Your Day Off @Hairdustry; A Podcast about the Hair Industry!

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This is @Hairdustry our weekly “Your Day Off” Podcast. We are hairstylist that bring you the success stories of the Hair Industry! Look for new Episodes with killer hair peeps every week on your day off! instagram.com/hairdustry Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hairdustry/support

  1. 3D AGO

    Gordon Miller- State of the Industry 2026

    Season 9, Episode 1: State of the Industry w/ Gordon Miller In this annual “State of the Industry” conversation, Corey and Katie sit down with Gordon Miller to unpack what actually happened in 2025 and what salon pros should pay attention to moving into 2026. We’re kicking off Season 9 with perspective, data, and real talk — not clickbait. Gordon, now the new General Manager of Intercoiffure, brings decades of industry insight to break down what’s actually happening behind the headlines. According to aggregated industry data (KIM Report pulling from thousands of POS and booking systems): Overall revenue was roughly flat Guest counts are down Frequency of visit is declining Retail dipped, especially in smaller businesses and suites Larger team-based salons (20+ providers) are seeing growth again Price increases helped stabilize revenue — but without them, many businesses were slightly down. Emotionally? The industry feels uncertain and reactive — mirroring the larger world. From “don’t prebook” to “retail is dead,” viral advice is spreading fast — even when it applies to only a small percentage of stylists. The reality:Most stylists are not booked out months in advance.Smart prebooking and retention systems still work. Social media today is marketing-driven, not community-driven — and that shifts what voices get amplified. Retail didn’t collapse — but it’s soft. Historically, retail accounts for about 5% of salon revenue (7% at its peak). The larger issue? The industry never consistently built strong retail systems. The act of recommending matters — even if the client doesn’t purchase from you.It builds trust, retention, and authority. For suite owners especially, inventory strategy and cash flow management are critical. Suites surged during COVID but growth is leveling off. Larger suite companies are now acquiring smaller regional operators. Chair rental remains larger overall. Meanwhile, 20+ person salons are seeing team growth again — suggesting a quiet shift back toward structured environments. Many newer stylists have never experienced strong in-salon education or structured mentorship due to post-COVID cuts and digital pivots. Independent educators can be transformational — but they reach only a small portion of the industry. Education — especially business education — remains the biggest opportunity. From AI concierge systems booking appointments after hours to tools helping managers communicate and analyze numbers more effectively, AI is already improving operations. It’s not replacing stylists — it’s supporting better business. The opportunity to do great hair depends on sitting on top of a strong business. Creativity matters.But sustainability requires systems, education, and intentional leadership. The industry isn’t broken — it’s evolving. The question is: Are you building a business that evolves with it? 2025: Flat — But Not FineThe Clickbait EffectRetail: The Real StorySuites, Rental & Team-Based SalonsEducation & The Missing ExperienceAI in Real SalonsThe Core Takeaway

    1h 8m
  2. 11/24/2025

    Stop Putting Sh*t In Your Hair — with Boone & Ben of Highland Style!

    Stop Putting Sh*t In Your Hair — with Boone & Ben of Highland Style In this episode of Your Day Off Podcast, Corey sits down with Boone and Ben, founders of Highland Style, the clean-beauty disruptors behind the now-iconic phrase: Stop Putting Sh*t In Your Hair. What started as two friends fed up with toxic, lab-engineered formulas turned into a mission to create prestige products rooted in health, sustainability, and uncompromising performance. From ruined cookware to award-winning products now found nationwide, this story is equal parts grit, curiosity, and conviction. How frustration with toxic products sparked the Highland mission The early apartment-stovetop era and the first Glacial Clay Pomade batches Why clean, earth-based ingredients outperform “chemical soup” The DM to Mad Rabbit’s Oliver Zak that shifted everything Why aluminum packaging is a non-negotiable The truth about preservatives & Yuka scores Why natural doesn’t mean “weak,” especially behind the chair Avoiding SKU overload in a cluttered product landscape Highland’s mission: style without compromise What’s coming in 2026 (conditioner, leave-in, high-hold, and more) “We resolved to create prestige products that deliver on the promise of stylewithout compromising on health or sustainability.” Glacial Clay Pomade Glacial Cream Highland Wash Apply for a wholesale account at Highland.style → Wholesale tab. What We Cover:Highland’s Mission:Products Mentioned:For Pros:

    54 min
  3. 11/10/2025

    AI for Hairstylists: How Chrystal Graves’ LiQUiD Boosts Salon Profits

    AI for Hairstylists: How Chrystal Graves’ LiQUiD Boosts Salon ProfitsSeason 8, Episode 46 — Your Day Off Podcast Chrystal L. Graves — Founder & CEO of LiQUiD, the first AI-powered business assistant built for hairstylists and salon owners. A former stylist, salon owner, and educator, Chrystal created LiQUiD to help beauty professionals make more money without working more. She’s a Techstars alum, Modern Salon Top 100 honoree, and Missouri Startup Weekend winner, with over 16 years in the beauty industry. Chrystal has coached hundreds of salon owners, led innovation for major beauty brands, and now leads the charge in bringing AI to the beauty business. Can AI actually make your salon more profitable? 💡In this episode, co-host Katie May joins Corey to sit down with Chrystal Graves, the visionary behind LiQUiD — the first AI-powered business assistant for hairstylists. Chrystal shares how a single idea in a coffee shop turned into an award-winning tech startup that’s changing how stylists price, plan, and grow. From real-time pricing intelligence to automated consultations and smart decision-making, LiQUiD is redefining how salon professionals think about business — so you can create more and stress less. How Chrystal turned a 56-hour startup pitch into a funded AI company Why hairstylists need data-driven pricing, not emotional pricing How AI helps you track profitability and retention Automating consultations and product recommendations The future of tech-driven growth in the beauty industry 💻 Try LiQUiD for free: https://getliquid.ai📱 Follow Chrystal: https://www.instagram.com/chrystalgraves_/🌐 Learn more: https://www.getliquid.ai 🎧 Your Day Off Podcast — available on all platforms🎙️ Co-Host: Katie May Guest:Episode SummaryKey Topics & TakeawaysLinks & Resources

    52 min
  4. 11/03/2025

    Jennifer Boutwell- Healing After Trauma, Rebuilding Confidence & Finding Peace

    Guest: Jennifer Boutwell — salon owner, industry leader, consultant, and author of I See You: A Guide to Finding Your Inner Strength, Confidence, and Voice after Trauma and Abuse (Gretna, LA). She spent 30 years behind the chair before stepping into full-time entrepreneurship and consulting. She’s also a proud mom to Conner & Bryson (and furbaby Cooper).From a mall salon start to owning Salon Sanity, from a Redken makeover to paying off IRS debt in a year, Jennifer opens up about rebuilding with structure, healing after loss, and writing a book to help others move from trauma to true self-worth. We dig into NLP, morning rituals, meditation, gardening, and the power of “white space” in your calendar. Origin story: Gretna roots → Foxy Lady with Grandma → Regis → owning her own salon Rebrand & rebirth: why she dropped the founder’s name and created Salon Sanity — a calm space in an insane world Summit shift: systems, accountability, and paying off debt fast Healing & the book: losing her sister Gabrielle, confronting childhood trauma, and transforming pain into purpose NLP & self-awareness: spotting blind spots, rewriting patterns Presence & surrender: rituals, nature, and saying no to misalignment Leadership & legacy: empowering others to rediscover voice & confidence Barnes & Noble Balboa Press More info: jenniferjboutwell.com 📲 Connect with JenniferInstagram → @jennifer_j_boutwell Key Topics & Takeaways**Links & Resources Amazon

    52 min
  5. 10/27/2025

    Ben Mollin- Deconstructed: Kill the Thing That’s Killing You

    Guest: Ben F’n Mollin — celebrity hairdresser turned endurance athlete, suicide prevention specialist, and author of Deconstructed: Kill the Thing That’s Killing You. Corey sits down with longtime friend and industry legend Ben F’n Mollin for a raw, unfiltered conversation about burning down everything that was killing him — and rebuilding a life grounded in truth, grit, and miles. From Bravo’s Shear Genius to rockstar educator status, Ben lived the dream: fame, travel, and recognition. But behind it was debt, addiction, and a breaking point that almost ended his life on April 1, 2018. Instead, he chose to deconstruct everything — walking away from the salon, the brands, and the spotlight to rediscover himself through endurance sports and deep inner work. Now a punk-rock, Cali-sober, non-practicing Jew who turned survival into service, Ben shares how he became an Ironman, an ultramarathoner, and a suicide prevention speaker — pacing others on their path back to purpose. From Shear Genius to the Edge: What overnight fame feels like and why success can be just as dangerous as failure. Breaking Point: The moment Ben told his wife he planned to end his life — and how speaking up saved him. The Deconstruction Process: How he “killed” his career instead of himself and rebuilt from silence, sobriety, and stillness. Movement as Medicine: How walking became running, which became Ironman Mont-Tremblant and eventually 100+ mile ultramarathons. Mindset of a Warrior: Lessons from endurance racing that mirror survival, discipline, and recovery. From Burnout to Purpose: Why Ben now helps others confront their demons through The Ben Mollin Project and public speaking. Redemption at 50: Returning to the Sedona Canyon 125 in 2025, the race that once broke him — and finishing it in spiritual triumph. “Don’t kill yourself — kill the thing that’s killing you.” “When it gets hard, that’s when you have to create.” “Success can be just as dangerous as failure.” “Discomfort isn’t pain — it’s growth.” 🌐 Website: benfnmollin.com 📘 Pre-Order the Book: benmollin.systeme.io/pre-order 🎤 Founder of The Ben Mollin Project — transformational events on mindset, recovery, and finding your power If you or someone you love is struggling, please call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). Episode OverviewWhat You’ll LearnQuotable MomentsConnect with Ben

    1h 12m
  6. 10/20/2025

    Garrison Neill- Shock & Awe

    Shock & AweGuest: Garrison Neill – Neill Group (@garrisonneill)Mentioned: @seriousbusinessconf Episode Summary:In this episode of Your Day Off Podcast, host Corey Gray sits down with Garrison Neill, Chief Marketing Officer of Neill Corporation and President of Paris Parker Salons and Spas. As part of a third-generation family business shaping the future of beauty through education, artistry, and innovation, Garrison shares how Neill Corporation continues its 78-year legacy of helping people reach their full potential through beauty. Neill Corporation’s portfolio includes Paris Parker, Parker Barber, VoMor Hair Extensions, Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes, and the industry’s leading personal and business development conference — Serious Business. In this inspiring conversation, Garrison and Corey explore the story behind Neill’s multi-generational success, how Serious Business became the hair industry’s TED Talk, and why connection-based leadership is transforming how salons grow. The 2025 theme, Shock & Awe, challenges professionals to find gratitude, wonder, and presence in a world that never stops moving. Highlights: The Neill family legacy: 78 years of leadership, education, and evolution How Serious Business became a movement for personal and professional growth “Connection drives results” — the modern leadership philosophy reshaping salon culture The comeback of craft, artistry, and in-person learning The purpose behind Shock & Awe: seeing beauty in the chaos 🎧 Your Day Off Podcast – Season 8, Episode 43Available on all podcast platforms

    48 min
  7. 10/13/2025

    Depot Male Tools Global Ambassadors- Luca Malnati, Dario J Braun, Tom Hoffman

    Corey Gray and co-host Geno Chapman (@genochapman) sit down in Ibiza with Depot Male Tools Global Ambassadors — Luca Malnati (@luca.malnati), Dario J Braun (@dariobarbers.nl), and Tom Hoffman (@diligents_tom @diligentssalons) — for a raw, funny, and inspiring conversation about creativity, connection, and community in the barber world. Recorded live at Hairtopia, powered by BeautyNova, this episode captures the unique energy of an event that feels more like a beach festival than a hair show. The group dives into how freedom fuels artistry, what it means to collaborate without ego, and how barbers can protect their mental space while building meaningful careers. You’ll hear:• How the Depot team turned a stage show into a full-on Ibiza vibe• The art of street casting real people for authentic work• Why teamwork and honest feedback create better shows• How to reset after high-energy events without burning out• The practice of asking for opportunities — not waiting for them• Why what you consume shapes your next five years The conversation moves easily from humor to honesty — from travel chaos and music inspiration to deep talk on leadership, self-awareness, and gratitude for the craft. It’s barbers being human, and that’s exactly what makes it resonate. 🎧 Your Day Off PodcastSeason 8 Episode 42 – Depot Male Tools Global Ambassadors-Luca Malnati, Dario J Braun, Tom Hoffman Available on all podcast platforms

    57 min
4.9
out of 5
398 Ratings

About

This is @Hairdustry our weekly “Your Day Off” Podcast. We are hairstylist that bring you the success stories of the Hair Industry! Look for new Episodes with killer hair peeps every week on your day off! instagram.com/hairdustry Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hairdustry/support