Maneframe

Felice Valvano — co-owner of Valvano Salon in St. Catharines, Ontario — shares the story of how his family-run salon has defied trends, avoided the chair-rental model, and thrived for over 25 years.

In this episode, Felice reveals the systems behind the success: an in-house education program that trains every stylist in both skill and communication, monthly performance reviews that turn goals into motivation, and a transparent “scoreboard” that keeps the entire team accountable and inspired.

He also talks about creating Valvano and BLOW, two hair-care lines designed with wellness and sustainability in mind — products built for professionals, clients, and the planet alike.

But beyond the business, Felice’s passion is people. He reminds us that hairstyling is more than a service — it’s a career that builds confidence, connection, and community. His message to young professionals? The world of hair is one of the last great creative industries where you can build a future, touch lives, and have fun doing it.

HairStory is sponsored by Preempt & Prevention – Great Hair Begins with a Great Chair.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For more than 25 years, Tony Valvano has built more than a business—he’s built a community. As co-owner of Valvano Salon in St. Catharines, Ontario, Tony has seen the industry change dramatically, from bustling full-service salons to the rise of independent chair rentals. But through every shift, his philosophy has stayed the same: grow people first, and the business will follow.

In this inspiring episode of Hairstory, Tony sits down with host Jeff Alford to talk about what it really takes to build a strong salon culture in 2025. He shares the strategies that helped him rebuild after COVID—mentorship, education, social media presence, and genuine human connection—and why he believes the future still belongs to salons built on teamwork, trust, and heart.

Whether you’re a salon owner, stylist, or creative entrepreneur, Tony’s story is a reminder that the strongest brands are built on relationships—not rentals.

HairStory is sponsored by Preempt & Prevention – Great Hair Begins with a Great Chair.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lesley Rito-Costa—Manager at Teknik Salon in Kitchener, Ontario—shares a candid, inspiring path from walking in off the street as an assistant to building a 26-year career as a sought-after colorist and cutter. She talks about learning by doing (and watching) before ever touching scissors, the mentors who shaped her (Joe and Dom), a stint educating other salons, and how motherhood reframed her work–life rhythm.

We dig into what’s changed behind the chair: clients arriving “TikTok-educated,” why long hair and growth serums are trending, rising concerns about thinning, and practical advice on wash frequency, scalp care, and products (from her go-to split-end serum to the “10-10” toner she swears by). Lesley reflects on COVID’s lasting impact—DIY color kits, FaceTime haircuts, and many clients embracing their natural grey—and why great stylists still function as confidence builders, counselors, and community anchors. Plus: how she protects her body, leads with empathy, and why she wants government grants back to attract the next generation into the trade.

It’s a grounded, heart-first conversation about craft, clients, and the everyday moments that turn a salon into family.

Sponsored by Preempt & Prevention – Great Hair Begins with a Great Chair.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Domenic Romeo—co-owner of Teknik Salon in Kitchener, Ontario—joins us for a cappuccino-fuelled deep dive into life behind the chair. He shares how a teenage detour from auto mechanics led to a government-sponsored apprenticeship in the ’80s, why cutting is “pure artistry” while color is “applied chemistry,” and how services and trends evolved from perm-heavy days to today’s anything-goes styling. We get candid about TikTok myths vs. professional advice, why scalp health matters more than you think, and the extensions/keratin treatments that truly change clients’ lives (including which extension methods he trusts most). Domenic also reflects on running a modern salon, spending 75% of his time with clients, and the community that carried him through health scares and life’s biggest moments. It’s equal parts craft, business, and heart—told by someone who’s seen it all and still loves the work.

Sponsored by Preempt & Prevention – Great Hair Begins with a Great Chair.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode — host Jeff Alford sits down with Pino Cherubino, the owner of Pino Salon in Kitchener, Ontario, to explore his remarkable journey from a small coastal town in southern Italy to becoming one of Canada’s most respected salon owners.

Pino shares how he started in hairdressing at 15, the inspiration he found working alongside precision stylists in Italy, and the leap that brought him to Canada in the 1980s. Together, Jeff and Pino dive into the evolution of the hair industry—how salon culture has shifted from large, bustling teams to smaller, boutique operations, and the challenges today’s salon owners face in finding and training stylists.

Pino reflects on decades of success, the family atmosphere he’s built in his business, and the loyalty of clients who have been with him for over 40 years. He also offers candid advice for anyone considering opening a salon today and shares his vision for the future of the industry.

This conversation is full of wisdom, nostalgia, and practical insight for entrepreneurs, salon professionals, and anyone curious about the intersection of passion, business, and community.

Sponsored by Preempt & Prevention – Great Hair Begins with a Great Chair.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our pilot episode — Join Jeff Alford as he sits down with Joe Romeo, a seasoned salon owner and hairstylist, to discuss his journey in the beauty industry. Starting in 1986, Joe shares his early days washing floors and shampooing heads, eventually moving up to hairstyling and opening his own salon in 1989. Despite facing numerous challenges, including recessions and the COVID-19 pandemic, Joe's salon grew to house 28 staff at its peak and expanded to a second location. Joe opens up about the difficulties of running a business, the importance of staff loyalty, and the value of perseverance. Discover the insights gained from decades in the industry and the current state of his salon as he navigates the ever-changing landscape of the beauty business.

Sponsored by Preempt & Prevention – Great Hair Begins with a Great Chair.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.