word. with Gordon Miller

Bringing back another HOT TOPIC that resulted in a LOT of great feedback: Few topics 'trigger' the collective industry more than public conversations (i.e. posts) about the government's suggestion that the mean annual income of hairdressers in the USA is $28,000+. We've been having versions of this conversation for at least 30 years - and yet have done little real work to set the record straight (and that's our 'bad'!). Perhaps the biggest challenge: new professionals have little in terms of actual data (and related practices) to serve as guideposts to grow (and plan) their careers and lives (putting too many at risk). Warning: triggers ahead! For early access to future episodes, please visit www.socialbeautymakers.com and sign up for the free weekly e-newsletter.

The always inspiring @NinaTulio is here to talk about the need for pros to “know who you are, be real - & do the work" as a foundation for growing careers -and making more money! The straight-talking business coach, educator, Oligopro Brand Ambassador AND podcaster (No Stylist Left Behind co-host with @ItsMrJLadner),is a wealth of knowledge, experience (26+), and wisdom. 

For early access to future episodes, please visit www.socialbeautymakers.com and sign up for my free weekly e-newsletter.

Bring this one back as it’s probably my most talked about and shared episode to date! Note: the title is a play off a podcast titled “F**K Retail” that left me angst-filled. In response, this is my "rant" on the larger idea of 'fake beauty news' - something that feels like a mirror image of disinformation in the larger world (that most on all sides of politics agree exists). Rebuttal of an anti in-salon retail argument is my primary focus - as most of those arguments are based on reasons that don't align with our larger reality (i.e. facts!). Although it is estimated that just 20% generate 80% of the $3+ billion in annual retail sales thru salons, there is clearly an opportunity to win for those who are up for learning the business side of salon retail. For more content, please visit www.socialbeautymakers.com and sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter (and also get early access to future podcast episodes).

A solo riff to reinforce my take on the never-ending challenge facing our larger industry: the lack of early career-focused education to help new professionals make it through the early years in the salon. Perhaps most importantly, everyone should realize that this larger challenge impacts us all in varied and significant ways. Today's topic is very much connected to and inspired by episodes #15 (Image and the Ongoing Labor Shortage), #21 (The Truth About Pro Compensation), and #26 (Our Shared Responsibility to Next-Gen Professionals). For early access to future episodes, please visit www.socialbeautymakers.com and sign up for my free weekly e-newsletter.

This is part 2 of my popular 4-part series on the ongoing evolution of specific segments of the pro salon industry. This episode shares observations on the current state of digital education - and ask what i hope are thought-provoking questions related to the future of the category. Past episodes in the series offer up my observations around Media, Events, Distribution and Brands. For more content, please visit www.socialbeautymakers.com and sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter (and also get early access to future podcast episodes).

After receiving numerous requests to delve deeper into the state of social media (following Episode 25), today's discussion will be an extemporaneous riff on just that. Many of us have been active on social media for well over 15 years now, and it's clear that we're entering a new era in how we approach the various platforms. It's important today to consider changes in how we measure the results of our efforts, including time and money spent. Additionally, we need to connect the dots between social media and the fundamental principles of the salon business that should guide all of our plans.

One of our most downloaded episodes to date is #19, Part 4/5 of a 5-part series on the ongoing evolution of the pro salon industry. In this episode, I share observations on both the history (the abridged version for some context) and the current state of our distributor (including stores) and pro-brand segments; and ask what I hope are thought-provoking questions related to the future of each. 

Past episodes in this Future View series (#'s 6, 8 & 10) offer my take on the state of the media, events & online learning categories- and where each might be headed in the future. I hope you will check them out!

Iconic educator and platform artist Tippi Shorter Rank left day-to-day life in the salon over 15 years ago - but recently found herself thinking "something was missing" from her professional life. Not long after, the @mizani Global Artistic Director got to work creating the Hair Love Salon KC (in Kansas City, Missouri). In the process, the one-time NYC-based salon owner re-thought traditional business models in a profound way. Centered around the big idea of mentoring, Tippi has leaned into the value of building the careers of her team as THE fundamental core value of the salon. A great story along with some great advice!

Our 2nd most listened-to episode is back. Considered one of the most iconic names in the pro beauty space, @TabathaCoffey has long been pushing the salon industry to be the very best version of ourselves. The self-described "Truth Teller, Dream Chaser, And Coach For Women Just Like You" has inspired countless professionals to reach for their dream careers and businesses. In this episode, Tabatha shares her take on the power of our "attention and intention" in moving our careers and lives forward. 

For more about Tabatha and her newly launched BITCH CAMP (an intensive, LIVE, interactive, 6-week online class) follow her on IG or visit www.tabathcoffey.com. PS Leave it to Tabatha to repurpose the perjorative 'bitch' into the powerful B.I.T.C.H. (Brave, Intelligent, Tenacious, Creative, & Honest.)!

My solo riff on the challenges the industry faces today with workforce retention (across all categories of business models) and how beginning to talk about this topic as a larger industry could have a profound and positive impact on our perceived 'labor shortage'.

As independence rises, more are arguably at risk of leaving the industry sooner rather than later - and that has a ripple effect relative to the larger industry that is worthy of all of our attention. For early access to future episodes, please visit www.socialbeautymakers.com to sign up for my free weekly e-newsletter.