How To Cut It in the Hairdressing Industry

Latest Episodes:

EP140: Harriet Stokes’s Go-To Guide to Hairdressing Teams, Competitions & Events Mar 02, 2020

Show notes

If you’re curious to know what’s out there when it comes to the inspirational world of the hairdressing circuit, and all the opportunities that it can bring – then we’ve got the ultimate go-to guide for you.

Coming back onto the podcast today is the mega hair talent, Harriet Stokes. Harriet last joined us back in Episode 110, where we learned of her rise to becoming one of British hairdressings hottest hair stars. Well she’s back today to offer her invaluable experiences of what you need to know when it comes to being part of hairdressing teams, competitions and events. I promise that it’ll will show you the many opportunities that are out there for you.

Harriet knows only to well on what’s out there when it comes to taking your hair career to the next level. A senior stylist and educator for the world famous Not Another brand, Harriet has never stood still when it comes to self-improving as hairdresser. Being part of Mentoring Teams such as the GHD Style Squad and L’Oreal ID team, has played a vital part in the successes and accolades she’s now achieving in her career. These include winning the L’Oreal Colour Trophy ‘Star Award’, finalist for Creative Heads ‘Hair trend” category and a finalist for Creative Heads It girl for the last two years.

Harriet’s go-to guide will include her top tips to for why you should be part of a Mentoring Team, entering competitions and what attending industry events can do for you. It’s great listening for all of us with ambitions to get the most out of the industry. But most of all, to keep us all excited about it. Lastly, make sure to stick around to the end of our conversation. Harriet has a massive first-time exclusive that she’s about to reveal to us all in this episode. It’s an OMG moment!

What are you waiting for, hit play to find out more!

A podcast produced by Hairy Media Productions.

Thanks for Listening

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Special thanks to Harriet Stokes for joining me today.

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

EP139: When it’s Time to Step Away and Handover the Salon Business – with Tony Wood & Liam Fry Feb 24, 2020

Show notes

Today, we’re covering a conversation rarely discussed: stepping away from a salon business that you’ve loved, nurtured and grown over many years.

To help us learn more on this intriguing topic, I’m joined by two hairstylists who know perfectly how this works – iconic hairdresser Tony Wood and rising star, Liam Fry. For any salon owners looking for an exit strategy to your salon business, then this episode is your essential listening guide. And if you’re a salon employee, then you’ll love learning on how one day you could find yourself next in line for the salon business you love being part of.

For the past 30 years, Tony Wood has helmed Tony Wood Hairdressing as its founder, director, and the name above the door. But in 2019 was the year he decided to step back from directorship duties. With the salon business going brilliantly, he knew his purpose had always been to do what’s best for the business and its team of astoundingly talented stylists. It just so happens that last year — three decades later — was the year he felt that the strongest course of action would be to hand control of the helm to his protégé, Liam Fry. The injection of youthful energy he’s brought to the salon has been revolutionary.

With Liam being in the hairdressing industry for just over 15 years, as a stylist, a manager, an educator, and all under the Tony Wood Hairdressing roof, he was the ideal candidate for Tony to handover the salon business to. And for Tony? Well, it’s time he steps out from behind the salon’s social media and establish his own ‘Wood Hair’ presence online. He’s looking forward to seeing how thing shape up.

Whether your planning an exit strategy or wondering when the time is right to step away from your salon business, Tony has this to say, “I’ve met business owners that shouldn’t be doing anymore, they should have got out 5 to 10 years ago”. Food for thought, so lets go to it!

A podcast produced by Hairy Media Productions.

Thanks for Listening

To share your thoughts:

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Special thanks to Tony Wood and Liam Wood for joining me today.

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

EP138: Why Freelance Hairdresser’s Need to be Taken Seriously – with Sheila Abrahams Feb 17, 2020

Show notes

Today’s guest Sheila Abrahams went from salon owner to freelance hairdresser by default, offering home hairdressing services. But with the freelance world being dubbed as ‘the black market’, professionals like Sheila struggled to be taken seriously outside of a salon environment. This was going to change!

Sheila had a very different vision and got together with Heather Hopkins, who shared her vision, to form a trade association that set standards for the first time in the freelance sector. In October 1993 The freelance Hair & Beauty Federation (FHBF) was launched. Giving a voice to freelancers in the industry as well as making many services available for the freelance sector that had previously been denied. At last freelance hairdressers had a voice in the industry, were being recognised for running professional businesses and renowned for the importance they place on regular training to keep their skills at the cutting edge.

Freelance hairdressers have now had their own organisation for more than twenty five years and in 2014 the FHBF was rebranded the Freelance Hairdresser’s Association (FHA). The freelance sector is now well established with recognised industry standards. But has the freelancer reputation really changed or is there still a stigma with mobile hairdressing? Thats what we’re about to uncover in today’s podcast with Sheila.

As the founder of the FHA, the pride that Sheila has towards her astonishing achievement is clear – and rightly so. “The members are like my family. People have made amazing friendships through the organisation and I’m hugely proud of the support it was provided.” And, today she’s got some amazing insight into being a professional freelance hairdresser, and what it takes to succeed. Have a listen.

A podcast produced by Hairy Media Productions.

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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Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one.
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Special thanks to Sheila Abrahams for joining me today.

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

EP137: What You Need to Know – ‘How To Cut It’ Podcast in 2020 Feb 10, 2020

Show notes

Today’s episode is a rare one. Why you may ask? First up, I have no guest for you. It’s a solo show with just me, the microphone and your company.

I felt the time was right to stop and take stock of everything thats happened to me and the ‘How To Cut It‘ podcast since I first launched and hosted the intro show back in March 2017. And thats exactly what I’m going to share with you all today. So come with me as we take a look to the past, now and future of the ‘How To Cut It‘ podcast. I’ve some exciting and exclusive news to reveal to you all, including a ticket give away to Wella Professionals brand new Colour Conversation events that I’ll be hosting in London, Manchester and Dublin. More on that shortly!

We kick off today’s episode with the past. Featuring an incredible array of industry icons, rising stars, digital influencers and those from the creative and fashion industries, I’m thrilled to have brought to you 53 episodes in 2019. But what was the most listened to episodes of this year? That I’m about to announce to you –– the Top 5 highest download episodes from 2019. Be sure to listen in to hear if your favourite interview has got into that Top 5.

Moving on to the now, I’m keen to share with you on how podcasting has been one of the best decision I’ve made in my hairdressing career. Thanks to podacsting it is giving me the amazing experiences of being invited to host and guest speak at leading industry events. I’ll be telling you of some my current gig bookings for the year ahead, that includes Inspirational Minds 2020, Colour Conversation and Business Hub 2020. I hope you can join me at one of these events!

Like all good ‘How To Cut It‘ episodes we will finish with the future. Let’s just say there is a few teasers in this podcast, where I’ll be touching upon both a brand new live stage show that I’ll be hosting throughout the UK during 2020, and the launch of another podcast show soon. Curious to know more, then keep tuned in.

Lastly, do stick around to the very end of this podcast. I’ll be telling how you can have the chance to WIN 1 of 5 tickets to Wella Professionals brand new Colour Conversation event in either London, Manchester and Dublin. Now thats what you need to know! Hit that play button!!

A podcast produced by Hairy Media Productions.

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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Special thanks for joining me today.

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

EP136: Disrupting the Beauty Industry! Alexis and David Thurston’s Journey to Pulp Riot Feb 03, 2020

Show notes

Back in Episode 126 of our Salon International 2019 Backstage Special, I had the delight to sit down for a short conversation with Alexis and David Thurston, the husband and wife duo and founders of the Pulp Riot hair colour line, Butterfly Loft salon in Los Angeles, and the Butterfly Circus traveling education team. In that episode they briefly touched upon the Pulp Riot tribe and brand. Well today I’ve invited them their back onto the show as I want to go much deeper into their early beginnings in hair, their relationship, Butterfly Loft Salon, education, and their journey to the success of founding the fastest growing colour line in the history of the beauty industry, Pulp Riot.

For the past decade Alexis and David have been industry disruptors and innovators. Changing how professional hair products are created and marketed, how stylists are educated, and how communities of artists are created. They have been at the forefront of the digital revolution in the beauty industry, which has resulted in Pulp Riot becoming the fastest growing colour line in the history of the beauty industry. Whilst fast growing, David says of their journey to Pulp Riot, “It wasn’t a straight line of success, it was a spiral staircase up.” This is something they will be sharing much more of with us all today.

This conversation with Alexis and David is great, packed full of insights into how they’ve gone about disrupting the beauty industry using yes, their mobile phones and social media. It blew my mind on what they have achieved in such a short space of time whilst maintaining a healthy family home life, too. I hope that listening in to this podcast today it will make you feel that you can achieve any goals you hunger for in the industry, but only if you have those magic ingredients of: desire, passion, drive and talent.

So what are we waiting for, lets get to this by hitting that play button. Enjoy!

A podcast produced by Hairy Media Productions.

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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Special thanks to Alexis and David Thurston for joining me today.

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

EP135: How Hunter and Walsh Came Back from the Edge of Ruins – with Vivienne Johns Jan 27, 2020

Show notes

Vivienne Johns is the co-owner of a successful hair salon business in Cornwall, UK, Hunter and Walsh. But it’s not been a straightforward journey for the business since it first opened back in 2003. From the brink of financial ruins, Vivienne and her business partner Nadine Hunter, have had to dig deep by learning the valuable lessons from previous mistakes made in running a salon business. These mistakes have guided them to where their thriving salon business is now at in 2020. So for the everyday salon owner experiencing the anxieties of running a salon day to day, this is the podcast for you.

When Vivienne first reached out to me she said, “I want to share my story with the listeners because as an avid listener of your podcast I sometimes struggle to recognise myself in the stories that are told. The untold stories of the everyday hairdresser, the ones that are struggling.” Well today Vivienne has that opportunity, as she shares her story that will resonate with many of you who are currently facing the challenges of running a salon business, or for those of you looking to learn about the realities of what it really means to have your own salon of the future. Good and bad!

We dig deep into the start up of the Hunter and Walsh salon. Next, Vivienne takes you through the growth of the salon, and how it went to the edge of ruins. In the end, Vivienne explains how they learned from all of their past mistakes, which eventually led them to come bouncing back with a successful and well run business model. It’s an open, honest – and at times, emotional conversation that will give us all a masterclass to running a salon business through all of it’s highs and lows. We cover it all!

This podcast today has so many inspirational takeaways from Vivienne on running a salon business. No matter how tough things can get in business, you’ll be empowered to know that to get true success, you’ll learn best from your mistakes and that having a steely determination will one day reap you the rewards. Lets dive in!

A podcast produced by Hairy Media Productions.

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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Special thanks to Vivienne Walsh for joining me today.

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

EP134: Joe Mills – Creating Successful High Street Hair Brands Jan 20, 2020

Show notes

Today’s guest Joe Mills has been grabbing my attention for sometime now. Why? Because not only is he a hugely respected men’s session stylist who’s work I love, but he’s gone about creating successful high street hair brands. With brands that includes The Lounge Soho, Jo and Co Barbershop, and his recently launched new brand, MILLS, in select Primark stores nationwide, Joe shares today his story on how he’s gone about building these high street brands – including the process of setting up the Mills concessions business within Primark stores.

Joe is a humble, honest and nice guy. His first-hand experience on what is takes to build and run a high street hair brand from scratch – warts and all – is rich in valuable knowledge for us all. It’s for these reasons why I’m psyched in having a conversation with Joe. Being in hair since he was 15, Joe moved to London in 1991, where he landed at the Fish in Soho. It was in 1998 that Joe took the leap into opening his first business, The Lounge Soho. The learning process to building and running a high street hair brand had begun. Something he’ll be explaining to us all today.

Don’t think building successful high street hair brands comes easy. As a parent juggling childcare alongside running his brands and working on the shop floor, Joe is a perfect example on what can be achieved through dedication, passion and talent. So ask yourself: have you got all that about you? If yes, then creating a successful high street hair brand could be in your locker too.

There are so many amazing nuggets of wisdom and insights that Joe shares in helping you achieving that dream of maybe running a successful high street hair brand, so listen in to the full episode and enjoy.

A podcast produced by Hairy Media Productions.

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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Special thanks to Joe Mills for joining me today.

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

EP133: Why You Need to be Collaborating in 2020 – with Sabrina Hill and Denise Walsh Jan 06, 2020

Show notes

New Year, New Decade. Does this mean new goals for you?

Answered yes, then one of your goals for 2020 could possibly see you collaborating with likeminded hair stylists and salons to help you grow your skills, and likewise, you help to grow theirs too. This is what todays guests Sabrina Hill and Denise Walsh have gone about doing, and on the back of this in 2018 created together the Business of Hair – a hairdressing education company. If the idea of collaborating appeals to you, then you’re in for a treat as we’re about to explore with Sabrina and Denise on why you need to be collaborating in 2020.

Two successful salon owners, educators and social media industry influencers from Ireland, Sabrina owner of Kopper Hair Salon, Cork and Denise owner of Rustiq Salons, Kilkenny are separated by a 2 hour car journey. But this did not stop them from connecting and after a meeting up, coming together to initially creating a mutual collaboration of education between their salons. Bingo! With Denise’s salon business acumen and Sabrina’s award winning colour expertise, their salon businesses benefited from cross sharing education in the particular strengths. The perfect collaboration!

Collaborating is big news right now, and I love how the idea could help the future of the hair industry . A process of two or more people working together to complete a task or achieve a goal, you’ll hear how it could benefit you or your salon business, whilst also developing a support network for self-employed hairdressers.

From in-salon education and problem solving, there is so many top tips coming your way from Denise and Sabrina on why collaborating could be the right way forward for hair stylists and salon businesses. Like I said, I love the idea of collaborating and I’m sure this could be one of your goals for 2020 and onwards, so make sure to listen in.

A podcast produced by Hairy Media Productions.

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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Special thanks to Denise Walsh and Sabrina Hill for joining me today.

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

EP132: I Can, I Am, and I Will – with Louis Byrne Dec 30, 2019

Show notes

I recently had the pleasure to connect at the British Hairdressing Awards 2019 with the celebrity, award winning and session hair stylist Louis Byrne. It was here where I first learned of his inspirational empowerment project, I Can, I Am, and I Will. I loved it so much, that I just had to bring him on to todays show.

Completing our 3 week instalment series dedicated to mental health and wellbeing awareness within the hairdressing industry, we are to learn today on how Louis’s life changing experiences led him through a process of understanding, acceptance, sobriety and self-care. It was during this big shift in his life that Louis says, “The positive mantras replayed over in my head with each beginning with I Can…, I Am… and I Will.”

Having 20 years of experience working at the top of his industry, Louis seemed to have it all. 4 years assisting Sam McKnight travelling the international fashion week circuit, styling editorials for the likes of Vogue, Harpers Bazaar and L’Officiel, working on campaigns from Net-a-Porter to Nike, been the tour stylist for Ellie Goulding, the man behind the ‘quaff’ for Emma Willis, and the go-to hair stylist for an impressive number of actresses, models and musicians. However, the journey to reaching these heights wasn’t always plain sailing!

Riding on a rollercoaster of working hard, playing hard and fast living to avoid facing his demons, culminated in a debilitating accident in 2018 when Louis broke his leg in 3 places. Forced to pause and take stock of his situation, Louis began a process of looking inwards. As Louis explains, “I had to face up to issues including the trauma and loss that had been plagued me since childhood, destructive behavioural traits and addiction that had affected me and those close to me deeply.”

Everyone of us has our own story to tell, including our own versions of the positive mantras beginning I Can, I Am and I Will. For Louis he focused his love for the art and expression of hair styling and considered the power of the connection between stylist and client. He realised the empowering and transformative effect this combination can have which goes beyond appearance alone, and this laid the foundation for the project that connects creativity to wellness, with a driving force of positivity.

An ongoing project, todays podcast finishes with how you can become involved by sharing your own version of ‘I Can, I Am and I Will’ using the hashtag #icaniamandiwill. So lets all do this together as we head off into a new decade and era of self-discovery. Happy and Healthy New Year to you all!

A podcast produced by Hairy Media Productions.

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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Special thanks to Louis Byrne for joining me today.

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

EP131: Mind, Body and Wellness in Hairdressing – with Eva Espinosa Dec 23, 2019

Show notes

It’s that time of year for all of us hairdressers. Sore feet, aching calves, energy sapped, headspace full, and, yes, ready for a well earned festive break. So what could be a better time than now to recover your mind, body and wellness ready for a big new year ahead. To help us all with this recovery, we’re joined for the second of our 3 week instalment series dedicated to mental health and wellbeing awareness within the hairdressing industry by holistic hairdresser and coach, Eva Espinosa.

Originally from Spain, Eva settled her life in London and is now based at ‘Our little Secret’ – an independent hair salon with a unique holistic approach to hairdressing. Eva uses her practice in the field of yoga, her qualifications and studies in communication and the psychology of trauma with contemporary techniques for self-development enable her to offer a unique vision to educate, inspire and transform others in their personal journeys of obtaining great balance with their mind, body and wellness.

In this episode, I talk through with Eva on tips to creating an enjoyable client wellbeing salon experience through the rituals of holistic hairdressing. Most importantly, these services will allow us all to slow down and be present with ourselves and our clients. This matters greatly both to your own wellness and understanding clients with varying emotions. And be sure to stick around to the end of the podcast. Eva gives us some great advice to teaching practices in mind, body and wellness for ourselves to adapt into our busy lives, followed by a fun exercise to try along with me.

A truly enlightening podcast episode, Eva’s insights into ‘holistic hairdressing’ will open your eyes to a completely new take within hairdressing. So lets put our feet up, tune-in and recharge our batteries this festive holidays. You deserve it! Happy Christmas!

A podcast produced by Hairy Media Productions.

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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Special thanks to Eva Espinosa for joining me today.

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