The Hair Game

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 440 • How Early Career Choices Brought New Opportunities w/ Anna Marti May 25, 2026

Show notes

@annamarti turned from shy high school student to successful Los Angeles hairdresser, makeup artist, and Joico educator. We discuss building a career in beauty, the importance of confidence, continuous learning, and embracing opportunities.

This Week's Topics:

• Anna's Journey into Beauty and Hairdressing • Observations on Beauty Standards Post-COVID • Building a Clientele Through Personal Approach • The Importance of Expanding Comfort Zones • Navigating Early Career Choices and Opportunities • Continuous Learning in the Beauty Industry • Navigating Burnout and Work-Life Balance • Transitioning Careers and New Opportunities • Launching a Beauty Line During COVID • Becoming a Joico Educator • Inspiring the Next Generation of Stylists

Video versions of our episodes are on our YouTube channel for you to watch! Subscribe to our channel The Hair Game on YouTube and check out 'The Hair Game Podcast' playlist.

Our podcast thrives on the opinions of you, the listener... if you have a moment (and you are an Apple user), please leave us a rating & review on the Apple podcasts app or iTunes!

Here's what you do:

- Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

- Click on the empty purple stars (5 is the best)!

- Click on 'Write a Review' and let us know what you love most!

Each rating & review helps us reach more and more of your fellow hair loves, and our goal is to help as many hairdressers as we can find success.

Thanks in advance!

@thehairgamepodcast

@salonrepublic

@loveerictaylor

HIGHLIGHTS • How Early Career Choices Brought New Opportunities w/ Anna Marti May 25, 2026

Show notes

These are clips highlighting some of the topics discussed in the full episode! Check it out if you want a bite-sized version of the full episode.

This Week's Topics:

Video versions of our episodes are on our YouTube channel for you to watch! Subscribe to our channel The Hair Game on YouTube and check out 'The Hair Game Podcast' playlist.

Our podcast thrives on the opinions of you, the listener... if you have a moment (and you are an Apple user), please leave us a rating & review on the Apple podcasts app or iTunes!

Here's what you do:

- Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

- Click on the empty purple stars (5 is the best)!

- Click on 'Write a Review' and let us know what you love most!

Each rating & review helps us reach more and more of your fellow hair loves, and our goal is to help as many hairdressers as we can find success.

Thanks in advance!

http://www.instagram.com/thehairgamepodcast

http://www.instagram.com/salonrepublic

http://www.instagram.com/loveerictaylor

Ep. 439 • Unlock the Data Behind the Beauty Industry w/Alain Audet May 11, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of the Hair Game Podcast, Alain Audet, shares his extensive journey in the beauty and fashion industry, discussing his experiences in various roles and his current position at Salon Interactive. He elaborates on the importance of the KIM Report, a new initiative aimed at collecting and analyzing industry data to provide valuable insights for beauty professionals. The conversation also touches on the challenges of data collection in a fragmented industry, trends in service pricing, and the significance of understanding average versus median pricing. Alain emphasizes the accessibility of the KIM Report for salon professionals and the potential benefits it offers to the industry.

Key Takeaways:

• Alain's introduction into the beauty and fashion industry

• How the KIM Report collects vital industry data for better decision-making

• Data collection in the beauty industry faces significant challenges

• Retail sales in salons have been declining for three consecutive years

• Understanding average vs. median pricing is crucial for salons

• The evolution of Salon E-Commerce

• How to understand the data behind your salon

Video versions of our episodes are also available at:

https://youtu.be/ue8DLBvzDP4

Subscribe to our channel The Hair Game on YouTube and check out 'The Hair Game Podcast' playlist

Our podcast thrives on the opinions of you, the listener... if you have a moment (and you are an Apple user), please leave us a rating & review on the Apple podcasts app or iTunes!

Here's what you do:

Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

Click on the empty purple stars (5 is the best)!

Click on 'Write a Review'

and let us know what you love most!

Each rating & review helps us reach more and more of your fellow hair loves, and our goal is to help as many hairdressers as we can find success.

Thanks in advance!

@thehairgamepodcast

@salonrepublic

@loveerictaylor

HIGHLIGHTS • Unlock the Data Behind the Beauty Industry w/Alain Audet May 11, 2026

Show notes

Key Takeaways:

• Alain's introduction into the beauty and fashion industry

• How the KIM Report collects vital industry data for better decision-making

• Data collection in the beauty industry faces significant challenges

• Retail sales in salons have been declining for three consecutive years

• Understanding average vs. median pricing is crucial for salons

• The evolution of Salon E-Commerce

• How to understand the data behind your salon

Subscribe to our channel The Hair Game on YouTube and check out 'The Hair Game Podcast' playlist

Our podcast thrives on the opinions of you, the listener... if you have a moment (and you are an Apple user), please leave us a rating & review on the Apple podcasts app or iTunes!

Here's what you do:

Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

Click on the empty purple stars (5 is the best)!

Click on 'Write a Review'

and let us know what you love most!

Each rating & review helps us reach more and more of your fellow hair loves, and our goal is to help as many hairdressers as we can find success.

Thanks in advance!

@thehairgamepodcast

@salonrepublic

@loveerictaylor

Ep. 438 • From Fork in the Road to CEO w/ Vargaro's Fred Helou Apr 27, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of the Hair Game Podcast, Fred Helou, shares his remarkable journey of becoming the founder and CEO of Vagaro. He discusses the pivotal moments in his life that shaped his entrepreneurial spirit, the challenges he faced in the tech industry, and the importance of customer feedback in developing innovative software solutions. Fred also touches on the future of AI in the beauty industry and introduces his new podcast, 'Know What I Mean?', where he aims to share stories from the beauty community.

Key Takeaways:

• Fred's Journey from Lebanon to the US

• Growing Up in War

•The importance of recognizing pivotal moments in life

• Fred's experience in tech and how it led to the creation of Vagaro

• The significance of customer feedback in developing software features

• Creating his own podcast "Know What I Mean" and sharing stories from the beauty industry

• Honoring your entrepreneurial spirit

• The challenges and triupms of starting your own business

Subscribe to our channel The Hair Game on YouTube and check out 'The Hair Game Podcast' playlist

Our podcast thrives on the opinions of you, the listener... if you have a moment (and you are an Apple user), please leave us a rating & review on the Apple podcasts app or iTunes!

Here's what you do:

Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

Click on the empty purple stars (5 is the best)!

Click on 'Write a Review'

and let us know what you love most!

Each rating & review helps us reach more and more of your fellow hair loves, and our goal is to help as many hairdressers as we can find success.

Thanks in advance!

@thehairgamepodcast

@salonrepublic

@loveerictaylor

HIGHLIGHTS • From Fork in the Road to CEO w/ Vargaro's Fred Helou Apr 27, 2026

Show notes

Key Takeaways:

• Fred's Journey from Lebanon to the US

• Growing Up in War

• The importance of recognizing pivotal moments in life

• Fred's experience in tech and how it led to the creation of Vagaro

• The significance of customer feedback in developing software features

• Creating his own podcast "Know What I Mean" and sharing stories from the beauty industry

• Honoring your entrepreneurial spirit

• The challenges and triupms of starting your own business

Subscribe to our channel The Hair Game on YouTube and check out 'The Hair Game Podcast' playlist

Our podcast thrives on the opinions of you, the listener... if you have a moment (and you are an Apple user), please leave us a rating & review on the Apple podcasts app or iTunes!

Here's what you do:

Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

Click on the empty purple stars (5 is the best)!

Click on 'Write a Review' and let us know what you love most!

Each rating & review helps us reach more and more of your fellow hair loves, and our goal is to help as many hairdressers as we can find success.

Thanks in advance!

@thehairgamepodcast

@salonrepublic

@loveerictaylor

Ep. 437 • The Story Behind a Global Color Revolution w/Manic Panic Apr 13, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Hair Game Podcast, we meet Tish and Snooky, the founders of Manic Panic. They share their journey from performing in legacy bands to creating a revolutionary hair color brand. They discuss their nightlife inspiration, the evolution of their business, and their commitment to vegan and cruelty-free products. The sisters reflect on their experiences in the beauty industry, the challenges they faced, and their plans for the future of their company. The passion that started this company is very much at the forefront of their business, and they emphasize the importance of authenticity in a brand.

Key Takeaways:

• Inspiration for the origin of Manic Panic

• Musical past as backup singers for Blondie

• How the name 'Manic Panic' came to be

• The importance of passion in entrepreneurship

• Staying commited to innovation in product formula

• The power of community & support within the beauty industry

Video versions of our episodes are on our YouTube channel for you to watch:

https://youtu.be/zjb6xGEnPdo

Subscribe to our channel The Hair Game on YouTube and check out 'The Hair Game Podcast' playlist

Our podcast thrives on the opinions of you, the listener... if you have a moment (and you are an Apple user), please leave us a rating & review on the Apple podcasts app or iTunes!

Here's what you do:

Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

Click on the empty purple stars (5 is the best)!

Click on 'Write a Review'

and let us know what you love most!

Each rating & review helps us reach more and more of your fellow hair loves, and our goal is to help as many hairdressers as we can find success.

Thanks in advance!

@thehairgamepodcast

@salonrepublic

@loveerictaylor

HIGHLIGHTS • The Story Behind a Global Color Revolution w/Manic Panic Apr 13, 2026

Show notes

Key Takeaways:

• Inspiration for the origin of Manic Panic

• Musical past as backup singers for Blondie

• How the name 'Manic Panic' came to be

• The importance of passion in entrepreneurshuip

• Staying commited to innovation in product formula

• The power of community & support within the beauty industry

Video versions of our episodes are on our YouTube channel for you to watch:

https://youtu.be/zjb6xGEnPdo

Subscribe to our channel The Hair Game on YouTube and check out 'The Hair Game Podcast' playlist

Our podcast thrives on the opinions of you, the listener... if you have a moment (and you are an Apple user), please leave us a rating & review on the Apple podcasts app or iTunes!

Here's what you do:

Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

Click on the empty purple stars (5 is the best)!

Click on 'Write a Review'

and let us know what you love most!

Each rating & review helps us reach more and more of your fellow hair loves, and our goal is to help as many hairdressers as we can find success.

Thanks in advance!

@thehairgamepodcast

@salonrepublic

@loveerictaylor

Ep. 436 • Building A Dream Career Together w/Tanya and Neeko Abriol Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

In this engaging conversation, Tanya and Neeko Abriol discuss their marriage, their careers as celebrity hairdressers, and creating community in their workplace. They share insights on maintaining a strong relationship while working together, and offer valuable advice for young hairdressers starting their careers. If you want to learn more about finding passion in hairdressing, the importance of specialization, and the evolution of salon concepts, this is the episode for you. Additionally, they introduce their new product line, @miramepro, and share hair horror stories that highlight challenges faced in the profession that you can learn from. Key Takeaways: • Surfing as a therapeutic outlet for Neeko • Emphasizing the importance of mutual respect in marriage • The value of community and education in the hair industry • Encouraging young hairdressers to gain experience in salons • Specialization can lead to greater fulfillment • Fostering creativity and collaboration in the salon industry • Assisting as a valuable experience for new hairdressers • How digital education can enhance learning opportunities

Video versions of our episodes are on our YouTube channel for you to watch:

https://youtu.be/9_mO0oZ1YL8

Subscribe to our channel The Hair Game on YouTube and check out 'The Hair Game Podcast' playlist

Our podcast thrives on the opinions of you, the listener... if you have a moment (and you are an Apple user), please leave us a rating & review on the Apple podcasts app or iTunes!

Here's what you do:

Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

Click on the empty purple stars (5 is the best)!

Click on 'Write a Review'

and let us know what you love most!

Each rating & review helps us reach more and more of your fellow hair loves, and our goal is to help as many hairdressers as we can find success.

Thanks in advance!

@thehairgamepodcast

@salonrepublic

@loveerictaylor

HIGHLIGHTS • Building a Dream Career Together w/Tanya and Neeko Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

Video versions of our episodes are on our YouTube channel for you to watch:

https://youtu.be/9_mO0oZ1YL8

Subscribe to our channel The Hair Game on YouTube and check out 'The Hair Game Podcast' playlist

Our podcast thrives on the opinions of you, the listener... if you have a moment (and you are an Apple user), please leave us a rating & review on the Apple podcasts app or iTunes!

Here's what you do:

Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

Click on the empty purple stars (5 is the best)!

Click on 'Write a Review'

and let us know what you love most!

Each rating & review helps us reach more and more of your fellow hair loves, and our goal is to help as many hairdressers as we can find success.

Thanks in advance!

@thehairgamepodcast

@salonrepublic

@loveerictaylor