Hairbrained Conversations

When Jorge Blanco met @davinesofficial's Davide Bollati some 20 years ago, little did he know how much it would change the trajectory of his life. At the time, Jorge was flexing his editorial and entrepreneurial muscles as co-founder of a lifestyle magazine. But a meeting of the minds found Jorge quickly accepting a six-month contract to work at Davines. In this episode, Jorge shares the story of his evolving role at Davines and how his storytelling abilities have transcended all aspects of the brand, from sustainability to education to product manufacturing, all while remaining true to Davines' core ethos of culture and sustainability.

Nick Stenson (@nickstenson) has had his hand in nearly every facet of the beauty business. His achievements include being a makeup artist and nail tech, not to mention an award winning hairdresser, brand ambassador, salon owner and founder of his own brand, @nickstensonbeauty. This cumulative experience gives him a unique and valuable perspective when it comes to his current role as the Senior Vice President of Store and Services Operations at @ultabeauty. In this episode, he shares how he champions the hairdresser at Ulta, how he helps celebrate hairdresser success, and how he was able to launch his own product line while juggling all of his other responsibilities.

What began with a childhood love for painting has blossomed into a two-decade career that has taken Patricia Nikole around the world, helped her brand @paintedhair amass more than 1 million followers on Instagram and nearly 500K on TikTok, and made her one of the industry's most sought-out educators. Recently named Schwarzkopf Professional's Artistic Ambassador, Patricia shares what makes her high-contrast painting style so unique, why her partnership with her husband is essential to her success, and why it continues to be so important to engage on social media.

Diana Osborne's near miss with leaving the hair industry is a rather common one: Health issues triggered by certain salon products. Rather than leave the industry however, in 2019 Diana opened her own natural-products salon in Toronto. And when shutdowns paralyzed the world, Diana pivoted to an e-commerce focus and now has an online storefront that retails natural products like Innersense Organic Beauty. Tune in to learn how Diana overcame health challenges to not only thrive as an independent stylist, but also as a holistic hairdresser who will soon be offering education focused on holistic hair care.

The idea that the opportunities are endless in the beauty industry needs no further proof than Kristin Firrell (@kfirrell). Now the VP of Salon Development at @paulmitchellpro, Kristin got her start as a salon stylist, and it was a transformative course at Sassoon in London that informed and drove her passion for education, which continues to this day. This focus on continuous learning, adaptability and understanding the "whys" behind our actions is the backbone of the new Paul Mitchell Pro Rewards program. Of course, the tier-based program rewards purchases, but what truly elevates it to superstar status is that it also rewards hairdressers for completing continuing education. What's more, the points earned can be used beyond the salon space: for financial literacy, travel, even donations to their favorite charities. Be sure to tune in to learn all about this exciting new endeavor and how it helps support Paul Mitchell's commitment to transparency, culture and social responsibility.

Some of the world's best ideas have been born from dreams: Einstein's Theory of Relativity, the sewing machine, The Beatles' song "Yesterday"—and now we can add Roger Molina's captivating stop-motion haircutting videos to the list. In this episode, we talk with @rogermolinahair, Master Stylist at Lunatic Fringe salon in Park City, Utah, and Sam Villa ArTeam member, about how a dream inspired him to transform his Instagram content creation, which led to a four-fold increase in his following nearly overnight. With Robert sharing his personal struggles as well as his creative process, the episode explores the challenges faced by content creators, including moments of self-doubt and burnout, and the importance of encouragement and remaining true to your creative spirit.

To honor World Mental Health Day, we are joined by Todd Faulk (@spiritualgangster75), educator at Aveda Arts + Sciences Institute in Dallas, to discuss the importance of understanding and recognizing the mental health challenges prevalent in our industry. From discussing how ADHD presents differently in men and women to the power of listening and practicing empathy, Todd emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive environment where individuals feel heard and understood. Tune in for several practical tips that will help you foster a more compassionate and supportive community, both within your salon and in your own life.