The Digital Chair Podcast by salonMonster

Building a client book in a new city is the part of this job nobody teaches you in school. Brandon Edward has done it twice, and now splits his month between a suite in Austin and a chair in Portland.

Brandon sits down with Liam Shea to talk about what got people into his chair after a cross country move. He advertised a wait list in September for a suite that opened in March, and each ad pulled four or five DMs.

When he changed the wording to “now accepting clients,” the response stopped dead. That...

Opening a bigger salon is one challenge. Building one that people genuinely want to gather around is another.

Sadie Morey, co-owner of Shadow and Shear, shares how she and business partner Renee grew from a small micro-suite into a much larger retail salon shaped by flexibility, shared values and community care.

Sadie talks honestly about making a bold business decision without a corporate background, learning unfamiliar parts of salon ownership and preparing the new space while continuing to take clients at the old one. She also explains how their first salon renter helped shape the...

Building a loyal barber clientele takes more than delivering a good haircut—and it rarely happens overnight.

Rich Hope of The Belmont Barbershop shares what he has learned about playing the long game in barbering: staying available when you are building your client book, making appointments convenient, creating genuine relationships, and trusting that the right clients will find you when you show up as yourself.

Rich’s path into barbering began as a customer at Belmont. He joined the shop in 2009, helped run it for several years, and eventually bought the business in 2017. He also expl...

A strong barbering career is not built by buying every new clipper or pushing yourself harder every day. It is built through listening, mentorship, steady practice, and enough self-kindness to keep growing.

Vincent Franklin grew up around the hair industry and comes from a sixth-generation hair family, but his own path into barbering took time. After working in office environments, the disruption of COVID led him to reconsider his career, attend hair school in Vancouver, and commit to the profession he had been interested in since childhood.

Vincent shares what helped him develop during his...

A lasting career in hair isn’t built on talent or hustle alone. It takes humility, strong fundamentals, genuine client relationships, and the confidence to stay true to yourself.

Jermaine Mendoza shares the path that took him from cutting hair in garages and experiencing homelessness to becoming a salon education director and national educator for R+Co. His story is honest about the work behind a beauty career—and clear about why success has to mean more than staying busy or making money.

You’ll learn why:

✅New hairstylists must be willing to unlearn...

What happens when a salon stops asking people to fit the industry—and starts building the workplace around the people inside it?

Renee (she/her/they/them), co-owner of Shadow and Shear, shares how an unexpected move from a small micro-suite to a full salon became an opportunity to rethink salon culture from the ground up.

Instead of recreating a traditional high-end salon environment, Renee and business partner Sadie created a relaxed, inclusive space where clients and beauty professionals can drop the professional mask, receive the accommodations they need, and connect as themselves.

Re...

Real hair education isn’t about memorizing one formula, one pattern, or one perfect Instagram result. Ashlee Norman joins salonMonster to talk about what it actually takes to build skill behind the chair: mentorship, theory, repetition, hands-on practice, and learning how to think through hair instead of copying one technique at a time.

Ashlee is a hairstylist, independent educator, international brand artist, tool creator, online education founder, and mother of three. She shares how she went from beauty school and salon education to teaching across cities, working with major global brands, and building a career rooted in...

Hair culture changes from city to city, and Mitsuhiro Ando has seen that firsthand.

Mitsuhiro joins salonMonster to talk about his path from growing up in Tokyo and attending hair school in Japan, to discovering barbering in Melbourne, to building his work in Vancouver.

This short conversation touches on barbering, skin fades, Japanese hair culture, Vancouver’s diverse hair textures, and how inspiration can come from far beyond the salon.

You’ll hear about:

✅How Mitsuhiro got into hairdressing in Tokyo
✅Why he shifted from traditional hairstyling into barbering
✅What drew...

What does real mastery look like in the hair industry?

In this conversation, Liam talks with Joseph DiMaggio about the long, messy, deeply human path from cutting hair on tour to working backstage at Fashion Week, building education systems, mentoring stylists, and creating tools with intention.

Joseph shares how his early background in engineering shaped the way he thinks about haircutting, finishing, education, and efficiency. Instead of chasing shortcuts, his approach centers on repetition, failure, mentorship, and understanding the “why” behind every choice.

This episode goes into the parts of the beauty industry that...

Finding the right salon is not just about getting a chair. It is about finding a space where you can grow, be respected, and actually feel like you fit.

Rin Csinos joins salonMonster to talk about their path into hair, from cutting hair as a kid to going through hair school, apprenticing, working independently, and eventually finding a salon environment that felt right.

This conversation is especially useful for hairstylists, apprentices, independent beauty pros, and salon owners who care about culture, education, and making the day-to-day business side feel less overwhelming.

You’ll he...

Great haircuts are not built on technique alone.

Bronwen Robinson joins Liam to talk about the deeper craft of hairdressing: developing your eye, learning how to read the client in front of you, and understanding why the feeling behind a haircut matters just as much as the shape.

Bronwen shares her path from being drawn to fashion, to early education with Tony & Guy, to starting over as an apprentice at Bumble and Bumble in New York. She reflects on the impact of razor cutting, the Bumble education legacy, and what it means to move beyond...

What makes a salon team stay?

Samuel Bligh, owner of Proper Hair Salon in Vancouver, joins salonMonster to talk about the long, real path from stylist to salon owner, and what he has learned about building a salon where people feel supported, clients feel connected, and growth does not come at the cost of culture.

Samuel shares how he got started in the Vancouver hair industry, the moment he decided to open his own salon, and what it actually took to take over an existing space, renovate fast, keep the team steady, and slowly build...

What does it actually take to build a salon where people feel comfortable walking through the door?

Michelle joins salonMonster to talk about her path from hair school in Victoria to opening Vamp, stepping into salon ownership, and slowly building a space rooted in trust, communication, education, and community.

This conversation is for hairstylists, salon owners, independent beauty pros, and educators who care about more than just the technical side of the work. Michelle shares what helped her grow behind the chair, why confidence often means doing the thing that feels awkward, and how creating...

Can old-school barbering still build a strong book in 2026?

Ivan Zoot thinks so. Known to many as Clipper Guy, he joins Liam to talk barbering, client retention, and why the fundamentals of good service have not changed much at all.

After 40 years in the business, Ivan is heading back into the barbershop part-time with a simple hypothesis: despite social media, online booking, AI, and everything else that has changed, cutting hair for money still runs on the same human basics.

It gets into the real stuff: building clientele, why word of...

What builds confidence behind the chair?

For Ricardo Vacas, the answer is simple: repetition, discipline, humility, and real practice on real people.

Ricardo talks with Liam from salonMonster about how he went from cutting his own hair as a teenager in Spain to becoming a Vancouver barber, shop owner, and educator. He is honest about the parts people skip over: early-career ego, the moments that humble you, and the gap between knowing the theory and having enough reps to trust your hands.

For beginner barbers, stylists, salon owners, and educators...

A long hair career does not happen by accident.

Charlie Price has been in the industry since the 1980s, and his path has touched every corner of hairdressing: salon ownership, Aveda education, Revlon Professional, New York and Milan Fashion Week, editorial work, competitions, and underground magazines.

Liam and Charlie talk about what keeps hairdressers inspired over time: strong education, real fundamentals, creative risk, mentors, and salon culture. Charlie also gets honest about awards, social media, influencer-style education, and why the basics still matter no matter what the trend is called this month.
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Hairdressers face more inspiration photos, faster trends, bigger expectations, and now AI-generated "hair" that isn't always possible on a real human head.

Liam sits down with Sonya Dove to talk about real longevity in the hair industry: patience, mentorship, honest education, creative growth, and telling clients the truth when their dream hair needs more time than social media suggests. Sonya shares stories from her 45 years in hairdressing, including her early competition days, her long relationship with Wella, her move from England to the US, and the lessons that shaped her as an educator and mentor.
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A lot of clients with textured or natural pattern hair are not asking for perfection. They are asking to feel seen.

In this conversation, Kia Donovan breaks down what natural pattern education really looks like behind the chair, why so many guests still leave salons feeling unseen, and how better salon experiences start long before the service begins. If you are a hairstylist, salon owner, barber, beauty educator, or beauty pro trying to build more trust with clients, this episode is full of practical perspective.

Kia shares her path from beauty school frustration to building...

Sally Lemmo has lived through nearly every version of a beauty career: barbering, salon ownership, brand education, independent education, business setbacks, social media growth, and a life-changing health scare. In this conversation, she gets honest about what actually changed for hairdressers after COVID, why client expectations feel different now, and why stronger boundaries do not have to come at the expense of connection.

She shares the barber-school color disaster that pushed her toward education, how she grew her platform by serving her audience instead of performing for it, and why so many stylists still underestimate the value...

If you’re a hairstylist or salon owner who’s busy—but drowning in DMs, admin, and cancellations—this episode is for you.

Liam sits down with business educator Hunter Donia to break down the systems that make a fully booked career sustainable: online booking, boundaries, and policies you can actually enforce.

Hunter shares how he scaled fast after opening a salon suite—and why success without systems can turn into overwhelm (especially for ADHD brains and chronic people-pleasers).
In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅The “booked solid” problem (and why it creates more admin...

What actually makes salon education stick?

Douglas McCoy argues it is not ego, intimidation, or trying to break stylists down. It is giving people a real foundation, reading the room, and teaching in a way that helps them build confidence behind the chair.

In this conversation, Douglas shares what it looked like to teach a two-day razor cutting class in Toronto, how he approaches education without sounding over-rehearsed, and why “aha” moments matter more than showing off as an educator. He also talks about adapting to the tools stylists actually bring, why shame has no plac...

What happens when a vivid specialist leaves a toxic salon environment, builds a suite business from scratch, and turns years of trial, error, and color theory into education other stylists can actually use?

Allison Webber shares her path from Aveda training and commission salon life to becoming a Charlotte-based vivid and blonding specialist, independent educator, and suite-based stylist. She talks about what changed when she left a branded salon, why vivid education still feels underserved, and how virtual classes, PDFs, and real-world teaching make learning more accessible for stylists.

This conversation also gets into the...

Balayage education, social media growth, and building an independent career — in this episode, Liam talks with stylist/educator Sarah Cabral about how she went from vocational high school to 23 years behind the chair, renting since 2010, and growing her IG to 100K by filming her colour work.

You’ll hear how she decides between balayage and foiliage (especially on darker hair), why she stayed brand-independent so she could take paid collabs, and how she turned “I’m not sure I can teach” into sold-out classes.

Sarah also breaks down real-world advice for new stylists: find a salon that...

Client retention is not just about getting clients back in your chair.

It is about education, trust, communication, and building the kind of salon business people want to keep coming back to.

In this episode, Rhino Gaudet joins salonMonster for a thoughtful, practical conversation about life behind the chair, moving from salon ownership into independent work, and what actually helps hairstylists build a steady business over time.

Rhino shares how he first got into hair because he wanted to be a platform artist, then discovered that the real magic was in the service...

Make haircuts calmer for neurodivergent clients—Henry “Tribes” shares the sensory-friendly tools, setups, and scripts that work.

In this episode, Henry “Tribes” Amoloja—10-year barber and creator of The Weighted Cape—walks through how he rebuilt books in new cities, got Sensory Safe Certified, and designed a neuro-inclusive service that parents trust. You’ll learn simple space tweaks, calming tools, and pre-visit steps that reduce anxiety and make appointments smoother for kids and adults on the spectrum.

We also dig into manufacturing a new product, handling pre-orders/sellouts, and finding mentors who accelerate your roadmap. Henry’s approach...

Autism-friendly salon practices that actually help: Tara Abramowicz shares simple, sensory-safe ways to serve neurodivergent clients - without forms or fuss.

Educator and stylist Tara Abramowicz joins Liam to unpack inclusive, sensory-friendly salon habits that reduce anxiety, build consent, and make appointments smoother for everyone. From asking, “Do you enjoy a shampoo?” before heading to the sink to narrating each step of the service, Tara demonstrates how small adjustments can create a safer, calmer experience - especially for neurodivergent clients and children.

We also cover tools like weighted capes and Tara’s Client Experience “chatter/chill ca...

Mentorship, self-care, and simple systems for working hairstylists—Erica Garza shares 30 years of salon lessons you can apply now: building clients, choosing commission vs. suite, and thriving with boundaries. Designed for pros in the U.S. & Canada who want practical, non-fluffy career advice.

Hailing from Seattle, Erica reflects on working in commission salons, studio rental, and education. Plus, how mentoring, filming your work, and saying “no” help create longevity in your career. As a Brand Sales Manager for KEUNE North America, she breaks down the value of apprenticeships, how to approach mentors (DMs + events), and why mental health...

Thinking about hybrid staffing or tightening your policies? Liam sits down with hairstylist and salon owner Nikii Beis (Elevated Studio, Squamish, BC) to unpack practical systems that working pros can use right away.

You’ll learn:
How Elevated Studio blends hourly, commission, and chair rental to keep flexibility and retention high.
Clear expectations & mentorship for juniors (show up early, prep the station, greet well) and why it speeds growth.
Cancellation policy tactics: set a card on file, require deposits for long services, and tailor notice periods to appointment length.
Tools that help: online bo...

How a 22-year pro teaches textured hair through a fabric lens — and why apprenticeships beat solo suites for new stylists.

Alyssia Dotson @maneseamstress shares how she built Mane Seamstress Education, why cosmetology school ≠ real-world salon learning, the gap in textured-hair education she saw on set, and how clear consultations + consent (“earn the right to touch someone’s hair”) change outcomes behind the chair. We also discuss apprenticeships (she started at Tony and Guy), building safe spaces, and practical ways to teach texture by comparing hair to various fabrics, such as silk and cotton.

Key takeaways

Going independent can give you more freedom, but without clear systems, it can also blur every boundary you have.

Kara Field, an independent hairdresser based in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, joins salonMonster for a thoughtful conversation about building a home-based salon business that feels professional, sustainable, and deeply personal.

Kara shares how she uses online booking, new client intake forms, service categories, cancellation policies, and client reminders to create a smoother experience before anyone even sits in her chair. She also talks about why boundaries are part of good customer service, especially when you are running...

What if filming your haircuts was not just for Instagram, but for becoming a better hairdresser?

Douglas McCoy brings a rare mix of hairdressing, photography, filmmaking, education, razor cutting, and salon leadership to this conversation. He talks about the mentors who shaped him, the value of starting over even after decades in the industry, and why stylists should use photo and video as more than just content.

This episode is especially useful for hairstylists, salon owners, educators, and independent beauty pros who want to keep growing without losing the creative spark that brought them into...

Home salon tips for independent stylists: Annilee Armstrong shares the practical systems that helped her grow a thriving home-based business—without burnout. In this warm, candid chat with Stephen from salonMonster, Annilee covers what actually works day-to-day: from referral programs and pre-booking to no-show policies, boundaries, and choosing tools that save time.

You’ll learn:

1. How to set up a simple referral program that snowballs
2. Pre-booking habits and reminders that keep your calendar full
3. Clear, fair policies for late arrivals and no-shows (that clients respect)
4. What to research before opening at home (lice...

Getting clients after hair school is the part nobody romanticizes. Brit Otto shares what actually helped her go from cutting hair in her kitchen during COVID to building a clear brand, finding models, and turning early hustle into repeat clientele.

This conversation is packed with practical advice for new hairstylists, barbers, and beauty pros trying to grow from the ground up. Brit talks about choosing a hair school, the reality of apprenticeships, why service experience matters behind the chair, and how branding shaped the kind of clients she attracted from the start.

You’ll also he...

Booth rental vs commission: what actually changes—income, time, brand.
In this candid chat, Andy Judd shares why he switched and how to do it without burning out.
What you’ll learn:

1. How to decide if booth rental fits your season and goals
2. Pricing without discounts (why “free model” beats markdowns)
3. Building a personal brand inside a well-known salon—then stepping out
4. Mentors, collections, and learning beyond hair school
5. Multi-state licensing/reciprocity realities & avoiding admin overwhelm


Chapters:

00:00 Welcome & Andy’s path (Ohio → Nashville)
02:30 Hustle vs talent—and avo...

Create welcoming, gender-affirming salon experiences—without guesswork. In this episode, Liam and Stephen (SalonMonster) sit down with Kristin Rankin (they/them), founder of the Dress Code Project, to share practical, day-one steps for inclusive consultations, non-gendered menus, and safer space standards. We cover how the Alliance vets salons, why language matters at the chair, and the vision behind the Gender Free Haircut Club—plus the journey to consulting on a gender-affirming salon for the Paris 2024 Olympic Village.

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro & Why Inclusive Salons Matter
03:55 – The Spark: From Salon Client Story to DCP
06:22 – Moving Beyond Gendered M...

Open a salon suite in 10 days—Renee & Sadie (Shadow and Shear) share exactly how they went from idea to keys, what they prepped online first, and how they filled their books fast. You’ll hear a candid take on booth rental vs commission, what to line up before signing, and how pre-booking + boundaries keep them fully booked on a 3-day week. We also dig into ADHD-friendly learning, mentorship, and local social that converts (why personality beats follower count).
In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. A realistic 10-day launch playbook (what to do first, what can wait)
2...