Brittney shares her journey from hair school in Newmarket to salon work, a brief detour into law clerking, and ultimately finding her passion behind the barber chair. She opens up about renovating a historic downtown space, opening just before COVID, surviving months of shutdowns through creativity and grit, and what it truly takes to run a modern barbershop.

This honest conversation explores leadership, hiring, work-life balance, changing industry expectations, and why barbering remains one of the most human and community-driven professions.

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

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

Shenzy shares how she built her business from the corner of her living room, the growing demand for Black hair services in Niagara, and the powerful impact hairstylists have on the emotional well-being of their clients.

From launching her own product line to supporting clients through deeply personal challenges, this conversation highlights the heart, resilience, and purpose that define the real professionals in the hair industry.

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

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

From growing up in a family of hairdressers to opening his first salon at just 19, Carlo shares his incredible 30-year journey in the beauty industry. He opens up about the evolution of salon culture, the struggles of staffing, rising costs, the emotional bonds with clients, and the profound impact hairstylists have on mental health and community life.

Today, Carlo is expanding from salon owner to North American distributor—proving that passion, resilience, and relationships can build a lifelong legacy.

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

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

In this Hairstory episode, Cheryl walks us through her path from early days at Fiorio and Capucci to award-winning shoots (NAHA & Contessa), televised makeovers (Cityline, Steven & Chris), and global tours styling for Goldwell Color Zoom in Vegas, Berlin, Paris, and beyond.

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

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

Kalleigh shares how she turned student debt and curiosity into a multi-layered beauty business, building both a training academy with over 25 certified courses and a co-working salon model that gives independent stylists, estheticians, and creatives their own space to succeed.

This episode explores how she’s helping beauty professionals across Niagara find freedom, confidence, and community — and why she believes the future of the beauty industry lies in collaboration, not competition.

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

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

Lexi breaks down the world of protective styles—from braids and cornrows to twists, locs, faux locs, and extension work—why they matter for hair health, and how specializing in a niche can be a powerful business model. We talk confidence, community, and mental health (why great hair can lift a day), the real fears of launching without college, finding resources, and the mindset it takes to keep going. She also looks ahead to educating others and building a broader support network for her clients and creators in Niagara.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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