The Hairdresser Strong Show

Hosted by Hatching Imagination, LLC

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200

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Nov 2026

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About the show

The Hairdresser Strong Show is all about Salon Owners, Rising Stylists, and Seasoned Stylists sharing their experiences, successes, failures, and advice to inform, educate, and empower their Fellow Hairdresser. We won’t stop until we are all: Hairdresser Strong.⁠

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November 9, 202651 min

Building a Career in Hair: Apprenticeships, Opportunity, and Perseverance | Greg Gilmore | Moroccan Oil Global Color Ambassador | Educator, Colorist, Celebrity Colorist

In this episode, Greg Gilmore, 23-year industry veteran, Moroccanoil Global Color Ambassador, celebrity colorist, and educator , shares his journey from cosmetology school in Cleveland to building a successful career in Los Angeles. Greg talks about the apprenticeships, mentors, and salon environments that shaped his career, what he learned from demanding employers, and why finding a place where you're valued matters. He also shares the challenges of moving across the country with limited savings, starting over without clients, and navigating financial setbacks along the way. We also discuss patience, professional standards, and understanding the value you bring to a team. Greg shares how these lessons continue to influence his work today, including his latest education initiative, TOUSLED , which brings foundational techniques and artistry into a more conversational learning experience. ✨Presented by GlossGenius✨ Earn more and get your time back with GlossGenius. Use code STRONG at glossgenius.com/hairdresserstrong for 50% off your first two months of a premium plan . Key Takeaways: 🔅 Find a salon where you're valued - Greg encourages new stylists to look for environments where they're supported, included, and given opportunities to learn. Pay attention to whether the salon is investing in your development and whether you're contributing value in return. 🔅 Apprenticeships teach more than technical skills - From answering phones and shampooing clients to observing experienced stylists, Greg learned how salons operate, how professionals communicate, and what clients expect. Those early experiences helped prepare him for working behind the chair. 🔅 There's value in learning someone else's way - Greg spent time working under a demanding salon owner who had strict expectations around cleanliness, organization, and customer service. Although the experience was difficult, he carried many of those professional standards throughout his career. His advice is to understand why a successful business operates a certain way before dismissing its rules. 🔅 Know what you bring to the table - Greg believes understanding your own value is just as important as evaluating what an employer offers. Consider what you're contributing to the business, how you're growing, and whether the relationship benefits both sides. 🔅 Starting over takes preparation and perseverance - Greg moved from Cleveland to Los Angeles with limited savings and no established clientele. He struggled to cover booth rent, lost his car, and spent months navigating a difficult commute. His experience shows how challenging a career move can become when you're rebuilding your business and finances at the same time. 🔅 Your existing clientele can help you through a transition - During his early struggles in Los Angeles, Greg eventually returned to Cleveland periodically to serve longtime clients and earn additional income. Maintaining those relationships gave him another way to support himself while establishing his new business. 🔅 Professional standards shape the client experience - Greg shares how attention to cleanliness, presentation, consultation, organization, and anticipating client needs influenced the type of professional he became. The technical service matters, but so does how clients experience the salon and the person providing it. 🔅 Pass on the knowledge that helped build your career - Through his new education initiative, TOUSLED, Greg wants to make foundational techniques and traditional approaches to textured hair more accessible to today's stylists. His focus is on helping pros understand the decisions behind their work and how those decisions connect to the client's lifestyle and needs. Follow/subscribe to be the first to know when new episodes are released. Like what you hear? Leave us a review! RELATED LINKS 📸 Follow Greg Gilmore on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/greg_gilmore/ 🌐 Explore Greg's website - https://modernhairitage.com/ 🎟️ Check out TOUSLED: Ready to Wear Hair with Greg Gilmore on November 15th, 2026, in Houston, TX - http://www.maneandtailored.com/store/p/tousled-ready-to-wear-hair-with-greg-gilmore The Hairdresser Strong Show is all about Salon Owners, Rising Stylists, and Seasoned Stylists sharing their experiences, successes, failures, and advice to inform, educate, and empower their Fellow Hairdresser. We won’t stop until we are all: Hairdresser Strong. CONNECT WITH US 📬 Subscribe to our free newsletter 📸 Connect on Instagram 🎵 Connect on TikTok 📺 Watch on YouTube 📝 Check out our Blog The views and opinions of our guests are theirs and important to hear. Each guest's views and opinions are their own and we aim to bring you diverse perspectives, career paths and thoughts about the craft and industry so you can become Hairdresser Strong! They do not necessarily reflect the positions of HairdresserStrong.com

November 2, 202645 min

From Behind the Chair to Brand Partnerships and Education: Building a Business Through Social Media | The Savvy Touch, aka Savannah Hicks | Founder of CIRL

In this episode, Savannah, aka The Savvy Touch , 10-year industry veteran, educator, content creator, and founder of CIRL (Curls in Real Life) , joins us to share how she built her personal brand and turned her success behind the chair into new opportunities. Savannah talks about building clientele in new cities, growing her social media presence, working with brands, and becoming an educator. She shares how mentorship, consistency, and staying true to herself helped her grow her business, along with what she's learned about making money through content and brand partnerships. We also get into her latest venture, CIRL , a platform bringing artists and educators together through education and community. Savannah shares her vision for what's next and advice for stylists looking to grow their careers beyond the chair. ✨Presented by GlossGenius✨ Earn more and get your time back with GlossGenius. Use code STRONG at glossgenius.com/hairdresserstrong for 50% off your first two months of a premium plan . Key Takeaways: 🔅 Build your skills before trying to build a platform - Savannah believes too many newer stylists are focused on becoming content creators before developing their technical foundation. Her advice is to spend time learning the craft, gaining experience, and building something valuable to share before chasing influence or education opportunities. 🔅 Your content needs to look and sound like you - Savannah credits much of her growth to creating a recognizable identity instead of constantly following trends. Her consistent style, personality, and approach to education have helped people immediately recognize her work. She encourages stylists to stop trying to recreate someone else's success and develop their own voice. 🔅 Word of mouth is still one of the strongest ways to build clientele - Even with a significant social media presence, Savannah says personal recommendations have been her most valuable source of new clients. Social media can attract attention, but a client who has experienced your work and recommends you to someone else brings a different level of trust. 🔅 You can build clientele before moving to a new city - When Savannah relocated to the DMV, she started creating locally targeted content months before arriving. By tagging nearby cities and building a waitlist, she was able to begin booking clients shortly after her move rather than starting completely from scratch. 🔅 Brand partnerships are about credibility, not follower count - Savannah began earning money through brand content before she had a massive following. She explains that brands value educators who understand their products, can explain why they use them, and create meaningful conversations with their audience. She also shares why she's willing to turn down partnerships that don't align with what she genuinely believes in. 🔅 Mentorship can open doors you didn't know existed - Savannah credits her mentor, Lisa of Forever Curls, with helping her develop as an educator and creating opportunities for her to grow. Being around someone who challenged her, believed in her abilities, and introduced her to new experiences played a major role in her career. 🔅 Content creation is a business that takes real work - Savannah breaks down the time and effort behind producing content, from recording and editing to voiceovers, planning, and delivering on brand agreements. She explains why content creation eventually became something she had to dedicate specific working time to rather than squeezing it in between clients. 🔅 Know when your personal brand is ready to become something bigger - Savannah created CIRL (Curls in Real Life) because she wanted to build an education and community platform that could grow beyond The Savvy Touch. Her goal is to bring different educators and techniques into the spotlight, create new opportunities, and give professionals a reason to keep coming back. 🔅 Consistency matters more than waiting for the perfect opportunity - Savannah encourages stylists to put themselves out there, take action, and keep improving. Whether you're creating content, teaching your first class, or approaching a mentor, showing up consistently creates opportunities that wouldn't exist if you waited until you felt completely ready. RELATED LINKS 📸Follow The Savvy Touch on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cirleducation/ 📸Follow CIRL on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cirleducation/ 🔗 Check out Savannah's linktr.ee for upcoming classes, CIRL events, products, and social media - https://linktr.ee/thesavvytouch Follow/subscribe to be the first to know when new episodes are released. Like what you hear? Leave us a review! The Hairdresser Strong Show is all about Salon Owners, Rising Stylists, and Seasoned Stylists sharing their experiences, successes, failures, and advice to inform, educate, and empower their Fellow Hairdresser. We won’t stop until we are all: Hairdresser Strong. CONNECT WITH US 📬 Subscribe to our free newsletter 📸 Connect on Instagram 🎵 Connect on TikTok 📺 Watch on YouTube 📝 Check out our Blog The views and opinions of our guests are theirs and important to hear. Each guest's views and opinions are their own and we aim to bring you diverse perspectives, career paths and thoughts about the craft and industry so you can become Hairdresser Strong! They do not necessarily reflect the positions of HairdresserStrong.com

October 26, 202643 min

From School to Salon to Brand Educator: How Social Media Shapes Career Expectations | Jessica (Jess) Udovich | Stylist at Salon Blonde | VoMor Extension Educator

In this episode, Jessica (Jess) Udovich, Stylist at Salon Blonde and VoMor Extension Educator , shares her journey from cosmetology school to working in a commission salon and becoming a brand educator, along with her perspective on how social media influences new stylists' career decisions. Jess talks about why certain apprenticeship programs turned her away, what attracted her to her current salon, and how hands-on experience and supportive leadership helped her grow. We also discuss how salons can better attract and retain new talent, the realities behind the career paths promoted on social media, and why understanding what young stylists actually want matters for both employers and students. ✨Presented by GlossGenius✨ Earn more and get your time back with GlossGenius. Use code STRONG at glossgenius.com/hairdresserstrong for 50% off your first two months of a premium plan . Key Takeaways: 🔅 How you present your salon matters - Jess wasn't opposed to structured training. She was turned off by salons that made her feel like everything she'd learned in beauty school didn't count. Owners should explain how their programs build on existing skills and help new stylists advance, rather than making the experience sound like starting school all over again. 🔅 Get new talent working with clients sooner - Jess valued being able to practice her skills and gradually take clients while continuing to assist and learn. Salon owners can create opportunities for newer stylists to perform services they're ready for, with appropriate supervision and support, instead of making them wait until they've completed an entire training program. 🔅 Social media shapes how students see their career options - The freedom and flexibility of independence can look appealing online, but the business responsibilities aren't always part of the conversation. Students should look beyond the lifestyle being promoted and understand what it takes to build clientele, manage expenses, and earn a sustainable income. 🔅 Industry days are recruiting opportunities - Jess's experience shows how much an employer's first impression matters. The way salon representatives describe their culture, training, and expectations can influence whether a student wants to apply. Owners should use these opportunities to show students what working for them could actually look like. 🔅 Meet new stylists where they are - Jess appreciated that her salon recognized what she already knew and helped her improve where she needed additional experience. Training should account for individual readiness instead of assuming every graduate needs the same amount of time or instruction before advancing. 🔅 Retention requires ongoing conversations - Jess admits there were times she considered leaving the industry. Her salon owner's willingness to listen, adjust, and support her development played an important role in keeping her there. Owners need to understand how their employees' goals are changing and how they can continue creating opportunities for them. 🔅 Career growth doesn't have to mean leaving your salon - Jess's move into extension education gave her another way to pursue her interest in teaching while continuing to work behind the chair. For students, it's an example of how a salon career can lead to opportunities beyond servicing clients. For owners, it's a reminder that supporting employees' interests outside their daily services can help keep them engaged. 🔅 The salon experience is part of the education - From understanding scheduling and salon operations to learning how to track performance and build a clientele, Jess gained experience that went beyond technical skills. Students should consider what they'll learn about the business of hairdressing when evaluating their first employer. RELATED LINKS 📸Follow Jess on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/Jess_Atrim/ Follow/subscribe to be the first to know when new episodes are released. Like what you hear? Leave us a review! The Hairdresser Strong Show is all about Salon Owners, Rising Stylists, and Seasoned Stylists sharing their experiences, successes, failures, and advice to inform, educate, and empower their Fellow Hairdresser. We won’t stop until we are all: Hairdresser Strong. CONNECT WITH US 📬 Subscribe to our free newsletter 📸 Connect on Instagram 🎵 Connect on TikTok 📺 Watch on YouTube 📝 Check out our Blog The views and opinions of our guests are theirs and important to hear. Each guest's views and opinions are their own and we aim to bring you diverse perspectives, career paths and thoughts about the craft and industry so you can become Hairdresser Strong! They do not necessarily reflect the positions of HairdresserStrong.com

October 19, 20261 hr 7 min

The Business Behind the Suite: What Successful Independents Do Differently | Kelly McCarthy-Westbrook | Vice President of Member Development | My Salon Suite

In this episode, Kelly McCarthy-Westbrook, Vice President of Member Development at My Salon Suite , joins us for a practical conversation about what actually separates successful independent beauty pros. She talks about knowing your numbers, managing money without letting emotion drive every decision, keeping clients coming back, setting goals, and understanding that being great behind the chair does not automatically mean you know how to run a business. She also shares why independence is not the right fit for everyone, how professionals can pivot without viewing the change as failure, and the different career paths available throughout the beauty industry. For salon owners, Kelly also offers insight into what can make a team environment attractive to modern talent, including clear career paths, strong culture, expectations, structure, and a sense of community. ✨Presented by GlossGenius✨ Earn more and get your time back with GlossGenius. Use code STRONG at glossgenius.com/hairdresserstrong for 50% off your first two months of a premium plan . Key Takeaways: 🔅 Independence is still business ownership - Moving into a suite removes some of the responsibilities of running a traditional salon, but you are still responsible for managing revenue, expenses, clients, pricing, marketing, and your own financial decisions. 🔅 Know your numbers before you make the move - Kelly emphasizes looking beyond revenue alone. Your schedule, client count, retention, services per client, retail, referrals, expenses, and available cash all help determine whether the business is actually working. 🔅 Keep business money and personal money separate - One of the biggest problems Kelly sees is money blending together. A business can appear busy and still create financial stress when income, expenses, and personal spending are not being managed intentionally. 🔅 A full book today does not guarantee a full book tomorrow - Successful independents still need to understand retention, referrals, client acquisition, and how to replace natural client attrition over time. The business needs attention even when the chair is busy. 🔅 Independence is not automatically the next level - Some professionals thrive working for a salon, some want to build and lead a team, and others want to work independently. Kelly encourages professionals to understand which path actually fits the career and life they want instead of assuming one model is inherently better. 🔅 A pivot is not necessarily a failure - Someone may move into a suite and later realize they miss structure, camaraderie, support, or simply do not want the responsibility of managing every part of the business. Changing direction can be a smart business decision. 🔅 Your career can expand without leaving the industry - Education, sales, brand work, school education, leadership, ownership, and independent work can all become part of a beauty professional's career. Kelly's career shows how many different directions a cosmetology license can lead. 🔅 Salon owners need to show people what staying can lead to - Clear career paths, culture, expectations, structure, and community make it easier for talent to understand what their future can look like inside a salon. RELATED LINKS 📸Follow Kelly on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kmacwestmss/ 📸 Follow My Salon Suite on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mysalonsuite/ Follow/subscribe to be the first to know when new episodes are released. Like what you hear? Leave us a review! The Hairdresser Strong Show is all about Salon Owners, Rising Stylists, and Seasoned Stylists sharing their experiences, successes, failures, and advice to inform, educate, and empower their Fellow Hairdresser. We won’t stop until we are all: Hairdresser Strong. CONNECT WITH US 📬 Subscribe to our free newsletter 📸 Connect on Instagram 🎵 Connect on TikTok 📺 Watch on YouTube 📝 Check out our Blog The views and opinions of our guests are theirs and important to hear. Each guest's views and opinions are their own and we aim to bring you diverse perspectives, career paths and thoughts about the craft and industry so you can become Hairdresser Strong! They do not necessarily reflect the positions of HairdresserStrong.com

October 12, 202642 min

Color With Purpose: From Technique to Artistic Intention | Brooke LeMasters | 2026 NAHA Haircolor Winner | Hair colorist, Educator, and Salon Owner of Bombshell Hair Studio

In this episode, Brooke LeMasters , 2026 NAHA Haircolor Winner, hair colorist, educator, and salon owner of Bombshell Hair Studio, joins us to talk about intentional artistry, brand-building, competition work, and creating color with a stronger point of view. Brooke talks about building a name through intentional work, client experience, competitions, education, and creative risk. She shares that her brand isn't just a logo or social media presence, but how she approaches consultation, custom formulation, color placement, client care, and the artistic decisions behind the work. Presented by GlossGenius Earn more and get your time back with GlossGenius. Use code STRONG at glossgenius.com/hairdresserstrong for 50% off your first two months of a premium plan . Follow/subscribe to be the first to know when new episodes are released. Like what you hear? Leave us a review! Key Takeaways: 🔅 Your brand is more than your logo - Brooke talks about brand as the way people experience your work. For her, that includes intention, consultation, custom formulas, color placement, scalp massage, hot towels, and making the client feel cared for. The brand is not just what people see online. It is what they feel in the chair. 🔅 Intentional work builds trust - Brooke’s approach starts with understanding the client’s life, hair, likes, dislikes, and goals before creating a roadmap with them. That level of intention helps clients feel included, comfortable, and confident in the process. 🔅 Custom work can become part of your signature - Brooke shares that she likes working with color lines that allow her to mix from scratch using neutrals and pure pigments. That customization becomes part of the value because clients know the formula and placement were created specifically for them. 🔅 Competitions require more than talent - Brooke breaks down how competition work involves planning, practice, models, wigs, wefts, photography, makeup, wardrobe, studio time, equipment, and investment. Winning is not just about having a good idea. It is about understanding the full production behind the image. 🔅 Start before it looks perfect - Brooke’s first competition submission was not a major production. She shot it in her salon, did a lot of it herself, and used it to get a feel for the process. The lesson is to start, learn, and build from there instead of waiting until every piece is perfect. 🔅 Find people who are better than you - One of Brooke’s strongest pieces of advice is to find someone doing what you want to do at a higher level, then ask to learn from them. Her competition path changed when she reached out, assisted, shadowed, asked questions, and built relationships with people already doing the work. 🔅 Purpose gives technique direction - Brooke’s class, Color With Purpose , focuses on the relationships between formulation, placement, contrast, tone, and theory. The point is not just knowing the color wheel. It is understanding why something works so stylists can make stronger decisions behind the chair. 🎤 Brooke LeMasters will be taking the stage at the TAPIstry Unveiled Hair Show & Art Expo on October 26th in Hagerstown, MD, where she’ll teach Color With Purpose , a class focused on the relationships between formulation, placement, contrast, tone, and technique so beauty professionals can create color that feels more intentional, customized, and refined. 🎟️Tickets + event details: www.theartistspaletteinvolved.org/hair-show-2026 The Hairdresser Strong Show is all about Salon Owners, Rising Stylists, and Seasoned Stylists sharing their experiences, successes, failures, and advice to inform, educate, and empower their Fellow Hairdresser. We won’t stop until we are all: Hairdresser Strong. CONNECT WITH US 📬 Subscribe to our free newsletter 📸 Connect on Instagram 🎵 Connect on TikTok 📺 Watch on YouTube 📝 Check out our Blog The views and opinions of our guests are theirs and important to hear. Each guest's views and opinions are their own and we aim to bring you diverse perspectives, career paths and thoughts about the craft and industry so you can become Hairdresser Strong! They do not necessarily reflect the positions of HairdresserStrong.com

October 9, 202639 min

[Special Event Promo] From Formula to Form: Smarter Technique, Stronger Artistry | Taylor Jameson | Sassoon-Trained Cutting Educator, Platform Artist + Razor Specialist and Lisa Houck | Salon Owner, Master Cosmetologist + Color Educator

In this episode, Taylor Jameson , Sassoon-trained educator, platform artist, and mentor, and Lisa Houck , salon owner, master cosmetologist, and educator, talk about why foundational education still matters, how understanding the “why” behind cutting and color gives stylists more creative control, and why consultation, communication, and technical decision-making are essential to creating stronger results behind the chair. For stylists, students, educators, and salon leaders, this conversation explores the balance between technique and artistry: how to build a real foundation, develop your artistic voice, avoid chasing trends without understanding them, and keep growing through mentorship, education, and hands-on learning. 🚨🎤 Taylor Jameson and Lisa Houck will also be taking the stage at the TAPIstry Unveiled Hair Show & Art Expo on October 26th in Hagerstown, MD. Taylor will bring her cutting and razor education to the stage, while Lisa will share color education focused on creativity, client consultation, and helping stylists create stronger results with more confidence. 🎟️ Tickets + event details: www.theartistspaletteinvolved.org/hair-show-2026 Key Takeaways: 🔅 Foundations make creativity stronger - Taylor and Lisa both point back to the importance of foundational education. The goal is not to limit creativity. It is to give stylists enough structure to understand what they are doing, repeat their results, and make better creative decisions behind the chair. 🔅 The “why” matters as much as the “how” - A stylist can learn a haircut, a color placement, or a trend, but without understanding why it works, it is harder to adjust it for the person in the chair. Strong education helps stylists connect technique to the client’s hair, goals, lifestyle, and desired result. 🔅 Consultation is part of the technical work - Lisa talks about how stylists have to understand what the client wants, what their needs are, how much time they are willing to spend, what features they want to bring out, and how they want to feel. The service does not start with the formula or the cut. It starts with the conversation. 🔅 Do not chase trends before learning the basics - Whether it is balayage, fashion color, razor cutting, or a specific haircut, the trend is not the foundation. The foundation is what allows the stylist to understand how to get there, when to adjust, and how to protect the integrity of the hair. 🔅 Your artistic voice needs something underneath it - Developing a signature style or artistic voice is not only about being creative, cool, or different. Taylor makes the point that you have to know what you are talking about. Your personality may get attention, but your foundation is what keeps people trusting your work. 🔅 One good takeaway can change your work - Taylor talks about the value of walking away from a class or show with even one thing you actually use. Education does not have to transform everything overnight. The real value comes when you take one useful idea, bring it back to the salon, and implement it. 🔅 Mentorship and education help protect the future of the industry - The conversation keeps coming back to students, new stylists, educators, and the next generation. Taylor and Lisa connect education with confidence, inspiration, community, scholarships, and giving back so stylists can keep growing instead of learning in isolation. 🚨🎤 Taylor Jameson and Lisa Houck will also be taking the stage at the TAPIstry Unveiled Hair Show & Art Expo on October 26th in Hagerstown, MD. Taylor will bring her cutting and razor education to the stage, while Lisa will share color education focused on creativity, client consultation, and helping stylists create stronger results with more confidence. 🎟️ Tickets + event details: www.theartistspaletteinvolved.org/hair-show-2026 The Hairdresser Strong Show is all about Salon Owners, Rising Stylists, and Seasoned Stylists sharing their experiences, successes, failures, and advice to inform, educate, and empower their Fellow Hairdresser. We won’t stop until we are all: Hairdresser Strong. CONNECT WITH US 📬 Subscribe to our free newsletter 📸 Connect on Instagram 🎵 Connect on TikTok 📺 Watch on YouTube 📝 Check out our Blog The views and opinions of our guests are theirs and important to hear. Each guest's views and opinions are their own and we aim to bring you diverse perspectives, career paths and thoughts about the craft and industry so you can become Hairdresser Strong! They do not necessarily reflect the positions of HairdresserStrong.com

October 5, 202649 min

Building Beyond the Platform: Community, Collaboration, and Coil Confidential | Jamal Edmonds | Owner of JE Parlour + Educator & Texture Expert and Yene Damtew | Stylist, Hair Loss Specialist + Founder & Owner of Aesthetics Salon

In this episode, Yene Damtew and Jamal Edmonds talk about what it really takes to build a platform with substance, from showing up professionally and maintaining authentic relationships to collaborating with brands, uplifting other educators, creating opportunities for local talent, and using influence to build community instead of keeping the spotlight only on themselves. They also share the origin and purpose behind Coil Confidential , an immersive textured-hair education event happening October 19 in Arlington, Virginia, created for stylists behind the chair and designed to bring together technical education, business conversations, community, and industry connection. 🚨🎤 Coil Confidential is a full-day textured-hair education experience created by Yene Damtew and Jamal Edmonds for stylists who want technical education, business conversations, community, and connection that reflect the real needs of professionals working behind the chair. 👀 Learn more and join us: https://www.coilconfidential.com/ Follow/subscribe to be the first to know when new episodes are released. Like what you hear? Leave us a review! Key Takeaways: 🔅 Build relationships before you need them - Yene and Jamal make it clear that Coil Confidential did not happen because of one post, one idea, or one moment of visibility. It came from years of maintaining relationships, showing up professionally, and building trust with brands, educators, salon owners, and industry peers. 🔅 Let authenticity be the foundation of your platform - Their platforms work because they are rooted in what they actually care about: textured hair, education, community, professionalism, and creating better opportunities in the industry. A strong platform is not about copying someone else’s lane. It is about being clear on your own. 🔅 Use your platform to create opportunity for others - Yene and Jamal could have centered themselves as the educators at their own event, but they chose to produce the experience and highlight other artists. That is a different level of leadership: using your credibility to open doors, not just stand in front of them. 🔅 Collaboration can build something bigger than one person can - A major theme of the conversation is that their partnership works because their strengths are different and their purpose is aligned. When collaboration is built on trust, honesty, and shared values, the final product becomes stronger than either person could create alone. 🔅 Professionalism is part of brand-building - They both talk about kindness, respect, not burning bridges, showing up prepared, doing the work, and understanding that people are always watching. Your reputation is not only built by what you post. It is built by how you act in rooms, on teams, with brands, and in difficult moments. 🔅 Influence is not the same as impact - The conversation pushes back on the idea that follower count automatically equals value. Coil Confidential is built around educators and professionals who can make a real difference, not just people with large audiences. The takeaway: build a platform that means something beyond numbers. 🔅 Create experiences with intention - Coil Confidential was designed around what Yene and Jamal felt was missing: education for textured-hair stylists behind the chair, business conversations, one main stage, community, thoughtful breaks, meaningful panels, and an experience where people feel their investment was worth it. 🚨🎤 Coil Confidential is a full-day textured-hair education experience created by Yene Damtew and Jamal Edmonds for stylists who want technical education, business conversations, community, and connection that reflect the real needs of professionals working behind the chair. 👀 Learn more and join us: https://www.coilconfidential.com/ The Hairdresser Strong Show is all about Salon Owners, Rising Stylists, and Seasoned Stylists sharing their experiences, successes, failures, and advice to inform, educate, and empower their Fellow Hairdresser. We won’t stop until we are all: Hairdresser Strong. CONNECT WITH US 📬 Subscribe to our free newsletter 📸 Connect on Instagram 🎵 Connect on TikTok 📺 Watch on YouTube 📝 Check out our Blog The views and opinions of our guests are theirs and important to hear. Each guest's views and opinions are their own and we aim to bring you diverse perspectives, career paths and thoughts about the craft and industry so you can become Hairdresser Strong! They do not necessarily reflect the positions of HairdresserStrong.com

September 29, 202645 min

From Corporate Beauty to Product Founder: Building a Science-Backed Haircare Brand | Nathan Puksta | Founder & CEO of Filament Sciences

In this episode, Nathan Puksta , Founder & CEO of Filament Sciences , shares how he went from corporate beauty at L’Oréal to becoming a licensed beauty professional, entrepreneur, and product founder building a science-backed haircare brand. Nathan talks about what it really takes to build a product line: understanding the market, solving a real problem, building relationships before you need them, working with chemists and manufacturers, developing a product from scratch, and knowing when an idea has true product-market fit. This conversation breaks down the reality behind beauty entrepreneurship and what it takes to build with strategy, science, and purpose. Follow/subscribe to be the first to know when new episodes are released. Like what you hear? Leave us a review! Key Takeaways: 🔅 Solve a real problem before you build the brand - Nathan explains that Filament did not start with a cute name, bottle, or general product idea. It started with a problem: hair damage, strengthening, repair, and the need for a professional solution that could serve both stylists and clients. Before launching anything, identify the actual problem your product is built to solve. 🔅 Do not confuse creativity with strategy - A product line cannot survive on “I like this idea” alone. Nathan talks about understanding the market, the consumer segment, the need state, and whether people are actually looking for what you want to sell. In beauty, strategy matters because the category is crowded, expensive, and competitive. 🔅 Build relationships before you need favors - A major part of Nathan’s startup story came from the network he built over years in the industry. He was able to call on chemists, manufacturers, raw material suppliers, packaging contacts, and people who trusted him because he had already built goodwill. For entrepreneurs, the work you do today can become the access you need later. 🔅 You do not have to be the chemist, but you do need to speak the language - Nathan is clear that he is not the person mixing molecules in the lab, but his background allowed him to brief experts, define the problem, understand the guardrails, and collaborate intelligently. The lesson is to let experts be experts, but learn enough to guide the vision and ask better questions. 🔅 Product-market fit matters more than personal preference - Nathan says you can have a beautiful brand and a fun idea, but if the market is not looking for what you are selling, it will be difficult to succeed. The product has to meet an actual need, fit where the industry is going, and give people a reason to care. 🔅 Use your own fingerprint as the brand advantage - Nathan’s advice to entrepreneurs is to focus on what makes you unique. Consumers and clients can feel when something is generic or inauthentic. The more clearly your brand reflects your real point of view, skill set, values, and experience, the more likely the right people are to connect with it. 🔅 Understand that entrepreneurship is not just inspiration, it is risk - Nathan is honest that Filament represents years of work, relationships, money, energy, and belief. Building a product line is not just launching something because it sounds exciting. At some point, you have to decide what you believe in, commit to the work, and understand what is truly at stake. RELATED LINKS 📸Follow Nathan on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nathaninthelab/ 📸Follow Filament Sciences on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/filamentsciences 🧬Learn more about Filament Sciences and the product - https://filamentsciences.com/ The Hairdresser Strong Show is all about Salon Owners, Rising Stylists, and Seasoned Stylists sharing their experiences, successes, failures, and advice to inform, educate, and empower their Fellow Hairdresser. We won’t stop until we are all: Hairdresser Strong. CONNECT WITH US 📬 Subscribe to our free newsletter 📸 Connect on Instagram 🎵 Connect on TikTok 📺 Watch on YouTube 📝 Check out our Blog The views and opinions of our guests are theirs and important to hear. Each guest's views and opinions are their own and we aim to bring you diverse perspectives, career paths and thoughts about the craft and industry so you can become Hairdresser Strong! They do not necessarily reflect the positions of HairdresserStrong.com

September 26, 202634 min

[Special Event Promo] Science Over Trends: Building Client Trust Through CURLtelligence™ | Stacey Solum Prescott | Curl Scientist, Educator, Author, CURLtelligence™ | Salon Owner, Beautifully You Salon + Hair Lab

Are trends helping or hurting curls? In this episode of the Hairdresser Strong Show, we spoke with Stacey Prescott , curl scientist, educator, master cosmetologist, salon owner, author, and creator of CURLtelligence™, about science Over trends. Stacey breaks down why curl care cannot only be based on trends, product claims, or one-size-fits-all advice. Her work focuses on understanding how natural curls actually behave, then using that knowledge to create better results, stronger consultations, and more trust with clients. 🚨🎤 Stacey Prescott will be taking the stage at the TAPIstry Unveiled Hair Show & Art Expo on October 26th in Hagerstown, MD, where she’ll introduce the fundamental principles behind CURLtelligence™ , an evidence-based framework that explains how natural curls actually behave and how beauty professionals can use that knowledge to create better results, stronger consultations, and more trust with clients. 🎟️ Tickets + event details: www.theartistspaletteinvolved.org/hair-show-2026 Key Takeaways: 🔅 Learn the why behind the product - Do not stop at “this is for frizz” or “this is for curls.” Stacey talks about understanding what ingredients actually do, when to use them, and when to adjust based on the client’s hair, goals, and environment. 🔅 Stop relying only on trend-based curl advice - Curl care cannot be built only on what is popular online. Stacey’s approach is about understanding how natural curls actually behave so stylists can make better choices behind the chair. 🔅 Use science to personalize the client experience - Better curl care comes from looking at the actual person in front of you: their curl pattern, hair condition, product history, climate, lifestyle, and what their hair is truly needing. 🔅 Client trust grows when you can explain what you are doing - When stylists can explain the reason behind a product, treatment, or technique, clients are more likely to understand the value and trust the recommendation. 🔅 Deeper knowledge can change the result - Stacey talks about clients who had been trying everything and still were not getting the outcome they wanted. Sometimes the shift comes from knowing what is actually happening in the hair, not adding more random products. 🔅 Mistakes are not failures - One of Stacey’s biggest mindset shifts was learning that mistakes reveal where you can grow. They do not mean you are not capable, and they do not define your worth as a professional. 🔅 Never stop learning - The industry keeps evolving, and Stacey’s work is built on continuing to study, question, test, and translate deeper knowledge into real work behind the chair. RELATED LINKS 📱Follow Stacey on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/byscurls/ 🔑Learn more about Stacey & CURLtelligence™ - https://linktr.ee/staceysolumprescott The Hairdresser Strong Show is all about Salon Owners, Rising Stylists, and Seasoned Stylists sharing their experiences, successes, failures, and advice to inform, educate, and empower their Fellow Hairdresser. We won’t stop until we are all: Hairdresser Strong. CONNECT WITH US 📬 Subscribe to our free newsletter 📸 Connect on Instagram 🎵 Connect on TikTok 📺 Watch on YouTube 📝 Check out our Blog The views and opinions of our guests are theirs and important to hear. Each guest's views and opinions are their own and we aim to bring you diverse perspectives, career paths and thoughts about the craft and industry so you can become Hairdresser Strong! They do not necessarily reflect the positions of HairdresserStrong.com

September 15, 202654 min

The Voice of a Hairdresser: Branding, Curating a Clientele, and Stepping Out of the Box | Ricky Hodge | Celebrity Hairstylist

In this episode, Ricky Hodge , celebrity hairstylist, educator, content creator, and 19-year industry veteran , shares his perspective on what it really means to stand out as a hairdresser. Ricky talks about stepping out of the box, building a personal brand, curating the right clientele, raising prices with confidence, and understanding that the haircut is only one part of the client experience. He also opens up about starting later in the industry, dealing with salon toxicity, becoming an educator, and using his platform to speak honestly about the profession. For hairstylists, barbers, students, and beauty pros who want to build a career that feels more intentional, this conversation explores the voice of the hairdresser: the ambition, frustration, self-awareness, presentation, relationships, and client standards that shape success behind the chair. Follow/subscribe to be the first to know when new episodes are released. Like what you hear? Leave us a review! Key Takeaways: 🔅 Step out of the box if you want to be recognized - Ricky says hairstylists often stay in a box by doing what they are told and moving through the motions. His perspective is that being different is part of becoming exceptional. For beauty pros, the takeaway is not to be different just to be different, but to find the thing that separates your work, your point of view, your presentation, or your client experience from everyone else. 🔅 Curate the clientele you actually want - Ricky does not just talk about building a clientele. He talks about curating one. That means your pricing, environment, presentation, timing, communication, and service experience should all point toward the kind of client you want more of. The clients you attract are often a reflection of how clearly you show up. 🔅 Remember that the haircut is not the whole experience - Ricky says when a client sits in your chair, the haircut is only part of what they are paying for. The rest is how you show up, how you dress, your website, your salon environment, the people around you, and the way the client feels through the experience. Technical skill matters, but it is not the only thing that builds value. 🔅 Use your schedule to know when to raise prices - Ricky’s pricing advice is tied to demand. When he was booked out two to three months, he raised his prices aggressively, not just to make more money, but to create space and reshape his clientele. For stylists, the takeaway is to stop guessing and start looking at your schedule, demand, availability, and capacity before making pricing decisions. 🔅 New stylists need real hands-on experience - Ricky believes new cosmetology graduates should work in a salon environment after school, but he pushes back on the idea that they should only sweep hair, shampoo, and hand foils for a year. His view is that new stylists need support, training, and real opportunities to get their hands in the work so they can grow faster and stay in the profession. 🔅 Toxic salon culture pushes good people out - Ricky shares that he would have stayed at one of his early salons if he had been treated well. Instead, the lack of support, jealousy, and toxic behavior pushed him to leave and build his own path. For owners, the takeaway is clear: if you want to keep ambitious people, you have to address the culture, have real conversations, and support the people who are trying to grow. 🔅 Build a voice, not just a following - Ricky talks about having a platform and wanting to use his voice because he has something to say. His audience did not grow only because of hair technique. It grew because of his point of view, his transparency, his positivity, and the way he talks about the value of hairdressers. The takeaway is that branding is not just being seen. It is being known for something. RELATED LINKS 📸Follow Ricky on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rickyhodge/ 📸Learn more about Ricky - https://www.rickyhodge.com/ The Hairdresser Strong Show is all about Salon Owners, Rising Stylists, and Seasoned Stylists sharing their experiences, successes, failures, and advice to inform, educate, and empower their Fellow Hairdresser. We won’t stop until we are all: Hairdresser Strong. CONNECT WITH US 📬 Subscribe to our free newsletter 📸 Connect on Instagram 🎵 Connect on TikTok 📺 Watch on YouTube 📝 Check out our Blog The views and opinions of our guests are theirs and important to hear. Each guest's views and opinions are their own and we aim to bring you diverse perspectives, career paths and thoughts about the craft and industry so you can become Hairdresser Strong! They do not necessarily reflect the positions of HairdresserStrong.com