Hairbrained Conversations

Hairbrained

A weekly podcast that takes a deep dive into the minds of some of the most talented artists, educators, influencers, and leaders in the professional salon industry. Hosted by Gordon Miller, Hairbrained.me ceo and self-proclaimed social media evangelist.

  • 44 minutes 45 seconds
    Episode # 331: Ashley Mooney CEO of ARETÉ

    In this episode of Hb Conversations, Gerard Scarpaci sits down with Ashley Mooney to discuss Areté, a groundbreaking beauty brand focused on sustainability and innovation for hair professionals. Ashley shares her journey from intern to CEO and the inspiration behind creating Areté, a brand that champions clean, high-performance products while staying true to the needs of stylists and their clients. They dive into industry trends like scalp care, the importance of balancing artistry with sustainability, and how mentorship and collaboration shape the future of the beauty world. Don't miss this conversation full of passion, purpose, and practical insights.

    4 December 2024, 6:20 pm
  • 52 minutes 34 seconds
    Episode #330: Carlos Rojas (@colorbycarlos), Schwarzkopf Professional Digital Artistic Team
      At age 29, Carlos Rojas (@colorbycarlos) shifted gears into hairdressing. His years in the food service industry served him well—as did his touch of theatrical flair. Now Carlos is one of the industry’s most relatable voices. Carlos discusses how inspiration in the moment helps him craft his Instagram and TikTok posts, which blend education with comedy and resonate deeply with hairdressers and clients alike. He also talks about @schwarzkopfusa’s versatile IGORA COLOR10 range and explores how his content showcases its many uses, beyond just quick root touch-ups.
    6 November 2024, 4:17 pm
  • 50 minutes 31 seconds
    Episode #329: Stef Fox and Jen Baudier, Co-founders of @mymatchable
    Connections build opportunities, and no other industry proves that point more than the hairdressing industry. In this episode, we’re joined by @stef_fox and @jenbaudier, co-founders of Talent Match (@mymatchable), a groundbreaking platform that works like a dating app to match salon owners and hairdressers. Learn how they’re using data to solve the industry’s biggest hiring challenges, the lessons they’ve learned along the way, and what’s next for this innovative tool. Whether you’re a salon owner or a stylist, this episode is packed with ways to help you find the perfect match.
    20 October 2024, 9:06 am
  • 47 minutes 22 seconds
    Episode #328: Ian Mayer-Marszalek, @schwarzkopfusa Senior National Trainer
    In this episode, we chat with Ian Mayer-Marszalek @ianhairspray, Senior National Trainer for Schwarzkopf Professional, about his journey from hairdresser to educator. Ian shares insights on career paths beyond the salon chair and how he's reshaping education by adapting to hairdressers' needs. We also explore the science behind Schwarzkopf’s Fibre Clinix range, designed for personalized hair care, and dive into their latest innovations like anti-yellow toning drops and bonding oils. Plus, Ian shares expert tips on how to choose and use these oils based on hair type. 
    13 October 2024, 9:50 am
  • 47 minutes 43 seconds
    Episode #327, Ben White (@benmichahwhite), Fancy Hairdresser
    A quick glance at Ben White’s Instagram bio (@benmichahwhite) reveals his unique perspective. From his tongue-out profile pic to identifying his business as a Grocery Store, you can immediately sense Ben’s irreverent approach to life. In this episode, we explore how his creative mind works, how his background as a musician and singer (he's in three bands!) has shaped his outlook on hairdressing, and what surprises he has in store for the lucky hairdressers attending Hb Fest. (Hint: It may involve giving away some @babylissprousa tools!)  

     

    15 September 2024, 9:07 am
  • 55 minutes 26 seconds
    Episode #326: Brittany Byrd, Owner of Blondify Studio
    In this episode, Brittany Bird @blondebybritt, owner of @blondifystudio, discusses the growing trend of clients taking to social media to criticize their hairdressers—whether justified or not. Brittany recently faced a viral TikTok post from a client upset about pricing, but thanks to her well-established systems, she was able to post a detailed rebuttal that protected her reputation. Together, Gerard and Brittany explore the importance of having strong systems in place to safeguard your business against online backlash and share tips on how to navigate the challenges of social media.  

     

    29 August 2024, 2:04 am
  • 48 minutes 35 seconds
    Episode #325: Stephen Moody, JPMS Artistic Director
    With decades of experience in the hair industry, Stephen Moody, Artistic Director of Paul Mitchell, is a celebrated educator and innovator. Stephen’s recent wins at the North American Hairstyling Awards have garnered attention, particularly for his bold hair and model choices. In this interview, he discusses his frustration with "Lego" hair, and how this spurred him to enter and showcase textured hair and more mature models with attitude. Tune in as we explore Stephen’s journey, his passion for redefining beauty standards, and his insights into the future of hair and education.  

     

    18 August 2024, 9:25 am
  • 42 minutes 53 seconds
    Episode #324 Amanda & Jamie Rourke Owners of Ro Style House

    After 10 + years of salon ownership with all it's ups and downs Amanda and Jamie decided to build a "home " salon on their property in Florida. We discuss the process from all angles and what the outcome is like after  nearly 4 years of work and planning. Ro Style House isn't like any "home" salon you may have seen before and Amanda & Jamie are loving their new venture.

    27 July 2024, 4:19 pm
  • 1 hour 16 seconds
    Episode #323: Fred Helou, Vagaro Founder and CEO
    Sometimes hardships break a person; other times, they make a person. Such is the case with Fady "Fred" Helou (@fredhelou), whose difficult origin story propelled him to create the billion-dollar company Vagaro (@vagaropro). After leaving war-torn Lebanon at 18 and having his life savings pickpocketed en route to the U.S., Fred quickly got a job and began attending night school. In this episode, Fred shares how he started climbing the corporate ladder while fostering the idea of a system to facilitate online booking for salons and barbershops. Discover what finally compelled him to create Vagaro, the lessons he learned along the way, and his invaluable advice for other budding entrepreneurs.
    6 July 2024, 4:20 pm
  • 51 minutes 55 seconds
    Episode #322: Ashlee Norman, @schwarzkopfusa Artistic Team Member and @k18hair Ambassador

    This Mother's Day, we're giving it up to @ashleenormanhair, who juggles motherhood along with her roles at Schwarzkopf and K18. Of course Ashlee's family (her husband in particular) is central to her success, but she also attributes the diversity of her background as a key factor. She shares how obtaining a degree, interning at a fashion magazine and pursuing advanced education, including at Vidal Sassoon and Bumble and bumble, helped shape her unique approach to hairdressing, education and presenting—not to mention her high standards. We talk about how Ashlee is paying these lessons forward, not only to hairdressers through her leadership and education, but also to her three children by showing that, with the right support, education and determination, women (and mothers) can have it all. 

    12 May 2024, 9:00 am
  • 49 minutes 1 second
    Episode #321: Christine Hall, @aveda Vice President, Research & Development, and Renée Gadar, Global Artistic Director, Texture
    In this episode, we celebrate Aveda’s newest line, Be Curly Advanced. We’re joined by scientist Christine Hall (@christinebhall) and textured hair expert Renée Gadar (@reneesrh), who, along with their teams, co-created the groundbreaking line to meet the needs of curly and coily hair types. We discuss the new range's technology and ingredients as well as how Aveda is supporting hair pros through education and training so they can excel with services for curly and coily hair.

     

    29 April 2024, 9:52 pm
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