The Dressing Gown CEO

The Dressing Gown CEO
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The Dressing Gown CEO is a look inside the mind and business of Emily Ciardiello; Creative Director and CEO (Chief of Everything… aka the one who gets shit done) of Foil Me, a multi-million-dollar global hair brand that started in a back shed and now designs and manufactures aesthetically beautiful, high-performance hair tools for hairdressers worldwide. Expect real talk, and conversations with inspiring founders, business owners, and artists, sharing how their journeys truly began; not just the polished highlight reel. It’s real, it’s raw, it’s authentic. It’s The Dressing Gown CEO.

  1. 3D AGO

    A Sneak Peek Into Metamorphosis

    In this episode of The Dressing Gown CEO, Emily sits down with James Henderson and Sophie Margetts, two of the key presenters for Foil Me’s upcoming education event, Metamorphosis. This conversation goes far beyond hair and is a sneak peek into the upcoming event. We tell all of what it REALLY takes to grow in the hair industry; from mindset and self-belief to communication, consultations and stepping outside your comfort zone. James, salon owner of Clarity and certified mindset coach, shares how confidence, energy and communication behind the chair can transform not only your salon career but your entire life. Sophie, salon owner and Redken educator, dives into the consultation process that has helped her build deep client trust; and why creating a client journey, not just a service, is the secret to long-term success. Throughout the conversation we discuss: • Why self-belief is one of the most powerful tools a hairdresser can develop• The biggest mindset shift salon professionals need to make• Why consultation can make or break your business• How stepping outside your comfort zone creates real growth• What apprentices and emerging stylists should focus on early in their careers• Why education is still one of the most powerful investments you can make If you’re a stylist, salon owner, apprentice or creative professional looking to evolve in your craft and career; this episode will leave you inspired, challenged and ready to take the next step. Because real transformation doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when you choose it. Tickets to our upcoming event (Monday the 16th of March) are available here: https://www.foilme.com.au/products/foil-me-metamorphosis-community-education-eventConnect with our guests: James: https://www.instagram.com/clarity_parkside/ https://www.instagram.com/james.kym.henderson.111/ Sophie: https://www.instagram.com/socohsalon https://www.instagram.com/sophiesocoh/ Connect with host, Emily + Foil Me: https://www.instagram.com/foilme.thedressinggownceo/ https://www.instagram.com/foilmefoils/ www.foilmefoils.com - USA website www.foilme.com.au - AUS website

    25 min
  2. 12 Years of Foil Me: The Wins, The $50K Mistakes & What Built Us

    MAR 5

    12 Years of Foil Me: The Wins, The $50K Mistakes & What Built Us

    Hellooo! How exciting that I got to do another episode recording with my hubby and co-owner of Foil Me, Ili! He has a WEALTH of knowledge and a very chill way of explaining stuff so listen up as we go through the mistakes, the wins and the stories of 12 years of building Foil Me. Which was an idea that became a global business that is now doing over $4 million in revenue.  We talk about: – How Foil Me actually started – The product decisions that changed everything (hello, wide foils 👋) – The accidental launch that sold out in 24 hours – How Instagram became our biggest growth driver – The $50,000 mistakes that forced us to level up – The realities of inventory, distributors and expanding overseas – Why community is our jam and always will be! This is the real story; the wins, the stresses, the lessons, and the moments that have turned us into the business owners and people we are today!  Sooooo if you haven’t already started listening, then keep reading because if you’re building a business, scaling a brand, or navigating growth, then NOW you’ll want to listen or watch (you can see me stroke Ili’s leg in a very suggestive way)… Because you can’t have 12 years of success without a few VERY expensive lessons along the way, can you? And if you say yes, you’re lying! Connect with host, Emily + Foil Me: https://www.instagram.com/foilme.thedressinggownceo/ https://www.instagram.com/foilmefoils/ www.foilmefoils.com - USA website www.foilme.com.au - AUS website

    30 min
  3. Rebecca Wood: Grief, Grit + Finding Your Power Again with Rebecca

    FEB 18

    Rebecca Wood: Grief, Grit + Finding Your Power Again with Rebecca

    In this episode of The Dressing Gown CEO, I sit down with Rebecca Wood; former hairdresser educator + salon owner turned straight-shooting coach, and host of the Rebel 25 Mentor Podcast. This conversation is real, raw, and wide open: we discuss identity shifts, resilience, boundaries and how to create and keep them, and what it looks like to rebuild yourself after devastation in your life changes everything. We Talk About: Why Rebecca left hair education behind and stepped into coaching The “aha” moment that sparked Rebel 25 The pressure women carry to do it all, and why it has to stop Grief, trauma, and what recovery actually requires Boundaries, self-worth, and reclaiming your power Pole dancing, embodiment, and learning to love yourself again. Filters, ageing, and dropping the facade that ‘everything is okay’ Content Note: This episode includes discussion of suicide and grief. Connect with Rebecca: Links to Rebecca + Rebel 25 Mentor: https://www.instagram.com/rebel25mentor/ https://www.rebel25.com.au/ https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/rebel25-the-podcast/id1824573146 Connect with host, Emily + Foil Me: https://www.instagram.com/foilme.thedressinggownceo/ https://www.instagram.com/foilmefoils/ www.foilmefoils.com - USA website www.foilme.com.au - AUS website

    55 min

  4. FEB 4

    The Hair Tool That Changed Basin Life: Mackenzie Hayward & The Attachè Line

    In this episode of The Dressing Gown CEO, I sit down with the brilliant Mackenzie Hayward; a WA hairdresser-turned-inventor who’s been in the industry since she was 15 and is now changing the way we work at the basin. We talk about why she left school at 15, how she found hairdressing through pure instinct (and a careers teacher who actually listened), and what it really takes to leap from salon life into freelancing, especially when you’re leaving behind a team you love.  Mackenzie shares the behind-the-scenes of building The Attachè Line, from sketchy mood boards and 3D-printed prototypes shipped across the country… to finally finding a manufacturer who believed in the vision and helped bring it to life. We also get honest about copycats, pricing misconceptions, the pressure of being a small Australian brand in a market flooded with cheap imports, and why Mackenzie is passionate about supporting local, not just as a slogan, but as a value. Plus: fertility and future motherhood plans, success as freedom, and what’s coming next for Attachè (including a new glove design made for dermatitis girls and basin life). If you’re a hairdresser, founder, creative or you’ve ever had an idea and thought “too hard”… this episode will light something up in you. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify / Apple Podcasts.

    1h 6m

  5. JAN 20

    Gut Instincts + Growing an Empire: The CEO Wingwoman’s Story with Olivia Jenkins

    What does it really take to build a purpose-driven business and a meaningful life? In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Emily sits down with business and marketing strategist Olivia Jenkins; also known as The CEO's Wingwoman, to unpack the story behind her multi-7-figure consulting business, the impact of being raised by a single mum and entrepreneur, and the mindset shifts that helped her scale while juggling three young kids, a husband, and a health crisis. They talk: Why intuition is every founder’s secret weapon (if you dare to follow it) Growing up in business, and how it shaped her approach to mentorship What it really means to support visionary CEOs (hint: it’s not for the faint-hearted) Navigating burnout, boundaries and a mystery illness that seemingly had no answers The moment Olivia realised peace, not just profit, is her ultimate version of success You’ll leave this episode feeling seen, inspired, and reminded that behind every powerhouse brand is a human who chose not to give up. ✨ Listen now to learn why success isn’t always loud; but it’s always personal. Plus: Don’t forget to check out Olivia’s micro-episodes on her own podcast, linked below.

    1h 10m

  6. JAN 9

    A Gentle Start to 2026: The Habits We’re Building This Year

    Welcome to the first episode of The Dressing Gown CEO for 2026. In this relaxed, honest conversation, I’m joined by a familiar voice; my husband and business partner, Ili; as we kick off the year by sharing the simple yet intentional changes we’re making to improve our lives in 2026. We walk through five habits we’re actively introducing this year, from daily movement and stretching to hydration, mindset shifts, and breaking through fear. We also share the habits we’re carrying forward from 2025; things like strength training, meditation, conscious parenting, nourishing our bodies, and refusing to make ourselves smaller. This episode isn’t about perfection, hustle, or radical overhauls. It’s about realistic habits, self-awareness, and doing what genuinely supports your health, mindset, relationships, and energy as you move into a new year. If you’re looking for a grounded, motivating start to 2026, one that feels human, practical, and achievable, this episode is for you. We’d love to know: what’s one thing you’re committing to this year to improve your life?

    16 min

  7. 12/17/2025

    2025: The year of shedding, releasing and letting go of people and expectations

    In this solo episode of The Dressing Gown CEO, I slow things down and invite you into that in-between space. The days just before Christmas, where you’re still doing life, still showing up, but your mind has already started wandering toward what’s next. Right now, it feels like the right moment to pause. Not in January; and not once the fireworks have gone off. But now, while we’re still sitting in the energy of the year that shaped us. In this episode, I reflect not on what I achieved this year, but on who I became. Because for me, that’s where the real growth lives. I share how this past year truly felt like the Year of the Snake. A year of shedding, releasing, and letting go of people, expectations, and versions of myself that no longer aligned with my happiness or my values. I talk about moving through the uncomfortable, murky moments. The ones that stretch you, test you, and quietly do their work beneath the surface before clarity appears. And how learning to trust myself more deeply changed the way I lead, how I parent, and how I show up in the world. As we prepare to step into the Year of the Horse, this episode becomes an invitation to build momentum with intention. To stop shrinking. To stop holding back. And to recognise that what you shed this year becomes the fuel you move forward with next year. I also want to take a moment to thank you. For listening, for sharing, for messaging me, and for showing up for yourselves this year. And I share a glimpse of what’s coming next for The Dressing Gown CEO, with some incredible conversations lined up for the year ahead. If you’re craving a moment of reflection, clarity, and grounding before the year ends, this episode is for you.

    6 min

  8. 11/26/2025

    Why We Weren’t Going to Do Black Friday… But Pivoted

    In this episode of The Dressing Gown CEO, Ili and I (and at times, Leo our cat) sit down for a raw, behind-the-scenes chat about Black Friday; why we almost skipped it this year, and what made us change our minds. We unpack what really goes into prepping for a week-long sale event when you're a small business. Some of the things we discuss are: consumer expectations and luxury branding, logistics of website updates, team comms, email marketing, warehouse ettiquette, and,  like always, nothing is off limits. Whether you’re a salon owner, product-based biz, or just curious how brands handle Black Friday while staying true to their purpose, their branding and their values, this one’s for you. Inside, they chat: Why they nearly said no to Black Friday this year How discounting can impact brand perception (and why it matters) The systems and planning that go into making it run smoothly Lessons learned from last year’s launch Why boundaries still matter… even during the biggest sales week of the year Stay calm, stay classy, and stay connected to your values, even during the chaos. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple or your fave platform

    12 min
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About

The Dressing Gown CEO is a look inside the mind and business of Emily Ciardiello; Creative Director and CEO (Chief of Everything… aka the one who gets shit done) of Foil Me, a multi-million-dollar global hair brand that started in a back shed and now designs and manufactures aesthetically beautiful, high-performance hair tools for hairdressers worldwide. Expect real talk, and conversations with inspiring founders, business owners, and artists, sharing how their journeys truly began; not just the polished highlight reel. It’s real, it’s raw, it’s authentic. It’s The Dressing Gown CEO.

Information

  • Creator
    The Dressing Gown CEO
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Dressing Gown CEO
  • Show Website
    The Dressing Gown CEO