How To Cut It in the Hairdressing Industry

Latest Episodes:

EP404: Catherine Handcock OBE — Shaping The Industry Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

For today’s takeover episode, our month-long residency guest host Nancy Stripe sits down with the visionary Catherine Handcock OBE, a pioneering British publisher and leading advocate for the UK hair and beauty sector. As the founder of Creative HEAD and a director of the British Beauty Council, Catherine has spent decades championing professional excellence, building prestigious awards platforms, and lobbying for vital industry recognition.

Nancy and Catherine discuss the evolution of hairdressing as a vibrant, interconnected community and the power of storytelling through media. Catherine pulls back the curtain on how she successfully bridged the gap between salon life and the wider professional world, helping to set new standards for the entire industry.

They also explore the importance of recognising emerging talent and the necessity of giving a voice to those challenging the status quo. Discover why Catherine believes in innovation over tradition and why a commitment to unique vision is the ultimate tool for long-term success.

Tune in for an insightful conversation on entrepreneurship, the impact of professional advocacy, and how to build a legacy that changes an industry for the better. Whether you are seeking professional inspiration or strategic guidance, this episode offers a roadmap for leading with both passion and true purpose.

CHAPTERS

4:28 The OBE Story
8:29 Creative Head’s Legacy
24:11 New Focus Ahead
27:43 Reaching Future Hairdressers
33:39 Neurodiversity in Salons
42:07 Industry Icons and Inspiration
50:27 The Future of Hairdressing
56:28 Quickfire Questions

RESOURCES

Learn more on The Industry HERE
Connect with The Industry on Instagram @theindustrysquad
Sign up for Destination Hair HERE
For more on Creative Head Magazine Click HERE
Watch a Life In Hairdressing
Connect with Creative Head on Instagram @creativeheadmag
Connect with Catherine Handcock OBE on LinkedIn HERE
Find out more on the British Beauty Council HERE
Connect with Nancy Stripe on Instagram @nancystripecolour
Sign up to the waitlist of Spotd getspotdapp.com
Connect with Spotd on Instagram @getspotdapp

EP403: Jack Howard — Colour, Loss, & Change Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

We are thrilled to welcome the award-winning colourist and educator Nancy Stripe back again, but this time as our guest host for the How To Cut It podcast! As the owner of Stripe Colour Studio, Nancy is taking the helm for an exciting September residency, where she will be sitting down with a stellar lineup of industry experts. She kicks off her series with an absolute legend: Jack Howard.

Jack is an internationally acclaimed colourist, educator, and global L’Oréal Professionnel Ambassador widely credited with bringing the balayage technique to the UK. With over 30 years of professional experience and as the founder of his namesake luxury salon in Georgetown, Jack offers a masterclass in how to stay relevant in a fast-changing market.

In this episode, Jack shares his transition from traditional techniques to the modern era of soft, luminous grey blending. He discusses how to adapt teaching styles for stages versus classrooms, and why he prioritises mentorship over industry gatekeeping. They also cover the evolution of social media as a professional storytelling tool and the challenges of leading a team while navigating personal grief and life. Tune in for this inspiring, candid conversation on innovation, resilience, and the future of hairdressing.

CHAPTERS

10:38 Career Turning Points
16:29 Collaboration Over Competition
21:49 Trends, Social Media, and Change
26:45 Grey Blending’s Future
34:21 Salon Owner vs Stylist
39:39 Early Influences and Mentors
44:55 Grief and Going Back to Work
54:38 Building a New Circle
59:23 Quickfire Favorites

RESOURCES

Connect with Jack Howard on Instagram @jackhowardcolor
Jack Howard The Salon click HERE
Book courses with Jack Howard HERE
Watch Jacks interview on YouTube HERE
Connect with Nancy Stripe on Instagram @nancystripecolour
Sign up to the waitlist of Spotd getspotdapp.com
Connect with Spotd on Instagram @getspotdapp

EP402: Embrace the Grey–Nancy Stripe’s Colour‑Therapy Revolution Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

Today I’m sitting down with a long‑overdue guest: Nancy Stripe. A proud Northerner who leads with warmth, Nancy shares how her roots shape the way she connects with clients and teaches colour—and why grey blending isn’t camouflage, it’s identity. We dive into the psychology of consultation, the emotionsshe listens for before choosing a shade, and the moment that flipped her mission toward helping clients embrace their natural canvas.

Nancy unpacks how to read the spectrum from lived‑in subtlety to bold statements, where technical precision ends and the real “colour therapy” begins, and why specialisation—done deeply and ethically—elevates results for both clients and pros. We explore the rule‑bending side of modern colour (yes, including peroxides), spotting true innovation versus trend noise, and how credible education can thrive in an AI‑saturated era.

Nancy Stripe is an award‑winning hair colourist, educator, and owner of Stripe Colour Studio in Handforth near Manchester, UK. She is widely recognised as a leading specialist in balayage, lived‑in colour, and natural grey blending/transitioning.

Plus, big news: Nancy is taking over the mic throughout September, hosting episodes with her invited guests. Don’t miss them—subscribe to How To Cut It wherever you get your podcasts.

CHAPTERS

9:06 Grey Blending Origins
16:44 Three Grey Blending Techniques
18:28 From Accident to Online Course
25:42 L’Oréal and Career Growth
28:28 Mastery, AI, and Authentic Voice
34:17 Psychology Behind Client Consultations
40:10 Grey Hair as Business
42:58 Drive, Team, and Social Fatigue
47:29 Upcoming Podcast Takeover

RESOURCES

For more on Stripe Colour Studio click HERE
Connect with Nancy on Instagram @nancystripecolour
Online courses with Nancy click HERE
Education with Nancy click HERE
Join the waitlist for Spotd by visiting getspotdapp.com
Watch the conversation with Nancy on our YouTube channel @howtocutit
Follow Spotd on Instagram @getspotdapp

EP401: The Chair Changed Everything — Rio Agor Watts (Revlon Pro Education) Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of How To Cut It, I’m joined by Rio Agor Watts at Revlon Professional’s head office in London. Rio is Revlon’s Group Education Manager for the UK and Ireland, and her job is to make sure education isn’t just “product info” — it’s practical, relevant, and actually works on the salon floor. We unpack what her role really involves, from shaping the learning experience hairdressers receive to the behind-the-scenes work that most people never see.

Rio takes us through her own journey too — getting into hairdressing young, finding confidence and purpose in the salon, then moving from a large salon group into an independent and eventually into corporate education. She shares what she had to learn the hard way, and the moments that made her realise she wasn’t just a stylist, she was someone who wanted to develop others.

We also get into what Rio believes the industry needs right now, especially around texture inclusivity and education that’s done with respect and integrity. She talks openly about her mixed Nigerian, white and Spanish background, how that shaped her identity and hair journey, and why asking better questions in the salon matters. Expect honest insight on confidence, communication, boundaries, and knowing your worth — from someone whose entire job is helping hairdressers grow.

RESOURCES

Revlon Professional Education click HERE
Connect with Revlon Professional UK on Instagram @revlonpro_education_uki
Revlon Official Learning Hub click HERE
Connect with Rio on Instagram @riorevlonprofessional
Watch the conversation on YouTube @howtocutit

CHAPTERS

5:11 Weight Loss and Confidence
7:48 Roots and Identity
10:17 Texture Education Matters
12:05 From Money to Passion
14:08 Finding Growth at Headmasters
15:40 Leaving the Salon Machine
16:53 Why Education Wins
22:21 Joining Revlon Professional
23:57 Escaping the Doom Loop
25:52 Social Media and Booking
26:28 Educators and New Courses
28:53 Look and Learn Model
29:43 Visionaries Mentorship Programme
30:38 Championing Texture Inclusion
33:26 Neurodiversity in Education
36:20 Industry-Ready Training
37:35 Modern Work Boundaries
39:35 Ambition and Burnout
41:43 Social Battery Strain
43:22 Selling Yourself Well
44:34 The Power of Stage
46:06 What Makes Presenters Shine
48:15 Real Communication Matters
49:50 Retaining Talent Together
51:56 Charging Your Worth
54:39 Color, Care, and Scalp
56:39 Hair Loss and Growth

EP400: The Growth and Development Through Apprenticeships with KH Hair Group Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

I can’t believe we’ve reached our 400th episode of How To Cut It! I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than by tackling the power of career pathways in hairdressing through apprenticeships—something I personally owe my 40-year career to. And to top it off, having a rising star in the industry who came through the KH Group apprenticeship program join us is the absolute perfect way to mark this milestone.

In this episode of How To Cut It, supported by Wella Professionals, I’m joined by KH Hair Managing Director Darren Messias, franchisee Dawn Bramhall, and award-winning stylist Amelia Krasinski to break down what makes a modern apprenticeship truly successful.

With over 100 years of heritage and 19 salons, KH Hair proves that growing homegrown talent is the ultimate engine for salon longevity. Both Darren and Dawn started as apprentices and built decades-long careers—proving that when you offer clear career pathing across creative, business, and educational routes, retention looks after itself.

We dive into the real talk around apprenticeship recruitment: tackling financial pressures, engaging secondary schools, and why KH Hair invests in a dedicated third “finishing year” at their academy to get young team members truly salon-ready.

Plus, Amelia shares her journey from a school careers fair to winning Wella TrendVision Gold, demonstrating how strong mentorship turns ambitious apprentices into the future stars of our industry.

Whether you’re a salon owner looking to strengthen your team or an educator passionate about raising industry standards, this episode is packed with practical strategies to future-proof your business.

CHAPTERS

3:53 KH Hair’s Career Journey
7:19 Finding Hairdressing Early
8:37 Why Apprenticeships Matter
10:43 Recruiting Amid Rising Costs
13:38 Spotting Passion In Interviews
16:22 Attracting Local Talent
19:27 Settling Apprentices In
20:54 Leading With Support
22:44 A Longer Training Path
25:03 Learning Through Mistakes
28:02 Handling Apprentice Doubt
31:58 Money, Motivation, And Growth
35:30 Mentorship Builds Confidence
38:26 Retention Through Opportunity
41:54 TrendVision Gold Journey
48:44 The Future Of Apprenticeships

RESOURCES

Follow the KH Hair: @khhairgroup

Explore the brand:khhairgroup.co.uk

Upskill your talent: Wella Professionals Education Portal

Connect with Wella Professionals UKI: @wellaprofessionalsuki

Enter Wella Trendvison:Wella TrendVision

EP399: A New Chapter in Hair — Meet K18 FutureIQ with Suveen Sahib and Tom Smith Aug 21, 2026

Show notes

Get ready to meet K18 FutureIQ™! This special episode in partnership with K18, recorded in front of a live audience at SALT Salon London, isn’t just a conversation – it’s a genuine line-in-the-sand moment, truly redefining hairdressing’s future!

I’m incredibly excited to be joined by co-founder and CEO of K18, Suveen Sahib and global brand ambassador Tom Smith. We’re diving deep into the revolutionary K18 FUTUREIQ™ launch to uncover why hair longevity is not just a buzzword, but the undeniable future of proactive hair care – a future K18 FutureIQ™ is instrumental in shaping.

Discover Suveen’s incredible journey from high-stakes technology to bioscience, as he details the pivotal ‘aha!’ moments that led to profound insights into hair biology and ultimately, K18’s creation through vital stylist collaboration. Tom will then equip you with salon-ready practical insights, revealing the key emerging trends and client demands poised to define the future of proactive hair care.

This is profoundly game-changing: we delve into K18’s revolutionary focus on premature hair aging, meticulously connecting shedding, scalp health, and even early greys directly to oxidative load within the hair follicle. Beyond the vital science, we provide your essential toolkit: how to confidently discuss this shift in the chair, who FutureIQ™ is for, its incredibly simple nightly application, and the transformative, realistic results to expect over just 30-90 days.

This episode is packed with monumental lessons designed to ignite your passion, elevate your expertise, and powerfully transform your approach – from mastering hair biology to seeing hair health as smart, scalable business for your salon.

CHAPTERS

3:55 K18’s Origin Story
8:54 From Tech to Hair
12:50 Why Premature Aging Matters
20:08 Spotting Early Hair Aging
21:37 Defining Hair Longevity
27:58 Future IQ Science
33:13 Reading Hair Stress
34:36 Hair Aging vs Loss
35:56 Simple Daily Application
41:38 What to Expect
46:09 The Scalp Frontier
47:41 Salon Wellness Shift
52:10 Future Trends Ahead
54:27 Biohacking the Hair
58:47 Bridging Clients and Experts
1:01:44 Who Future IQ Suits
1:03:06 Why a Serum
1:04:11 Hairline Performance

RESOURCES

CONNECT WITH K18 ON INSTAGRAM @K18hair_uk and @K18hair
FIND OUT MORE ON K18 AND FUTUREIQ™ ONLINE HERE
CONNECT WITH SUVEEN SAHIB ON INSTAGRAM @suveensahib
CONNECT WITH TOM SMITH ON INSTAGRAM @tomsmithhd

EP398: Where Can Hair Take You? | Introducing WHAIR To? Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

Where can a career in hair really take you? That’s the question at the heart of this episode—and why I’m sharing a special Whair To (W-H-A-I-R To) sampler with you.

Whair To is the new short, punchy, question-led podcast from the soon to launch hair industry opportunity platform Spotd, built around real stories from people working across our industry. No heavy studio chat. No host. Just straight-to-the-point answers that show the many different routes a hairdressing or barbering career can open up.

In this best-of selection, you’ll hear:

Paul Corbett (Director of Advanced Education at Francesco Hair Salons) on going from apprentice to creative director, salon owner and international educator—and why simply showing up to events, learning from others, and committing to mentorship can change everything.

Lawson Bliss on entering the industry almost by accident, finding his feet in Birmingham, and discovering that understanding the business side of hair can be the difference between a job and a long-term career—plus what it meant to open a salon with his mum.

Jax Hirst (founder of the Never Just Hair Facebook group) on freelancing, running a home studio, building education and mentoring projects, and the realities of boundaries, energy, communication—and knowing when to ask for help.

Rob Howes (Wella Professionals) on a journey that’s taken him from college to cruise ships, salon life and education, into digital and data—alongside a setback that taught him resilience and proved just how many directions this industry can take you.

If you’ve ever wondered what’s possible in hair beyond the chair—or you’re looking for that spark of motivation—this one’s for you. And if you want the full stories, you can find the complete episodes by subscribing to Whair To? wherever you get your podcasts.

Hit play, and see WHAIR hair can take you!

CHAPTERS

0:10 Podcast Intro
0:57 Introducing WHAIR To?
2:34 Spotd Launch
5:00 Paul’s Career Journey
8:56 Lawson’s Salon Story
11:14 Jax Builds Community
15:04 Rob’s Education Path
18:23 Wrap-Up

RESOURCES

Learn more on Spotd by going to getspotdapp.com
Connect with Spotd on Instagram @getspotdapp
Listen and subscribe to WHAIR To? podcast on Apple Podcasts HERE
Listen and subscribe to WHAIR To? podcast on Spotify HERE
Connect with Rob Howes on Instagram @thewellahairguy
Connect with Jax Hirst on Instagram @jaxrhair
Connect with Lawson Bliss Instagram @lawsonbliss
Connect with Paul Corbett Instagram @paulcorbett.hairdresser

EP397: Michael Douglas — Serving Consumers, or Selling Out? You Decide. Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

Can a hairdresser and brand truly serve both consumers and the industry? That’s the hook of this episode—and the focus of our follow-up to our most-downloaded podcast of 2025. Recorded live at HairCon, with renowned celebrity hairstylist and founder of mdlondon, Michael Douglas.

Friend of the How To Cut It podcast, Michael Douglas is back to share why he’s returned to an industry event after building a consumer-led platform and launching mdlondon tools and styling products. He argues there’s no real divide between “professional” and “consumer” because it’s the same client, and says his lockdown Instagram Lives proved that sharing expertise fuels salon bookings rather than replacing them.

Michael addresses the industry backlash he faced, charts mdlondon’s evolution—from a shelved cordless concept during lockdown supply issues to early sales struggles and a Black Friday turnaround—and urges hairdressers to share knowledge, go live to attract clients, and help bring new talent into the industry.

This is a conversation you’ll have an opinion on, either way!

Chapters

4:19 Lockdown Consumer Pivot
11:12 Lives Build Demand
15:58 MD London Origin
18:47 Shampoo Myths
20:05 Retailing in Salons
25:22 Building the Next Generation
27:17 Breaking Into Celebrity
29:14 Education and Opportunity
31:04 Salon Partnership Deal

Resources

MD London Website: mdlondon.com

MD London on Instagram: @mdlondon

HairCon on Instagram @hairconshow

Spotd App find out more getspotdapp.com

Connect with Spotd on Instagram @getspotdapp

How To Cut It on Instagram @howtocutit

EP396: Are you charging your worth—if not, why not? Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

Still guessing your prices?

If you’re a freelance hairdresser or salon owner who feels guilty raising rates, this episode is your permission slip—and your plan. In this How To Cut It panel, Georgia Bell, Ruth Lundstrum (Freelance Suite), Samantha Toogood, and Samantha Blues reveal why hair pros undercharge and how to price with confidence. We strip emotion from money, swap rigid menus for bespoke, hair-type packages, and build pricing that covers wages, tax/VAT, profit, pensions, sick pay, education, and cancellations. Ruth busts the “clients can’t afford it” myth—spending is a choice—and shares real numbers, including intentionally outpriced services that prove value sells.

Learn when to raise prices, how to stay booked, and the differences between salon and solo realities, plus the financial gaps NVQs leave behind.

CHAPTERS

0:05: Pricing Playbook Kickoff
7:47: VAT, Value, and Priorities
11:19: Real Rates, Real Services
18:10: Fear, Packages, and Price Hikes
20:31: Money, Greed, and Freedom
24:40: Educate, Earn, and Level Up
25:54: Business Basics and Profit
27:34: Comfortable Living Defined
28:36: Property, Branding, and Pensions
31:16: Financial Education for All

RESOURCES

REGISTER TO JOIN SPOTD HERE
FREELANCER SUITE CLICK HERE
SAMANTHA BLUES CSI CLICK HERE
GEORGIA BELL EDUCATION CLICK HERE
@georgiagracebell/
@ruth__lund
@samanthabluescolourcoach
@toogood_hair_well_being_

EP395: The Secret Garden’s Gender‑Neutral Salon Playbook Jul 20, 2026

Show notes

In today’s episode, Dom chats with Darren Cunningham and George Waterfield, owners of Leicester’s The Secret Garden, on building a truly welcoming, LGBTQ+ inclusive salon—and why inclusion is both practical and profitable.

Hear how they opened at speed, navigated Leicester’s lockdown from a family garage, and replaced “ladies/gents” with gender‑neutral, length‑ and time‑based pricing. They share lessons on risk‑taking, constant education, and turning hate toward their Pride flag into powerful community solidarity, culminating in a 140‑person drag‑queen re‑raising.

Plus, their growth playbook: DMing influencers, smart pro bono collabs that led to Netflix premiere work and headline moments, and brand partnerships with L’Oréal. If you want culture, pricing, and marketing strategies that actually move the needle, this one’s for you. Hit Play!

CHAPTERS