In this episode of The Dressing Gown CEO, I sit down with the incredible Anna Haldane; master colourist, Behind the Chair One Shot finalist, a founder of our official Foil Me community and the newly appointed Educational and Technical Manager for Eco Heads.

Anna shares her journey of building an international profile, pioneering techniques for Asian, coarse, brunette hair, and navigating big personal and professional transitions with honesty, grit, and humour.

We discuss:

1. The art (and science) of colouring brunette hair

2. Why water quality may be the hidden villain behind hair struggles

3. Building authentic community in the hairdressing industry

4. Juggling motherhood, leadership, and creativity

5. Doing it scared, and finding courage to just do it anyway

It’s real, it’s raw, and it’s a must-listen for hairdressers, working mums and dads, creatives, and anyone reinventing themselves.

🔗 Connect with Anna Haldane

1. Instagram: @annahaldanehair

2. Eco Heads: https://ecoheads.com/

🔗 Connect with Emily Ciardiello (The Dressing Gown CEO)

1. Instagram: @foilmefoils | @foilme.thedressinggownceo

2. Website: https://www.foilme.com.au

3. Podcast: The Dressing Gown CEO on Spotify | Apple Podcasts

In this episode of The Dressing Gown CEO podcast, I sit down with Tom Hendrick, founder of Tom Hendrick Public Speaking, co-director of Talent Academy, and father of two littlies, to explore how to speak with confidence, clarity, and impact.

Tom shares his journey from practising as a top-tier tax lawyer to becoming one of Australia’s most sought-after public speaking coaches. We discuss the strategies he uses to help leaders, entrepreneurs, and creatives prepare for high-stakes moments - whether it’s delivering a keynote, handling panel questions, or pitching to win business.

Now, this episode is content heavy, but I have added some fun elements to it that you will have to listen and/or watch to find out!

In this jampacked episode, you’ll learn:

1. How to structure your message so your audience remembers it

2. The secrets to staying calm and in control during live Q&A sessions

3. Why audience-centric communication is the key to connection

4. How repeat and count will change your life!

I also share my own experience working with Tom to prepare for the Australian Hairdressing Council’s Industry Day, where his coaching helped me deliver a speech that earned enthusiastic applause and glowing feedback and my appearance on the Real Talk panel for the Hair Festival ended in a successful session where the audience walked away having learnt something!

Beyond his professional expertise, Tom offers a grounded, real-world perspective shaped not only by his career but also by his life as a father - bringing empathy, patience, and a human touch to every coaching session.

Whether you’re preparing for your first panel discussion, a major conference presentation, or just want to speak with more confidence at work, this episode is packed with actionable tips you can start using right away. Oh, and Tom is a really funny guy, so be prepared to laugh a bit too!

It’s been six months since Emily and Ili (aka the husband-wife duo behind Foil Me) sat down to record a podcast together; and let’s just say, a lot has happened.

In this episode of The Dressing Gown CEO, we pull back the curtain on the messy, beautiful, often stressful reality of running a business, raising a family, and staying married after 23 years, while still choosing each other every day.

We talk about what’s shifted in business, what we've learned from hard conversations, navigating big changes like selling a house, hiring new team members, and the emotional toll of carrying stress between work and home.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to live and work with your partner; or if you just need a reminder that you’re not alone in the mess; this one’s for you.

In this heartfelt and insightful episode, I sit down with Fiona Beamish — interim CEO of the Australian Hairdressing Council (AHC) — to unpack what it really means to lead in today’s hair industry.

With a career spanning apprentice to salon owner, educator to CEO, Fiona brings a grounded, future-focused perspective on the challenges and opportunities salon owners face right now. Together, we discuss the evolving definition of success, the importance of community, mindset, and the bold reforms underway at the AHC — including the long-awaited updates to the national training package.

But this isn’t just a business chat.

Fiona and I also explore parenting teenagers in a social-media-saturated world, how to support Generation Alpha as they become employees, and the personal practices that keep them grounded amidst it all.

If you're a salon owner, a creative, or a parent trying to do life and leadership more consciously — this one’s for you.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Fiona’s journey from apprentice to interim CEO of the AHC

2. What’s changing in the hairdressing training packages — and why it matters

3. How to lead with purpose, not just pressure

4. The power of surrounding yourself with the right people

5. Why salons must adapt to generational shifts (hello, Gen Alpha!)

6. Honest conversations about parenting, mindset, and self-worth

7. What success really means — beyond the flash cars and holidays

Events Mentioned:

1. Friday 27th of June: AHC Industry Day – Training reform and collaborative panels

2. Saturday 28th of June: AHC Leadership Summit – Generational shifts, AI in salons, and future forecasting followed by the famous Schmoozefest – The industry’s favourite networking event.

To book tickets, visit here: https://theahc.org.au/industry-day-2025/

Connect:

Learn more about the AHC: https://www.theahc.org.au

Follow Fiona Beamish on Instagram: @fionabeamishceoahc

Follow Emily: @foilme.thedressinggownceo

In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Blythe Langford – salon owner, freedom coach, breathwork facilitator, and financial sovereignty mentor – to dive into what truly creates success in both business and life.

Blythe shares her journey from buying a salon in six-figure debt to turning it into a thriving, purpose-led space. She opens up about overcoming cancer, finding alignment through naturopathy and breathwork, and evolving her leadership style to empower her team rather than control them.

We talk about:

1. Her powerful Salon Scale Method and why consultations are the key to profit

2. How to create personalised incentives your team will actually care about

3. Leading with both heart and authority

4. Why healing yourself transforms your business

5. And how your salon can become a sacred space for everyone

If you're a salon owner or entrepreneur who’s ready for more purpose, more profit, and more peace – this one’s for you.

In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Trang Nova—a TEDx speaker, coach, and expert in communication who once described herself as shy, introverted, and full of self-doubt.

She shares the surprising moment (yes, involving a snail!) that sparked her quarter-life crisis and set her on the path to becoming the powerful, magnetic woman she is today.

We chat about:

1. Why finding your voice starts with shifting your mindset

2. How to speak with confidence - even if you’re not “a speaker”

3. Small talk tips that actually feel human (and not awkward!)

4. Embodying your inner lion in business and networking

5. Why you should follow your purpose

6. And how to handle the critics - especially when they’re close to you

If you’ve ever felt like you’re playing small, hiding your brilliance, or second-guessing your path, this one’s for you. Trang’s story and strategies will move you, inspire you, and give you the tools to speak-and live-with more power and presence.

🔗 You can connect with Trang at trangnova.com , on Instagram @trang_nova and LinkedIn Trang Nova

Is it likes, followers and filters - or something deeper, more lasting, and actually impactful?

In this episode of The Dressing Gown CEO, I’m joined by two powerhouses:
Sharon Blain – educator, salon legend and long-time leader in the craft of hairdressing
Renee Andrews – salon strategist and social media educator helping salon owners market with purpose

This conversation was sparked by my article in Hair Biz magazine:
“Has the Big Influencer Model Run Its Course in Hairdressing?” - which lit up our community with 160+ comments, 800+ likes and 167 shares.

Together, we unpack:

• Why followers ≠ influence (especially in local business)
• How the push for viral content is harming salon owners
• What real brand-building looks like in 2025
• The difference between personal brand and professional impact
• The dangerous blur between influencer culture and sustainable business strategy

We also talk honestly about brand responsibility, burnout, staying relevant, and what it actually means to build something that lasts, not just looks good online.

If you’re a salon owner, creative, educator, or brand navigating today’s noisy online space, this episode is for you.

Tune in, take notes, and most of all...start trusting your version of success again.

Connect with Today’s Guests:

Sharon Blain: @sharonblaineducation + @hearthemovement
Renee Andrews: @salonsociety.aus

If this conversation resonated, don’t forget to:

• Leave a review
• Subscribe for more real, raw episodes
• Share this with someone who needs to hear it

Keep up to date with all things The Dressing Gown CEO: @foilme.thedressinggownceo

Some of you are new to my account and Foil Me and I have had requests for me to share our story - Primarily, WHY and HOW we started Foil Me and the innovations we have introduced along the way. So, here it is...

In late 2013, life was busy with two little boys—Orlando, just 13 months, and our eldest, 4 years old - Raffaele. One day, after Ili picked up Orlando from the hairdresser’s so I could enjoy some “me time,” he asked, “What was that stuff in your hair?” I smiled and replied, “Foil.”

That simple moment sparked an idea. Since Ili and I were already supplying food foil to the hospitality industry, we wondered: Why not create something better for hairdressers? I reached out to my best friend Amy, a hairdresser, and other stylists to understand what they loved and hated about their foils.

With their feedback, we developed The Original—pre-cut, embossed foils designed to make colouring faster and easier.

In those early days, I’d visit salons weekly, handing out samples and returning to hear what stylists thought.

Every conversation shaped the product, and as Foil Me grew locally, tragedy struck in 2014 and I threw myself into Foil Me even more, turning to Instagram to connect with hairdressers online instead of in person so I could visit my Dad more as he became sicker.

By building genuine relationships and listening to feedback, we improved everything—from the embossing to sizes and colours—ensuring our foils reflected the artistry of hairdressing.

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Evan Stowers— Foil Me's USA ambassador of 7 years, salon owner of two salons, father of five, husband and former musician—who gets real about the challenges of balancing business, family, and personal growth. Fromhiring 27 stylists to navigating the weight of leadership, Evan opens up about the struggles of showing up for his team, his family, and, most importantly, himself.

We explore thepressure of success, the vulnerability of creativity, and how the hair industry is mirroring shifts in the music world. Evan shares his journey throughburnout,self-doubt, and what it truly means to be present—both in business and at home. And just when you think you know where the conversation is going,he reveals something deeply personal that changes everything.

This episode is raw, emotional, and full of well earnt wisdom. You don’t want to miss it.

In this lively and unpolished (please note that one of the hosts, not naming names, said that both hosts were fully in view so the filming of half of our heads was not deliberate, however it does add to the theme of the show!) first episode of the year, Emily and Ili Ciardiello, co-hosts of The Dressing Gown CEO, share their experiences into the concept of manifestation and shifting your mindset to create real change.

They discuss the importance of reframing your thoughts and language to focus on the present rather than constantly 'wanting' something. With relatable anecdotes, a bit of humor, and their signature casual vibe—complete with cats, dogs, and the realities of kitchen bench podcasting—this episode is as real as it gets.

Tune in for an inspiring yet approachable take on making resolutions stick, setting intentions, and stepping into the person you want to become. You won’t want to miss their tried-and-true tips for creating a mindset that works for you this year.