How To Cut It in the Hairdressing Industry

My guest today is one of the most motivational coaches and speakers you'll ever come across in the hair industry. I'm sitting down for a conversation with Alan Austin-Smith, who is the co-founder of The Fantastic Hairdresser – an educational programme that offers a unique range of courses, business coaching and programmes for the hair industry. Alan's philosophy is – "50% of what makes someone ‘fantastic’ at their job - has nothing to do with their job. It’s the other stuff that makes the difference - communication skills, confidence, self motivation, customer delight etc..." In todays episode, Alan is going to share this philosophy that has helped thousands of hairdressers, barbers and salon owners change the way they work. Showing you how focusing on ‘the other stuff’ will lead to more success, profit and financial freedom. I'll guarantee that after you've listened in to Alan's story and motivational words today, that you'll be more pumped up and inspired about hairdressing than you were before you first tuned! It's an uplifting listen from a hair industry legend! As Alan say's: “If you want change, change something!”. So what are you waiting for! Hit that play button and get started to your new steps of becoming a Fantastic Hairdresser!   Thanks for Listening To share your thoughts: Leave a note in the comment section below. Ask a question by emailing me HERE Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes. Subscribe by Email Special thanks to Alan Austin-Smith for joining me today. Until next time!

Hair loss from any cause is deeply traumatising for many people. Coping with hair loss is made even more challenging by confusing terminology, misleading information and a general lack of empathy towards its psychological impact. That's why I'm really pleased to be joined by Dr Sharon Wong, a leading Consultant Dermatologist who's going to get us ahead with hair loss. She's going to be sharing her expertise on hair loss, what's the best way for hairdressers to deal with clients suffering hair loss, and how her new Get Ahead of Hair Loss charity event will be offering all the latest updates in hair loss and its treatments directly from leading UK experts in hair science, dermatology, trichology, hairdressing, cosmetic camouflage and psychology. Dr Sharon Wong is an authoritative voice when it comes to hair loss and scalp disorders, and has this reputation for good reason. She has presented extensively at national and international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals. She is also a spokesperson for the British Skin Foundation (BSF) and is a medical advisor for the Cicatricial Alopecia Research Foundation. Dr Sharon Wong has so much to offer on today's show when it comes to hair loss. Hair loss of any kind is a truly traumatic time for anyone and that's why as hairdressers we need a much better understanding of it. So be sure to listen in to this episode today – you owe it both to yourself and your clients that are suffering the stresses of hair loss. So what are you waiting for! Hit that play button!! Thanks for Listening To share your thoughts: Leave a note in the comment section below. Ask a question by emailing me HERE Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes. Subscribe by Email Special thanks to Dr Sharon Wong for joining me today. Until next time! ​ ​

Today I have a very special guest: Sophia Hilton owner of Not Another Salon, Not Another Academy, and Not Another Social! An originator, influencer, creator, entrepreneur, giver, and a huge global following of superfans has turned Sophia into a hairdressing superstar. And in today's episode I'm super-buzzed and honoured to be bringing this very special lady back on to the show to hear whats been going down in her world since we last spoke back in Episode 006. Believe me, you really won't to miss this one! At just 30 years of age, Sophia has achieved so much in her career already and shows no signs of letting up. In only two and half years she has opened the Not Another Salon, delivers over 65 courses a year with the Not Another Academy, and most recently launched Not Another Social. And to top all this off, she's recently became a mum to her bay son, Hendrix. Not much, eh!? Today we're going to be talking all about the growth of her Not Another brands, becoming a new mum and some juicy exclusives into her new, never been done before, affordable social media consultancy for the hair industry. This episode is packed full, and at times, touched with genuine emotion from Sophia. I feel extremely privileged to have her share with us all so many areas of her business and personal life. This is an interview that will give you very rare and better understanding of who the real Sophia Hilton is... something that Instagram can never do! So sit back, relax, and enjoy – this is Not Another Podcast! Thanks for Listening To share your thoughts: Leave a note in the comment section below. Ask a question by emailing me HERE Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes. Subscribe by Email Special thanks to Sophia Hilton for joining me today. Until next time!

Creating awesome hair photography isn't easy, but get it right and it could be game changer for your hairdressing career! Before you go off shooting that next photoshoot of yours, there are many factors that you need to consider, like retouching your photos and why you may need to take a fresh themed approach to your hair collections. This is why I've invited multi-award winning photographer Tony Le-Britton onto the show today. We're about to dive into a valuable lesson on hair photography, so I'd highly recommend you listen in to my conversation with one of the most celebrated hair photographers in the UK. Photographing your hair collections can be a massive investment, so maximising them to their full potential makes perfect sense. But how do you go about this? Who do you work with? What to do with your photographed hair collection? These are some of the questions you need to ask yourself. Get it wrong and it could have a massive impact on your cashflow and the future creative projects you work on. Get it right and the industry, media and consumer accolades can quickly follow. Tony has many of the answers for us today. He works with some of the worlds largest brands, salons and hairdressing royalty, shooting covers, editorials and campaigns worldwide fashion. Today he's teaching us many things we need to understand if you really want to create awesome hair photography. This episode is critical for any hairstylists or barbers that are considering, plotting or embarking on a photoshoot that captures their hair work. If that includes you, than listen in – it might just be your GAME CHANGER!!   Thanks for Listening To share your thoughts: Leave a note in the comment section below. Ask a question by emailing me HERE Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes. Subscribe by Email Special thanks to Tony Le-Britton for joining me today. Until next time!

Tuttii Fruittii London is not your conventional hair salon! Owners Tuttii Fruitti and Toni Tits passion of Clown and Hair artistry have come together to bring the local community of Deptford, South East London a unique space that is more than a salon. In a space that's promoting self empowerment and creative freedom through identity expression, today we're going to learn more on why these two clown hair sculptors are challenging the NORM!. Tuttii and Toni's hairdressing story is filled with rebelling against what they see to be societies preconceived ideas on what the beauty norms are and oppressive discriminatory stereotypes. In this episode we're going to hear how the Tuttii Fruittii London salon started out as caravan sat within a the grounds of a Deptford primary school, before going on to become a fixed bricks and mortar high street shop that promotes hair pride for all genders and hair types. I'm really excited to introduce you all to these two young ladies who are bringing their varied social, political and expression of nonconformity beliefs to the hair industry, reminiscent to that of the punk movement. So let's get the ball rolling as we dive into a bowl full of technicolour fruits for all genders and hair types – Tuttii Fruittii London. Enjoy the juice!   Thanks for Listening To share your thoughts: Leave a note in the comment section below. Ask a question by emailing me HERE Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes. Subscribe by Email Special thanks to Tuttii and Toni for joining me today. Until next time!

Anna Cofone is on the show today, and she's about to lay down the realities on what it takes to become a session stylist. If you're considering entering into this high-octane, fast moving and competitive side of the industry, I know that this episode with Anna will be one of the best listens you'll have to working as a session stylist, EVER! Anna is at the top of the game right now when it comes to being a leading session stylist, but this didn't just happen overnight for her. It has been her hard working ethic installed by her inspirational father of giving blood, sweat and tears to your cause that has enabled her to get to where she is today. Starting her hairdressing career over 10 years ago with salon group Harringtons after developing a passion for hair whilst studying performing arts, it wasn't until she was given several international fashion projects to work on after winning the L’Oreal 2001 Talent Spotting competition that shaped Anna's decision to pursue a career as a session stylist. Now a top international session stylist, she spends her time travelling the globe shooting for all the leading fashion publications, working on high-profile runway shows, as well as frequently collaborating with singers Lana Del Ray and Dua Lipa. This episode is jam-packed full with insight after insight into what it really takes to become a session stylist. And be sure you stick around to the end of my chat with Anna. She's going to be offering someone the amazing opportunity to assisting her in this hard working world of fashion, runway shows, collaborations and more! Buzzing for it? I am, so lets get to it! Thanks for Listening To share your thoughts: Leave a note in the comment section below. Ask a question by emailing me HERE Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes. Subscribe by Email Special thanks to Anna Cofone for joining me today. Until next time!

Kaye Sotomi is a massively successful businessman and the co-founder of Chop-Chop. Being someone who's from outside the hair industry, I'm excited by how Kaye's fresh perspective to the industry has enabled him to create a new concept thats disrupting hair salon services and digital business. Today we're sitting down with Kaye to chat about Chop-Chop's unique concept. We'll learn about how it's infused connectivity and mobility into it's ethos, why their team of seasoned-professionals are all made up of freelance hair stylists, how it's salons offers 24 menu hairstyles that can all be done in just 20 minutes, and The Pod – a beautifully designed pop up mobile salon. Many great business moments start with that lightbulb spark. From the moment Kaye's conversation with Chop-Chop's co-founder, Laure Ferrand on how she had very little time to sit in a salon to get her thick curly hair cut - the Chop-Chop concept was born! The rest is history! Now with 3 Chop-Chop salons and a recently opened pod in Eurostar, St. Pancras the growth of Chop-Chop is to be rapid – think train stations, shopping centres, gyms, airports and all your city hotspots. If you've thought that there's nothing new that can be done in salon concepts, then you won't want to miss out on this episode! Kaye has ripped up the rule book to the traditional side of hair salon services. His approach for Chop-Chop may not be for everyone, but for those running from desk to dinner or gym to the bar – the Chop-Chop speed of services with a affordable price tag is hugely appealing. In with the earbuds and lets dive straight in!   Thanks for Listening To share your thoughts: Leave a note in the comment section below. Ask a question by emailing me HERE Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes. Subscribe by Email Special thanks to Kaye Sotomi for joining me today. Until next time!  

Is it possible to take your salon to become a 7 figures business with a team of multiple stylists earning over 6 figures? You bet it is! Today we're talking to leading Salon Coach, David Barnett – former co-owner with his wife Nicole of Brush Salon in California, where in 5 years they grew their business to be taking 7 figures! And in this awesome episode he's going to be sharing how you too can achieve a highly profitable business either as a stylist or salon. David and Nicole sold Brush in 2016 to focus 100% on coaching stylists and salon owners. Their online program, “The High-Performance Stylist” and “The 7 Figure Salon”, is now allowing salons and stylists all over the world to transform their salons into systematic, highly profitable businesses and their teams into career focused professionals. David is here today to talk us through his story from how he went from 10 years working at Toni & Guy, Dublin, to working as a stylist earning 6 figures at the John Barrett Salon, New York, to how this then inspired him to open in 2009 their Brush Salon. Now coaching salons that range in size from the single chair salon suite to the 50 chair, urban life-style salon, he'll also be revealing how he can give you the techniques and guidance to take your salon to a highly profitable business. If you one day dream of having a salon taking 7 figures, then listening to this podcast could be the start of making that dream a reality. Now let that journey begin!   Thanks for Listening To share your thoughts: Leave a note in the comment section below. Ask a question by emailing me HERE Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes. Subscribe by Email Special thanks to David Barnett for joining me today. Until next time!  

After introducing a young mens hairdresser to the stage of HairClubLive's #OpenChairNight Autumn tour 2017, I knew right then a new industry star was born. In Edition 5 of Showcasing the Young Guns of Hair – a series dedicated to putting the spotlight on the rising stars of the hair and barbering industry – I'm buzzing to introduce you all to that young mens hairdresser: Joey Power, co-owner and creative director of Eighty8 barber shop. Not taking the conventional route in to the industry, Joey started out working in his dads metal recycling business before getting into the hair industry. Taking over 6 months to pluck up the courage to tell his dad that he wanted to go in to hairdressing, Joey has never looked back since that day. Today we're going to hear how one to one mentoring with leading mens hairdresser, Dale Ted Watkins was in part responsible for Joey going on to work with a former guest of How To Cut It, Johnny Shanahan at BarberBarberUK, Spitalfields, London as senior barber & head of the show team. Most recently, Joey has teamed up with business partner Joe Sloan to form Eighty8, a unique education facility and barber shop, where he is the Creative Director, something he's about to tell you more about. As with all our Showcasing editions, Joey's going to reveal to us his career goals for the year ahead, along with his ultimate longterm goal. I can't wait to hear if reaches some of these goals when I bring he back on to the show in July 2019. Listen in and enjoy the ride with Joey Power!   Thanks for Listening! To share your thoughts: Leave a note in the comment section below. Ask a question by emailing me HERE Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes. Subscribe by Email Special thanks to Joey Power for joining me today. Until next time!

I'm joined in this episode by award-winning hairdresser and businessman, Phil Smith – the proud owner of Be Gorgeous product haircare range and Smith Salon England. Today Phil is going to share with you the realities of what it's like to being the owner of 28 Toni & Guy global salons and a hairdresser at the top of their game – warts and all! An open and honest guy, I really enjoyed Phil's candid conversation of his story in hairdressing. As someone who consistently pushing forward Phil has both done and experienced it all in the hair industry. A multi-salon owner, award winner, celebrity hairdresser, international showman and lately, industry business activist, his experiences will be a great motivator (and leveller) for you all. Consolidating his 28 global Toni & Guys units into one flagship Smith England salon, Phil made the bold decision that less is more. This move has allowed Phil to focus his energy on campaigning for better business rates, building his brand, tending to his loyal clientele and supporting his 21 year daughter Ellie who last year joined the family business. Working in hairdressing offers you so many wonderful opportunities to grow within it, something that Phil never shy's away from. If you harbour ambitions to one day be a multi-salon group owner, having your own brand hair care product line, or to be an award-winning hairdresser, then this episode is an honest interview to just some of the things you may experience on your journey to achieving this. It's a valuable lesson, so let's dive in! Thanks for Listening! To share your thoughts: Leave a note in the comment section below. Ask a question by emailing me HERE Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes. Subscribe by Email Special thanks to Phil Smith for joining me today. Until next time!  

Creating a unique niche, story and voice could set you apart to become an influencer within the hairdressing space. Curious to know more, then I can't recommend highly enough listening in to todays episode. Because joining me to shed light on this fascinating subject, is one of the most respected and leading PR's and Consultant's from the hair and beauty industry - Naomi Scroggins of Headonic PR. Working with top session and industry talent, Naomi knows a thing or two when it comes to raising the profile of hairdressers within the industry and consumer press. As the former Communications and Events Director for L’Oréal Professional Products Division for almost 16 years, she's worked on some of L’Oréal Professionnel's key brands, along with overseeing the L’Oréal Colour Trophy and L’Oréal Professionnel Portfolio of Artistic Hairdressers. Naomi is the perfect go-to (and wonderful) person when helping you find your niche, story and voice within the hairdressing space. The lessons she's about to share with you are priceless – just listen in to hear why! Thanks for Listening! To share your thoughts: Leave a note in the comment section below. Ask a question by emailing me HERE Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes. Subscribe by Email Special thanks to Naomi Scroggins for joining me today. Until next time!  

Becoming a newly qualified hairstylist is a BIG deal! But becoming a new qualified hairstylist at one of the hottest salon names in hairdressing right now, is an even BIGGER deal! To share this moment I've Tegan Robertson aka 'The Totally Tropical Dream Queen' on the show today, who has recently done just that – successfully completing her training apprenticeship under the guidance of leading hairdresser, Sophia Hilton at 'Not Another Salon'. A perfect role model for young people starting out in their hairdressing career, we're going to hear first-hand on Tegan's  journey into hair and what the industry really means for her. She'll also be sharing the trials and tribulations of what it’s really like to be an apprentice, and more so what it’s like to be a millennial in our ever changing industry. I love nothing better than putting the spotlight on hairdressings next generation and hearing them talk of their future goals, dreams and visions – something that Tegan is about to reveal to us all today. And as with all our 'Showcasing The Young Guns of Hair' guests, I can't wait to bring Tegan back in one years time to hear if she's hit those goals that she has set herself. Let's get comfy and listen in to Tegan's multi-coloured world!   Thanks for Listening! To share your thoughts: Leave a note in the comment section below. Ask a question by emailing me HERE Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes. Subscribe by Email Special thanks to Tegan Robertson for joining me today. Until next time!  

John Spanton is the Creative Colour Director and Technical Education for Trevor Sorbie International. But what does it take to hold a position of this prestige and importance? Well, this exactly what we're about to find out in today's podcast. John role means he’s the leading creative force behind the colour output for the world renowned Trevor Sorbie Artistic Team and their growing number of International Salons. With his down to earth attitude and strong work ethic have rewarded him with this massive position to one of the worlds most respected salon names. However, he's had to earn his stripes before landing this role, by working for almost 10 years internationally (and travelling many UK motorway miles per week) on shows and seminars within the L’Oréal/Matrix group. I'm seriously blown away by how John and the Trevor Sorbie Artistic Team are pushing forward the creative boundaries in hairdressing. So if you are interested in one day following a similar route towards a Creative Director role, then this episode is a great place to start. Headphones on, let's get to it!   Thanks for Listening! To share your thoughts: Leave a note in the comment section below. Ask a question by emailing me HERE Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes. Subscribe by Email Special thanks to John Spanton for joining me today. Until next time!    

Alan Beak is a truly great barber, but what makes a great barber? With the barbering and mens grooming industry at an all-time high, it's never been so popular to be a barber. So if you're an aspiring barber, you need to stand out and rise above the rest of the crowd. Thats why I'm delighted to be joined by someone who is one of the most respected barbers across the globe – Alan Beak, co-owner with his brother Reece of Ruger Barber, and he's about to share with you on what makes a great barber. Renowned for his excellent fade work and extensive styling, Alan has many fans throughout the industry who are seeking his expertise in the craft of barbering. Alongside his educational work he is still hitting the floor regularly at his popular Ruger Barber shop, creating in demand looks for his loyal clients that includes Manchester City and Argentina's International star footballer, Sergio Aguero. Since opening the doors in 2014, Alan and his brother have grown the Ruger Barber brand into one of the best-known barbershops in the country. And I'm thrilled to have Alan on the show today to hear how he's achieved this by being a great barber, so don't miss out – have that phone in your pocket and lets get started! Thanks for Listening! To share your thoughts: Leave a note in the comment section below. Ask a question by emailing me HERE Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes. Subscribe by Email Special thanks to Alan Beak for joining me today. Until next time!  

At just 15 years of age, Adam Winwood aka Hair by Adam is smashing it on Instagram with his beautiful hair updos! Part of a new generation of hairdressings social media sensations, Adam has been creating both a massive following and generating bags of likes on his @hairbyadam Instagram page. In today's Showcasing The Young Guns of Hair (Edition 3) episode we're going to learn how Adam has become the social media star that he is, and why he's being labelled as the next Patrick Cameron. Adam started out styling hair on his cousin's Bratz dolls at just 9! Since then this quiet and unassuming young lad from the West Midlands, UK, industry profile has literally gone global. He's being doing lots of shows, become a Styling Ambassador for the Matrix hair brand, and most recently was invited to do hair on the Late Night Tev Finger TV show in New York. And all by the age of just 15! AMAZING! I'm seriously impressed with Adam. Not only because he's created such a buzz around his online profile, but more on how he backs all this up with doing spectacular hair updos that those with many more years experience than him would be proud to achieve. I can't wait to learn how Adam wants his career in hairdressing to grow and develop, and I know you will too! So sit back, relax and enjoy!   Thanks for Listening! To share your thoughts: Leave a note in the comment section below. Ask a question by emailing me HERE Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes. Subscribe by Email Special thanks to Adam Winwood for joining me today. Until next time!