Destroy The Hairdresser

Hosted by Destroy The Hairdresser

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Episodes

327

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Destroy The Hairdresser is an industry podcast dedicated to helping salon owners and hairdressers salon differently.

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60 recent

August 20, 202629 min

Nobody Cares About Your Views

Social media was supposed to be a tool for your business. Somewhere along the way, it became the place we measure our success, compare ourselves to everyone else, look for community, consume endless information, and decide whether or not we're doing enough. In this episode, Cyd and David talk about what happens when hairdressers start confusing views with value, why going viral doesn't necessarily mean you're making money, cancel culture, the fear of being perceived online, and why consuming too much content might actually be making you worse at creating it. They also get into the shift they're seeing away from traditional social media and toward smaller, intentional online communities. Because the goal isn't to disappear from the internet. It's to stop letting the internet run your business. That's exactly why they created the Hairdresser Business Club and the DTH app: a place for hairdressers and salon owners to get education, ask questions, connect with people who actually understand this industry, and build better businesses without relying on Instagram to be their teacher, community, and measuring stick. Use social media to grow your business. Then get the hell off of it. Join the Hairdresser Business Club and get your first two weeks free.

August 13, 202616 min

The Hairdresser's Confidence Gap

Every time you open Instagram, you're being sold a new way to run your business. A new pricing model. A new marketing strategy. A new "must-have" service. It's no wonder so many salon owners feel stuck, overwhelmed, and constantly questioning themselves. In this episode, David dives into the growing confidence crisis facing hairdressers and salon owners and explores how endless content consumption can quietly fuel doubt instead of growth. He shares why community has become more important than ever, how to know when social media is helping versus hurting you, and why building a business requires trusting your own decisions—not chasing every trend that shows up in your feed. If you've been feeling uncertain, burnt out, or like everyone else has the answers except you, this conversation is a reminder that confidence isn't built through more scrolling—it's built through connection, support, and taking consistent action alongside people who are growing with you. Want community? Join the Hairdresser Business Club and get your first two weeks free.

August 7, 20269 min

Your stylist accepted a new job. They weren't kidnapped.

Your stylist accepted a new job. They weren't kidnapped. In this episode, I'm talking about one of the weirdest things we've normalized in the salon industry: treating hiring like stealing, recruiting like poaching, and quitting like a personal attack. Somewhere along the way, we stopped seeing career moves as a normal part of business and started treating them like betrayals. But what if we've been asking the wrong questions? What if your team doesn't belong to you? What if someone leaving your salon isn't a reflection of your leadership, but simply the next chapter in their career? In this episode, we're unpacking: Why the salon industry has made hiring so emotional The problem with calling recruitment "poaching" Why great leaders aren't afraid of people leaving How to build a culture people choose—not one they feel trapped in The mindset shift every salon owner needs to make about hiring, firing, and career transitions If this conversation makes you a little uncomfortable... good. That's usually where the growth starts. 🖤 Want to go deeper? Inside the Hairdresser Business Club , we have classes on hiring, firing, leadership, culture, and building a salon people actually want to be part of. We skip the fluff and get straight to the conversations that move your business forward. Join the Club here: https://www.destroythehairdresser.com/offers/DbMChf8w/checkout

July 31, 202655 min

She Built a Business for Freedom. Then Cancer Tested It. With Guest: Elma Siljkovic

In this episode, David sits down with former Destroy The Hairdresser student Elma Siljkovic, owner of Queen of Swords in Brooklyn, to share one of the most powerful stories we've ever featured on the podcast. After building a salon around systems, trust, and sustainability instead of hustle, Elma was faced with an unimaginable challenge: a cancer diagnosis. Because her business wasn't built to depend entirely on her, she was able to step away, focus on treatment, and give herself the space to heal without watching everything she had worked for fall apart. This conversation isn't just about salon ownership. It's about building a business that supports your life during the best moments—and the hardest ones. Elma shares how rethinking the traditional salon model gave her the freedom to prioritize her health, trust her team, and return stronger than ever. Whether you're behind the chair every day or leading a growing team, this episode is a reminder that the most successful businesses aren't the ones that demand everything from you—they're the ones that give something back when you need it most.

July 23, 202623 min

The $10 Haircare Problem

e.l.f. just launched an entire haircare line with products priced at $10 or less, and most of the industry is talking about the products themselves. We're talking about what this launch actually means. In this episode, Cyd and David unpack why e.l.f.'s move into haircare is a warning sign for the salon industry, what happens when massive consumer brands decide they no longer need hairdressers to sell products, and why the traditional retail model may be reaching a breaking point. From Target shelves and TikTok Shop to affiliate sales and consumer trust, this conversation goes far beyond shampoo. It's about the future of retail, the changing role of the hairdresser, and why competing on products alone may no longer be enough. If you've ever wondered why clients are buying more products than ever but less of them from salons, this episode is for you. 🎧 Listen now and join the conversation. 💣 Ready to build a business that isn't dependent on outdated industry rules? Join the Hairdresser Business Club and get your first two weeks free. 🎟️ Want to experience DTH live? Grab your seat for The Disobedience Business Tour in NYC this July and learn how salon owners across the country are creating businesses that work differently.

July 9, 202617 min

We're Breaking the Rules Again

Everyone says their event is "different." So what actually makes The Disobedience Business Tour different? In this episode, Cyd and David pull back the curtain on why they created the tour, what attendees can expect, and why this isn't another weekend of watching stage demos you'll forget by Monday. From uncomfortable conversations and bold business ideas to real coaching, honest stories, and a room full of people who refuse to settle for "the way it's always been done," the tour is designed to challenge the way you think about leadership, money, hiring, pricing, and what it means to build a salon business that actually supports your life. If you've been wondering whether this event is for you, this episode is your backstage pass. You'll hear the vision behind the tour, the impact they hope it has on the industry, and why some of the biggest breakthroughs happen when you're willing to question everything. 🎧 Listen now and find out why we're calling this the most disobedient event in the salon industry. 💣 Ready to experience it for yourself? Grab your ticket to The Disobedience Business Tour and join us in New York City. Whether you're a salon owner, independent stylist, or future leader, you'll leave with new ideas, new connections, and a completely different perspective on what's possible. 🤝 Looking for coaching beyond the event? Join the Hairdresser Business Club and get your first two weeks free for weekly coaching, live classes, and a community of salon professionals who are building businesses differently.

July 3, 202624 min

The Uncertain Hairdresser

What if the biggest sign you're ready to open a salon... is that you're not sure you should? In this episode, David shares a pattern he's noticed after years of discovery calls with salon owners around the world. The people who seem the most confident aren't always the most prepared. Meanwhile, the hairdressers questioning themselves, thinking through every decision, and feeling the weight of the responsibility are often the ones best equipped to build something that lasts. We dive into why uncertainty isn't weakness, how overconfidence can become a blind spot, and what separates a dream from a business that actually works. If you've been thinking about opening your own salon or wondering if you're truly ready, this conversation might completely change the way you see your self-doubt. If you're craving honest conversations about leadership, business, and building a salon differently, come join us inside the Hairdresser Business Club . And if you're ready to experience Destroy The Hairdresser live, grab your seat for the Disobedient Business Tour in NYC before it's sold out. We can't wait to see you there.

June 25, 202621 min

Celebrities, Fashion Week & The Biggest Lie in Editorial Hair

Celebrities, Trends & Fashion Week: The Truth About Editorial Hair Everyone wants to work Fashion Week—until they find out what it's actually like. In this episode of the Destroy The Hairdresser Podcast, Cyd and David pull back the curtain on the world of celebrity hairdressing, editorial work, and Fashion Week. From working backstage under intense pressure to chasing opportunities that often pay little (or nothing), we discuss the realities that most hairdressers never hear about. And yes—we even talk about why Fashion Week can feel like a scam. But here's the twist: that doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. Editorial work has the power to stretch your creativity, build your confidence, expand your network, and expose you to parts of the industry most hairdressers never experience. Some of the most valuable lessons you'll learn behind the chair happen backstage, on set, and outside the salon. In this episode, we discuss: What it's really like working with celebrities The truth about Fashion Week and editorial opportunities Why so many artists romanticize editorial work What editorial experience can teach you about your craft How stepping outside the salon can make you a stronger hairdresser Why every hairdresser should experience editorial work at least once Whether you've always dreamed of working Fashion Week or you're wondering if editorial hair is worth the hype, this episode offers an honest look at an often misunderstood side of the beauty industry. Want more conversations that challenge conventional industry thinking? Join us inside the Hairdresser Business Club , where salon owners and hairstylists gather every week for business coaching, marketing support, leadership development, and real conversations about the future of our industry. And don't miss the Disobedient Tour. We're hitting cities across the country to help hairdressers rethink success, challenge outdated industry rules, and build careers on their own terms. Listen now and discover why Fashion Week might be both the biggest scam and one of the best experiences, you'll ever have as a hairdresser.

June 18, 202620 min

How to Ruin Your Clients Forever

What if we told you the fastest way to ruin your clients is to switch to hourly pricing? In this episode of the Destroy The Hairdresser Podcast, Cyd and David break down why so many clients become completely spoiled once they experience time-based pricing. No more surprise charges. No more confusing service menus. No more feeling like they're being upsold every five minutes. Instead, clients get transparency, trust, and the freedom to book based on their goals,not a list of services they don't fully understand. The truth? Once clients experience hourly pricing, many of them never want to go back to traditional salon pricing models. We discuss: Why clients are actually asking for more transparency How hourly pricing changes the salon experience The psychology behind why clients prefer time-based pricing Common fears salon owners have before making the switch Why the future of pricing may look very different than the past If you've ever wondered whether hourly pricing could work in your business or why so many salon owners are making the change, this episode is for you. Want help implementing modern pricing models, improving profitability, and building a salon business that actually works for your life? Join us inside the Hairdresser Business Club, where we host weekly coaching, business classes, marketing support, and real conversations with salon owners who are challenging industry norms every day. And if you're ready to experience Destroy The Hairdresser in person, grab your tickets for the Disobedient Tour. We're traveling across the country helping salon owners rethink everything they thought they knew about leadership, pricing, culture, and the future of the salon industry. Listen now and find out why hourly pricing might just ruin your clients forever, in the best possible way.

June 11, 202623 min

Down Memory Lane: Why Success Doesn't Eliminate Stress

In this nostalgic (and slightly chaotic) episode of the Destroy The Hairdresser Podcast, Cyd and David take a trip down memory lane and revisit their early days living in New York City. From tiny apartments and big dreams to career pivots and financial uncertainty, they share stories that shaped who they are today. But this episode isn't just about looking back. It's a reminder that every stage of life comes with challenges. When you're starting out, you stress about making enough money. As you grow, you stress about maintaining momentum, supporting a team, raising a family, and protecting what you've built. The problems change but they never completely disappear. If you've been telling yourself, "I'll finally be happy when..." this conversation may be exactly what you need to hear. Join us inside the Hairdresser Business Club , where salon owners and hairstylists come together every week for coaching, business strategy, marketing support, and honest conversations about what it really takes to build a sustainable career behind the chair. And don't forget, the Disobedient Tour is back. If you're ready to challenge industry norms, rethink how you run your business, and connect with other rebellious hairdressers, grab your tickets and come hang out with us in person. Because success isn't about reaching a destination, it's about learning how to navigate every chapter along the way. 🎙️✨ Want more conversations like this?