The Hair Game

Hosted by Salon Republic

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Episodes

634

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

The Hair Game is a series brought to you by Salon Republic and hosted by founder Eric Taylor, who, after 25 yrs in the hair game, has seen a lot of s#!@ go down. We go deep with the beauty industry's most interesting players, we educate and tell stories about the things you care about, and we get into the business side of the game so you can earn more and keep more. Also check out the video content on salonrepublic.com/thehairgame.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 8, 2026Episode 44151 min

Ep. 441 • Live at Revindiecon: Q&A w/ Adrienne Dara

Global artistic ambassador and educator @adriennedara joined us on stage live at the Revindiecon convention to discuss her unconventional path from fashion to hair, her approach to education, formulation, confidence, and business strategies for hairstylists. Discover practical tips on social media, pricing, policies, and building authentic client relationships. This Week's Topics: • Adrienne's path into the Hair Industry • The Role of Mentorship in Career Development • Transitioning to Education: A New Focus • Understanding Formulation and Color Theory • Building Confidence in Hairdressing • Navigating Business Challenges in the Salon Industry • Navigating Policies and Pricing in a Post-COVID World • The Relevance of Business Cards in Modern Marketing • Building Authentic Connections with Clients • Adapting to Changes in the Hair Industry 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! FOLLOW US @thehairgamepodcast @salonrepublic @loveerictaylor

June 8, 2026Episode 44111 min

HIGHLIGHTS • Live at Revindiecon: Q&A w/ Adrienne Dara

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. Global artistic ambassador and educator @adriennedara joined us on stage live at the Revindiecon convention to discuss her unconventional path from fashion to hair, her approach to education, formulation, confidence, and business strategies for hairstylists. Discover practical tips on social media, pricing, policies, and building authentic client relationships. This Week's Topics: • Adrienne's path into the Hair Industry • The Role of Mentorship in Career Development • Transitioning to Education: A New Focus • Understanding Formulation and Color Theory • Building Confidence in Hairdressing • Navigating Business Challenges in the Salon Industry • Navigating Policies and Pricing in a Post-COVID World • The Relevance of Business Cards in Modern Marketing • Building Authentic Connections with Clients • Adapting to Changes in the Hair Industry 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! FOLLOW US @thehairgamepodcast @salonrepublic @loveerictaylor

May 25, 2026Episode 44050 min

Ep. 440 • How Early Career Choices Brought New Opportunities w/ Anna Marti

@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! FOLLOW US @thehairgamepodcast @salonrepublic @loveerictaylor

May 25, 202612 min

HIGHLIGHTS • How Early Career Choices Brought New Opportunities w/ Anna Marti

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. @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! FOLLOW US http://www.instagram.com/thehairgamepodcast http://www.instagram.com/salonrepublic http://www.instagram.com/loveerictaylor

May 11, 202641 min

Ep. 439 • Unlock the Data Behind the Beauty Industry w/Alain Audet

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! FOLLOW US @thehairgamepodcast @salonrepublic @loveerictaylor

May 11, 202612 min

HIGHLIGHTS • Unlock the Data Behind the Beauty Industry w/Alain Audet

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 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! FOLLOW US @thehairgamepodcast @salonrepublic @loveerictaylor

April 27, 20261 hr 12 min

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

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! FOLLOW US @thehairgamepodcast @salonrepublic @loveerictaylor

April 27, 20269 min

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

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! FOLLOW US @thehairgamepodcast @salonrepublic @loveerictaylor

April 13, 202641 min

Ep. 437 • The Story Behind a Global Color Revolution w/Manic Panic

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! FOLLOW US @thehairgamepodcast @salonrepublic @loveerictaylor

April 13, 202611 min

HIGHLIGHTS • The Story Behind a Global Color Revolution w/Manic Panic

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 empnhasize 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 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! FOLLOW US @thehairgamepodcast @salonrepublic @loveerictaylor