BUILDING & BREAKING with Nina L. Kovner

In this episode I share some thoughts about 2018 and what I see coming for creative small businesses, online and off, in 2019. On a personal level, I share some raw and oh so honest thoughts about mental health, courage and faith. Thank you so much for listening and for all the love and support in this first year of our podcast. We love you!

In this episode, I sit down with the beautiful and passionate Keya Neal, artist, educator, master colorist, and founder of Kolour Kulture and Texture Vs. Race. Keya shares her story of how she became a hairdresser and why she has created a movement designed to break barriers and open up important conversations to empower artists and help them see that hair is a texture and not a race. You can find Keya on the gram @keya_artistically @texturevsrace @thekolourkulture on Facebook in the Texture Vs Race Facebook group and online at kolourkulture.com and texturevsracce.com

In this episode I sit down with my long time friend Benjamin Jay, Salon Owner, Marketer + Leader at the Hair Loft LTD in Chicago. Ben shares his wisdom about marketing, social & digital media, recruitment, retail, passion and more. You can find Ben on the gram @bnjmnjy and his salons @thehairloftltd

In this episode, I have the honor of sitting down with Dre Demry-Sanders, session stylist, hairdresser + passionate activist. We talk about inspiring Dre's story, women of color, hair, discrimination, inclusion, mental health and so much more! You can find Dre on the gram at @dre_on_hair and on her website at dreonhair.com

In this episode we sit down with Kellyn Anderson, Leader + Educator at Bow and Arrow Collective in Boston. We talk about Kellyn's journey as a salon owner, developing and staying true to her purpose and brand, what leadership looks like, and the emotional journey of being a small business owner. You can find Kellyn on the gram at @kellyn.bowandarrow and @bowandarrow.collective

In this episode we sit down with Danielle Green, activist and creator of the Radically Curly brand, whose purpose is to empower women to embrace and celebrate the hair texture they were born with. We talk purpose, brand, society's twisted notion about how women of color should wear their hair, where the name Radically Curly came from, and more. You can find Danielle on the gram @radicallycurly and on the web at radicallycurly.com

In this episode Gordon Miller, CEO (Chief Engagement Officer of Hairbrained shares some thoughts on digital disruption, the rise of Amazon in beauty, it's effects on salon retail, retail in general and what we can do about it. You can find Gordon on the gram @gordnm and Hairbrained at @hairbrained_official + hairbrained.me + hblive.me

In this What's On My Mind episode Nina shares the truth behind her current state of mind, why it's so important to acknowledge the lows as well as the highs and how to pull through it all. She also shares a little riff on comparison, knowing your brand, finding time for social and content creation. You can find Nina on the gram @passionsquared

In this incredibly emotional and inspiring episode we talk with Kristin Rankin, owner of Fuss Hair Studio in Toronto + Founder of The Dress Code Project and Gender Free Haircut Club. This is a must listen to any small business that offers services traditionally defined by gender, specifically, salon owners + hairstylists. As Kristin so powerfully shares… "fluidity of our gender is the future of our society". You can find The Dress Code Project online at dresscodeproject.com, @thedresscodeproject and learn more about Kristin's approach to gender free services at fusshairstudio.com

In this episode we bring back our bestie Gordon Miller and talk online learning, education, context (yes, again!), voice, digital, social, inspiration and more. You can find Gordon at hairbrained.me, @hairbrained_official + on his personal Insta @gordnm