Trendy with Kim Allison

Ted Gibson and Jason Backe are not just celebrity hairdressers — they're the blueprint. Between styling Angelina Jolie, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong'o, and gracing the pages of every major publication, these two built something the industry had never seen before. And they're not done.

In this episode, Ted and Jason get real about what it actually takes to build a lasting career in beauty, why being booked and busy isn't the flex we think it is, and how their new venture Ted Gibson Beauty Wellness Science is shifting the conversation from external beauty to wellness from the inside out.

They also break down their upcoming Convergence Beauty Wellness Science Summit — a first-of-its-kind two-day event bringing consumers and professionals into the same room in Palm Springs, CA on May 3rd & 4th, 2026.

This one is for every beauty professional who's ever undercharged, overworked, or wondered if there's more.

✨ Ted Gibson – Co-Founder of Ted Gibson Beauty Wellness Science, Celebrity Hairstylist & TV Personality

Based in Palm Springs, CA

IG: @tedgibson

Website: www.tedgibson.com

✨ Jason Backe – Co-Founder of Ted Gibson Beauty Wellness Science, Celebrity Colorist & Educator

Based in Palm Springs, CA

IG: @jasonbacke

Website: www.jasonbacke.com

✨ Convergence Beauty Wellness Science Summit

May 3 & 4, 2026 — Palm Springs, CA

IG: @convergencebws

Website: www.tedgibson.com/pages/convergence

TIME STAMPS:

00:00 – Intro

00:40 – Welcome & Setting the Stage

01:11 – Kim Reads Their Accomplishments

04:55 – When Did It Become Bigger Than Just Hair?

07:19 – We Don't Find Hair, Hair Finds Us

09:08 – Life & Business Partners: Who's the Visionary?

12:01 – Opposites Who Share the Same Values

13:28 – How They Navigate Disagreements & The Power of Listening

16:05 – Is the Industry Evolving in the Right Direction?

17:29 – From Salon Owners to Renting a Chair

20:08 – Ted's Barber School Days & The Angelina Jolie Story

23:26 – AD: Virtue Lab

25:56 – When Did Your Name Have Value?

26:53 – The PR Meeting That Changed Everything

29:00 – What Led to Ted Gibson Beauty Wellness Science

31:59 – Breaking Down Ascension

35:19 – The Vision Behind Convergence Summit

39:35 – What to Expect at Convergence

45:07 – The Trade Off Game

48:10 – Raise Your Prices, Work Less, Make More

49:32 – Nothing Lasts Forever: Reinvent or Go Dark

52:44 – How to Find Ted & Jason

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Have a salon story, question or topic that belongs in one of the folders? Want to be considered as a guest? Connect with Kim on Instagram at @trendywkimallison or email [email protected].

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

I've been behind the chair for over 30 years, and nobody — not even me — was prepared for this. In this solo episode, I'm getting raw about hair loss, thinning hair after 40, and why losing your hair can feel like losing yourself. If you're navigating perimenopause, menopause, or just that moment where you look in the mirror and don't recognize yourself anymore, come sit with me. This conversation is long overdue.

🛍️ Shop Virtue Labs through my link:

www.virtuelabs.com/en/stylist/Kim-Allison

✅ Subscribe for more conversations with the voices reshaping the beauty industry.

Click Here For More Info: https://linktr.ee/TrendywithKimAllison

– Listen on Spotify, Apple, and all podcast platforms.

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TIME STAMPS:

00:00 — Introduction & "Respect the Chair"

02:20 — Why women are so emotionally tied to their hair

04:37 — Hair loss over 40, perimenopause & menopause

09:17 — Your partner's opinion & wanting to feel desired

11:38 — Redefining yourself when your hair changes

13:54 — Kim's personal health journey & upcoming labs

Follow Trendy with Kim Allison so you never miss an episode.

Have a salon story, question or topic that belongs in one of the folders? Want to be considered as a guest? Connect with Kim on Instagram at @trendywkimallison or email [email protected].

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

A hairdresser who can't fix her own hair? Yep, that's me right now. In this solo episode, I'm giving you an unfiltered look at my current hair health journey — the shedding, the breakage, and the Brazilian Blowout mistake I made on myself right before CreatorCon. I'm also opening up about perimenopause and how hormonal changes are affecting my hair (and my clients' hair too).

I'm sharing exactly what I'm doing to recover — from the Virtue Labs products I'm using to the labs I'm getting drawn with my naturopath. This is the beginning of a real, honest journey and I'm taking you with me every step of the way.

💬 Are you noticing changes in your hair? Drop your questions below — I'm going to start answering them right here on the podcast.

🛍️ Shop Virtue Labs through my link:

www.virtuelabs.com/en/stylist/Kim-Allison

✅ Subscribe for more conversations with the voices reshaping the beauty industry.

Click Here For More Info: https://linktr.ee/TrendywithKimAllison

– Listen on Spotify, Apple, and all podcast platforms.

– Follow @trendywkimallison on Instagram and TikTok.

TIME STAMPS:

0:00 — Intro & CreatorCon Recap

4:42 — Podcast Updates & Upcoming Guests

8:00 — Your Questions Matter

9:28 — The Hair Disaster Explained

15:54 — The Recovery Plan

Follow Trendy with Kim Allison so you never miss an episode.

Have a salon story, question or topic that belongs in one of the folders? Want to be considered as a guest? Connect with Kim on Instagram at @trendywkimallison or email [email protected].

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

In this episode, Kim sits down with Gerard Scarpaci, co-founder of Hairbrained, one of the most influential platforms in the professional beauty industry. Gerard takes us through his journey from packing boxes in a garment factory to building a global community for hairdressers. They dive into the old school versus new school debate, the culture shift social media has created in the hair industry, the future of beauty school licensing, the power of partnership, and what it truly means to leave a lasting legacy behind the chair and beyond it. This is a conversation every hairdresser needs to hear.

✨ Gerard Scarpaci – Co-Founder of Hairbrained, Hairstylist & Educator

Based in New York, NY

IG: @gerardscarpaci

IG: @hairbrained_official

Podcast: Hairbrained Conversations

Website: www.hairbrained.com

🛍️ Shop Virtue Labs through my link:

www.virtuelabs.com/en/stylist/Kim-Allison

✅ Subscribe for more conversations with the voices reshaping the beauty industry.

Click Here For More Info: https://linktr.ee/TrendywithKimAllison

– Listen on Spotify, Apple, and all podcast platforms.

– Follow @trendywkimallison on Instagram and TikTok.

Follow Trendy with Kim Allison so you never miss an episode.

Have a salon story, question or topic that belongs in one of the folders? Want to be considered as a guest? Connect with Kim on Instagram at @trendywkimallison or email [email protected].

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

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Christine McMillan, founder of Scalp Garden and licensed trichologist, whose path to scalp health is anything but conventional. From military service to an organic pig farm, living among the Maasai tribe in Tanzania, and climbing Kilimanjaro — her life experiences have shaped a deeply holistic approach to hair and scalp care.

In this episode Christine breaks down the real connection between gut health, nutrition, stress, and your scalp. She debunks popular myths and explains why your hair may be your body's earliest warning system for something bigger beneath the surface.

Whether you're a hairdresser curious about trichology, struggling with hair loss, or simply want to level up your scalp health — Christine delivers the knowledge, empathy, and encouragement you need.

Because healthy hair starts at the root — and the root starts with you. 🌱

✨ Christine McMillan – Trichologist & Founder of Scalp Garden

Based in Buford, Georgia, USA

IG: @scalpgarden

TikTok: @scalpgarden

Website: www.scalpgarden.com

🛍️ Shop Virtue Labs through my link:

www.virtuelabs.com/en/stylist/Kim-Allison

✅ Subscribe for more conversations with the voices reshaping the beauty industry.

Click Here For More Info: https://linktr.ee/TrendywithKimAllison

– Listen on Spotify, Apple, and all podcast platforms.

– Follow @trendywkimallison on Instagram and TikTok.

TIME STAMPS:

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome

03:38 - Living with the Maasai Tribe & Climbing Kilimanjaro

09:36 - The Aha Moment That Led Her to Trichology

14:02 - Becoming a Licensed Trichologist

19:54 - Steps from Hairdresser to Trichologist

21:38 - Common Myths & Mistakes in Scalp Health

26:05 - Seasonal Scalp Care & Washing Routines

31:51 - Early Warning Signs to See a Trichologist

35:57 - The Meaning Behind Scalp Garden

41:23 - Live Client Diagnosis Discussion

46:04 - One Actionable Tip for Scalp Health

49:29 - Where to Find Christine

Follow Trendy with Kim Allison so you never miss an episode.

Have a salon story, question or topic that belongs in one of the folders? Want to be considered as a guest? Connect with Kim on Instagram at @trendywkimallison or email [email protected].

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

In this episode of Trendy with Kim Allison, Kim sits down with salon owner and educator Erin Ray for a candid conversation about the beauty industry, social media, and what it takes to build a career behind the chair that actually lasts. Erin shares pieces of her journey into hairstyling later in life and brings her signature no-nonsense perspective to topics many stylists think about but rarely say out loud. From salon culture to the realities of the industry today, this episode blends honesty, humor, and a few spicy moments you won’t want to miss.

✨ Erin Ray – Salon Owner, Educator & Founder of The Business of Blend

Owner of Obsidian Salon | Bethel, Connecticut

IG: @erinrayhair

Website: www.erinrayhair.com

🛍️ Shop Virtue Labs through my link:

www.virtuelabs.com/en/stylist/Kim-Allison

✅ Subscribe for more conversations with the voices reshaping the beauty industry.

Click Here For More Info: https://linktr.ee/TrendywithKimAllison

– Listen on Spotify, Apple, and all podcast platforms.

– Follow @trendywkimallison on Instagram and TikTok.

Follow Trendy with Kim Allison so you never miss an episode.

Have a salon story, question or topic that belongs in one of the folders? Want to be considered as a guest? Connect with Kim on Instagram at @trendywkimallison or email [email protected].

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

In this episode of Trendy with Kim Allison, Kim sits down with Gloria Tabi — author, researcher, and natural hair advocate from Sydney, Australia.

Gloria shares her powerful journey of wearing wigs for over 25 years before finally embracing her natural hair and reclaiming her identity. Together, Kim and Gloria discuss hair freedom, cultural conditioning, systemic bias around Black hair, and the deeper meaning behind Gloria’s book “Enough.”

This conversation explores what it truly means to show up as your authentic self — without apology.

Gloria also shares the mission behind her foundation Enable Women Africa, which works to challenge hair discrimination and inspire the next generation of women to embrace their natural beauty.

✨ Gloria Tabi – Author, TedX Speaker & Natural Hair Advocate

Based in Sydney, Australia

IG: @gloriabinks

LinkedIn: Gloria Tabi

Website: www.enablewomenafrica.com

Gloria's Book

Enough: How One Woman’s Truth Became a Roadmap for Change:

https://www.amazon.com/ENOUGH-Womans-Became-Roadmap-Change-ebook/dp/B0FSLC1GFS

TIME STAMPS:

0:00 - Intro – Meet Gloria Tabi

1:39 - Gloria’s Journey: Ghana to Australia

5:51 - Wearing Wigs for 25 Years in Professional Spaces

10:46 - The Pressure Black Women Face Around Hair

16:02 - The Moment Gloria Took Off the Wig

19:07 - Why People Misunderstand Natural Hair

22:21 - Hair Discrimination & Systemic Bias

27:28 - Are Women Moving Toward Self-Acceptance?

31:48 - Gloria’s Book “Enough”

36:36 - The First Time Gloria Went Out Without a Wig

41:40 - The Mission Behind Enable Women Africa

46:36 - Hair Freedom Expo in Sydney

51:47 - Rapid Fire Questions with Gloria

53:39 - What “Enough” Really Means

54:45 - Where to Find Gloria Tabi

Follow Trendy with Kim Allison so you never miss an episode.

Have a salon story, question or topic that belongs in one of the folders? Want to be considered as a guest? Connect with Kim on Instagram at @trendywkimallison or email [email protected].

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

TITLE:

Why Your Hair Is Thinning After 40 (And What Actually Helps)

DESCRIPTION:

If you’re over 40 and your hair feels thinner, drier, or just different - you’re not imagining it.

In this solo episode, I share what menopause has actually done to my hair at 58: thinning, breakage, gray growth, and density changes - and what I’m doing about it.

Here are the supplements and hair products I’m personally using and discussing in this episode:

http://bit.ly/4kYgEhA

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. Always consult your doctor before starting any supplements, especially during menopause or if you have underlying health conditions.

🛍️ Shop Virtue Labs through my link:

www.virtuelabs.com/en/stylist/Kim-Allison

✅ Subscribe for more conversations with the voices reshaping the beauty industry.

Click Here For More Info: https://linktr.ee/TrendywithKimAllison

– Listen on Spotify, Apple, and all podcast platforms.

– Follow @trendywkimallison on Instagram and TikTok.

TIME STAMPS:

00:00 Hair Changes After 40

04:00 Why My Density Changed

07:00 Labs To Request From Your Doctor

09:00 Supplements I’m Taking

16:00 Breakage From Ponytails + Wigs

20:00 Tools I Swear By

30:00 Considering K-Tips

36:00 Gray Coverage Strategy

Follow Trendy with Kim Allison so you never miss an episode.

Have a salon story, question or topic that belongs in one of the folders? Want to be considered as a guest? Connect with Kim on Instagram at @trendywkimallison or email [email protected].

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

In this episode of Trendy with Kim Allison, Kim sits down with Hunter Donia to talk pricing strategy, salon culture, SEO, AI, and what it really takes to build a sustainable beauty business.

From emotional pricing and gender-neutral models to client boundaries and long-term trust, this conversation is a real look at how modern stylists can grow, adapt, and thrive in today’s industry.

✨ Hunter Donia – Salon growth strategist, educator & speaker

Host of The Modern Hairstylist podcast

Based in the U.S.

IG: @hairbyhunty

Podcast: The Modern Hairstylist

Website: hunterdonia.com

🛍️ Shop Virtue Labs through my link:

www.virtuelabs.com/en/stylist/Kim-Allison

✅ Subscribe for more conversations with the voices reshaping the beauty industry.

Click Here For More Info: https://linktr.ee/TrendywithKimAllison

– Listen on Spotify, Apple, and all podcast platforms.

– Follow @trendywkimallison on Instagram and TikTok.

TIME STAMPS:

00:14 — Intro + welcome back

04:21 — Emotional pricing + gender-neutral pricing

09:47 — Price-per-minute debate + package pricing solution

14:05 — Suites vs salons + the community shift

20:16 — Social media vs SEO + how AI is changing search

27:45 — AI in business: what to use, what to avoid

37:26 — Sponsor: Virtue Labs

39:48 — Game begins: “Say It To My Face” role-play

45:40 — Price shock + trust-building response

50:05 — When to refuse a service for hair health + saying no professionally

53:45 — Where to find Hunter + outro

Follow Trendy with Kim Allison so you never miss an episode.

Have a salon story, question or topic that belongs in one of the folders? Want to be considered as a guest? Connect with Kim on Instagram at @trendywkimallison or email [email protected].

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

In this episode of Trendy with Kim Allison, special guest Kym Jones aka Tweet joins the conversation to break down the real truths about the hair industry.

From rising prices and healthy hair goals to protective styles, scalp care, and social media expectations, the hosts dive into what clients need to understand and what stylists wish more people knew. They talk about why education matters, how consultations build trust, and why not every stylist is trained for every texture.

If you’ve ever wondered why services cost what they do, how to truly maintain healthy hair, or how social media is shaping beauty standards, this episode is for you.

✨ Kym Jones aka Tweet – Master Stylist & Owner of Salon Kym Belle

Based in Tampa, FL

IG: @tweet_the_stylist

Facebook: Tweet “The Stylist”

Website: www.salonkymbelle.com

🛍️ Shop Virtue Labs through my link:

www.virtuelabs.com/en/stylist/Kim-Allison

✅ Subscribe for more conversations with the voices reshaping the beauty industry.

Click Here For More Info: https://linktr.ee/TrendywithKimAllison

– Listen on Spotify, Apple, and all podcast platforms.

– Follow @trendywkimallison on Instagram and TikTok.

TIME STAMPS:

0:14 – Intro + cheers vibe + answering real hair questions

1:05 – Guest intro: Kym “Tweet” Jones (20+ years, Salon Kym Belle, Tampa)

2:50 – Pricing conversation: why salon services cost more now

9:30 – Social media impact on client expectations

18:59 – Shift to hair health discussion

20:44 – Oil for dry scalp? Myth vs reality

31:53 – How often should you shampoo?

36:16 – Do protective styles actually protect?

41:42 – Role play: DIY bangs + box dye disaster

46:05 – Role play: Skeptical client afraid of extensions

51:19 – Fine hair vs thick hair explained

52:47 – Why curly-cut specialists don’t cut all curl types

58:53 – Closing + where to find Tweet

Follow Trendy with Kim Allison so you never miss an episode.

Have a salon story, question or topic that belongs in one of the folders? Want to be considered as a guest? Connect with Kim on Instagram at @trendywkimallison or email [email protected].

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