technique and colour placements with services that will demonstrate hairdressers skillset for grey coverage AND natural results. Welcome to the ‘Signature Naturals’ collection.

In our conversation we get to hear tons of exclusive stuff from Robert. Stuff like the inspirations behind each of the looks and the Koleston Perfect and Shinefinity colour shades used. Plus how it works with natural shades as an overall application that also includes placement of bespoke and interesting shades to create a signature result for the client.

A collection of shades, looks & techniques, ‘Signature Naturals’ empowers the Hair Artists to transform every women’s hair from their ordinary colour to the signature natural they can own.

A podcast produced by How To Cut It Podcasts

Thanks for Listening

Todays podcast is brought to you by

To share your thoughts:

Leave a note in the comment section below.
Ask a question by emailing me HERE
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To help out the show:

Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one.
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Thank you to Robert Eaton for joining me on todays podcast.

Until next Monday, Peace, Love and Smiles all the way… Goodbye.

EP254: From £30 to TikTok Hair Sensation – Heffy Wheeler’s Journey to Recovery Sep 12, 2022

Show notes

Heffy Wheeler is a prime example of todays digital hair generation who has literally built their success on social media. But behind all this success lies a story much deeper to the person than just the content posts and videos we all adore seeing.

With just £30 in her pocket and Instagram and Facebook pages, Heffy Wheeler utilised her social media to grow HX Hair business into a multi-award winning salon. Thats where we start the story today with Heffy. But like all stories, it’s never plain sailing. This certainly rings true for Heffy.

After falling pregnant, Heffy developed ‘perinatal’ mental health illness. It was one of the darkest moments in her life. She says, “I felt so detached from this period of my life”. However with her fearless determination, coping stratergies and support from her husband she has battled back. We get to hear how she is now using her channels to raise awareness of mental health and get people talking about a subject that’s extremely close to her heart.

Then final part of the podcast is all TikTok. Heffy reveals how during lockdown she threw herself into what was then, a relatively new platform. Being on TikTok so early was a move that proved very fruitful for both her and her salon business. You’ll hear why in our conversation today!

Now regarded as a leading TikTok Hairdressing Star, Heffy is also going to share with us her tips and tricks that are perfect for all of you wanting to build success on TikTok, too.

If you love hearing a story with a journey, then Howtocutter’s, you’ll love this episode with Heffy Wheeler. Let’s go to it!

A podcast produced by How To Cut It Podcasts

Thanks for Listening

To share your thoughts:

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Ask a question by emailing me HERE
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Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one.
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Thank you to Heffy Wheeler for joining me on todays podcast.

Until next time Howtocutter’s, Peace, Love and Smiles all the way… Goodbye.

EP253: How to Recession Proof your Salon Business, with Richard McCabe Sep 05, 2022

Show notes

Recession proof your salon business. Its the hottest industry topic right now! So ask yourself this: How is your salon business going to survive the economic global recession? To help with all of this is todays guest, Richard McCabe the Lifestyle Salon Coach. For the very survival of your salon business, this is a podcast that needs to be heard.

For many of us it’s a scary time! Inflation on the rise, interest payments and utilities at the biggest rate since we can remember, there is no denying it’s going to be a tough year ahead for some salon owners.

At first it all seems so daunting. You’re worrying yourself to sleep at night on how are you going to afford to pay the salon bills and survive! Ok, so you cant control the rising costs and global crisis, but you can control how you will guide your salon business through these bumpy times ahead by not only surviving, but to also come out of it thriving.

Today Richard will guide us through exactly how our salon businesses can address and overcome the 3 biggest issues that will influence the next two years takings of your salon business. These 3 issues discussed today are:
#1 Dealing with rising bills and why you cannot just plod along through these next 2 years.
#2 Coping with fewer clients visiting the salon and that are dragging out appointments or looking for cheaper alternatives.
#3 Managing staff that are getting nervous about rising costs and looking to you for help.

Whether the economic global recession is “mild and short’ or a “major long one’, salon owners, small suit business renters, freelancers, etc so you need to be fully prepared for it. So hang on in there because today episode will not only help your salon business overcome it, but it could also help in giving it the best year ever.

Howtocutter’s, lets go to it…

A podcast produced by How To Cut It Podcasts

Thanks for Listening

To share your thoughts:

Leave a note in the comment section below.
Ask a question by emailing me HERE
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To help out the show:

Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one.
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Thank you to Richard McCabe for joining me on todays podcast.

Until next time Howtocutter’s, Peace, Love and Smiles all the way… Goodbye.

Classic Rerun: Alcohol, Drugs and Suicide Attempt! Niall Colgan’s Incredible Comeback Story Aug 29, 2022

Show notes

Welcome to a How To Cut It ‘Classic Rerun’ with Niall Colgan. Delving deep into our extensive podcast libraries, our Classic Rerun’s bring you some of our most popular episodes since we launched back in 2017.

Originally published in September 2019, this episode with Niall is our second highest download of all time. And for good reason! Niall’s story he shared then was what I described as a ‘podcast blockbuster’.So be prepared. You’re about to hear is one of the most powerful, emotional and hard hitting stories that we have ever brought you over the last five and half years!

An incredible comeback story, you’ll hear how Niall seemed to have it all. Enjoying great success, before the cracks began to show, I guarantee that you’ll all be hanging on every last word Niall shared with us back in 2019.

In 2009 Niall opened Niall Colgan Hairdressing, and in his very own words said, “I was flying by the seat of my pants, and with no clue on how to be a leader”! With this pressure he ended up having a total breakdown in October 2013, followed by a suicide attempt when it appeared that he had lost both his business and young family.

Hitting rock bottom was the turning point for Niall to rebuild his life. At the time of recording in 2019 he was 6 years into sobriety and with his partner Melie by his side and two young sons, Niall has gone from strength to strength.

Niall is truly inspirational. Listen in to hear his words on recovery from the depths of being rock bottom, and how he’s rebuilt both his life and thriving salon business out of a hard working ethic and huge passion for hair.

A podcast produced by How To Cut It Podcasts

Thanks for Listening

To share your thoughts:

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Ask a question by emailing me HERE
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Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one.
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Thank you to Niall Colgan for joining me on todays Classic Rerun podcast.

Until next time Howtocutter’s, Peace, Love and Smiles all the way… Goodbye.

EP252: Why Winning Denman Stage Star 2021 Has Been Career Changing for James Forte Aug 23, 2022

Show notes

Denman Stage Star 2021 winner James Forte has had a career changing year. In this final episode of our current podcast series in Collaboration with Denman Professional, we are to talk to James on his experiences of entering Denman Stage Star and everything it has brought hime since winning. It’s a conversation for all young hair professionals who are wanting to understand the excitement and impact entering hair industry competitions can give you.

A stylist based at Guy Christian in Cardiff, James could only dream about the opportunities that winning the Denman Stage Star has given him over the last year. This has included industry exposure and working on his very own photoshoot collection with Desmond Murray. If you are looking to shine brighter in the industry, I’m dead cert that entering the Denman Stage Star 2022 is a must for you.

It’s a competition that gives all budding platform artists the spotlight and a year of amazing opportunities. Denman is seeking individuals that stand out from the crowd and have the confidence and technical skill to share knowledge and inspiration from the stage. The winner will receive an all-expenses paid trip to London to present on stage alongside UK Stage Star finalists at Salon International, the UK’s largest hair show, plus a full year of education and creative guidance from world leading academy Allilon, one-to-one sessions with Denman Ambassadors and a full Denman professional kit. Boom!

To enter is as easy as simply submitting examples from your work portfolio, your social media links and creating a 2-minute video explaining why you should be the next Stage Star winner. In doing so could be your first steps to winning this career changing opportunity. Just like James did in 2021!

A production produced by How To Cut It Podcasts in collaboration with Denman Professional

Thanks for Listening

To share your thoughts:

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Ask a question by emailing me HERE
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Thank you to James Forte for joining me on todays podcast in collaboration with Denman Professional.

Until next time, Peace, Love and Smiles all the way… Goodbye.

EP251: Getting Back Up When Life Knocks You Down, with Marcus King Aug 15, 2022

Show notes

Let me tell you this: It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get back up.

There will be times when you feel like you’re on top of the world. Then life stops you right in your tracks! It throws you a big punch that knocks you sideways, and possibly out! You’ve hit rock bottom! This is exactly what today’s guest Marcus King experienced, and all within a two year period of the recent COVID pandemic.

Salon owner of the ‘King and I Norton’ in the North East of England and many industry awards to his name including British Men’s Hairdresser of the Year and North-Eastern Hairdresser of the Year, Marcus King looked to have it all. Then in 2020 the COVID pandemic arrives. Salons around the world go into lockdown. With the anxiety of salon closure, the furlough of staff, a compromising business partnership, short of money, the break up of his relationship, the tragic loss of his very close sister and illness, Marcus’s world was literally turned upside down in a very short space of time.

Today I want to get Marcus’s story that led him to such dark and difficult times. But before we get to this part of the story, I want to go right back. Right back to when Marcus entered into the hair industry as a young 14 year old lad, and how he went on to work on stages around the world with Hooker and Young, before leading us along to why winning at the British Hairdressing Awards meant so much to him. Then we learn about the exiting times of opening his salon business just before the pandemic, and then… Battling the very dark days of lockdown and how it all led Marcus to mental health illness, that culminated in a stroke. Then like all big blockbusters, we get the comeback story!

This is a hard-hitting episode that is going to help inspire and empower you to know that however difficult things get, you can comeback event stronger. Marcus is full proof of this. He’s discovered resiliance and determination to adapt in the face of adversity, trauma, ill health and loss. By turning to well-being and choosing a healthier lifestyle, Marcus is once again transforming pain into possibility. You’ll get so much from this monmuental episode.

A podcast produced by How To Cut It Podcasts

Thanks for Listening

To share your thoughts:

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Thank you to Marcus King for joining me on todays podcast.

Until next time Howtocutter’s, Peace, Love and Smiles all the way… Goodbye.

EP250: Why you Need to Understand the Science of Textured Hair, with Jacqui McIntosh Aug 08, 2022

Show notes

To be a successful hair professional, it’s important that you have skill sets that sits across all hair types. Including textured hair. Unfortunately for many of us, when its comes to understanding both the technique and science of textured hair, theres still much needed room for improvement. But fear not! We’re about to start changing that for you today.

In this episode I’m joined by the hairdresser often respectfully referred to as being the all-knowing “authority of textured hair and its business”, Jacqui McIntosh.

When Jacqui talks about hair she means business. A globally renowned salon Hairstylist, International Educator, Texture Management Specialist, Qualified teacher, Assessor, Internal Verifier, Award Winning Educator and Trichologist. She was recently celebrated as an industry pioneer for British Afro hairdressing, for black history month 2020. And with skill sets that sits across all hair types, we’re in the company of a true expert when it comes to understanding the science of textured hair.

Having Jacqui coming on the show today, I have so much to ask her on understanding the science of textured hair. Number 1, as hairdressers why do we struggle to truly embrace the science of textured hair, what benefits can it have on our clients, industry careers and businesses. All will be revealed later.

Going deeper into the podcast I also ask, why are we saying textured not curly hair? And why Jacqui believes not everyone has to do textured hair?

This is a brilliant and captivating conversation. You’ll get so much from what Jacqui shares! Let’s go to it, Howtocutter’s!

A podcast produced by How To Cut It Podcasts

Thanks for Listening

To share your thoughts:

Leave a note in the comment section below.
Ask a question by emailing me HERE
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To help out the show:

Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one.
Subscribe on iTunes.
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Thank you to Jacqui McIntosh for joining me on todays podcast.

Until next time Howtocutter’s, Peace, Love and Smiles all the way… Goodbye.