How To Cut It in the Hairdressing Industry

Where can a career in hair really take you? That’s the question at the heart of this episode—and why I’m sharing a special Whair To (W-H-A-I-R To) sampler with you.

Whair To is the new short, punchy, question-led podcast from the soon to launch hair industry opportunity platform Spotd, built around real stories from people working across our industry. No heavy studio chat. No host. Just straight-to-the-point answers that show the many different routes a hairdressing or barbering career can open up.

In this best-of selection, you’ll hear:

Paul Corbett (Director of Advanced Education at Francesco Hair Salons) on going from apprentice to creative director, salon owner and international educator—and why simply showing up to events, learning from others, and committing to mentorship can change everything.

Lawson Bliss on entering the industry almost by accident, finding his feet in Birmingham, and discovering that understanding the business side of hair can be the difference between a job and a long-term career—plus what it meant to open a salon with his mum.

Jax Hirst (founder of the Never Just Hair Facebook group) on freelancing, running a home studio, building education and mentoring projects, and the realities of boundaries, energy, communication—and knowing when to ask for help.

Rob Howes (Wella Professionals) on a journey that’s taken him from college to cruise ships, salon life and education, into digital and data—alongside a setback that taught him resilience and proved just how many directions this industry can take you.

If you’ve ever wondered what’s possible in hair beyond the chair—or you’re looking for that spark of motivation—this one’s for you. And if you want the full stories, you can find the complete episodes by subscribing to Whair To? wherever you get your podcasts.

Hit play, and see WHAIR hair can take you!

 


CHAPTERS

0:10 Podcast Intro
0:57 Introducing WHAIR To?
2:34 Spotd Launch
5:00 Paul’s Career Journey
8:56 Lawson’s Salon Story
11:14 Jax Builds Community
15:04 Rob’s Education Path
18:23 Wrap-Up

 


RESOURCES

Learn more on Spotd by going to getspotdapp.com
Connect with Spotd on Instagram @getspotdapp
Listen and subscribe to WHAIR To? podcast on Apple Podcasts HERE
Listen and subscribe to WHAIR To? podcast on Spotify HERE
Connect with Rob Howes on Instagram @thewellahairguy
Connect with Jax Hirst on Instagram @jaxrhair
Connect with Lawson Bliss Instagram @lawsonbliss 
Connect with Paul Corbett Instagram @paulcorbett.hairdresser

Can a hairdresser and brand truly serve both consumers and the industry? That’s the hook of this episode—and the focus of our follow-up to our most-downloaded podcast of 2025. Recorded live at HairCon, with renowned celebrity hairstylist and founder of mdlondon, Michael Douglas.
Friend of the How To Cut It podcast, Michael Douglas is back to share why he’s returned to an industry event after building a consumer-led platform and launching mdlondon tools and styling products. He argues there’s no real divide between “professional” and “consumer” because it’s the same client, and says his lockdown Instagram Lives proved that sharing expertise fuels salon bookings rather than replacing them.
Michael addresses the industry backlash he faced, charts mdlondon’s evolution—from a shelved cordless concept during lockdown supply issues to early sales struggles and a Black Friday turnaround—and urges hairdressers to share knowledge, go live to attract clients, and help bring new talent into the industry.
This is a conversation you’ll have an opinion on, either way!
 



Chapters
 

4:19 Lockdown Consumer Pivot
11:12 Lives Build Demand
15:58 MD London Origin
18:47 Shampoo Myths
20:05 Retailing in Salons
25:22 Building the Next Generation
27:17 Breaking Into Celebrity
29:14 Education and Opportunity
31:04 Salon Partnership Deal

 



 
Resources
MD London Website: mdlondon.com 

MD London on Instagram: @mdlondon

HairCon on Instagram @hairconshow

Spotd App find out more getspotdapp.com

Connect with Spotd on Instagram @getspotdapp

How To Cut It on Instagram @howtocutit

Still guessing your prices?

If you’re a freelance hairdresser or salon owner who feels guilty raising rates, this episode is your permission slip—and your plan. In this How To Cut It panel, Georgia Bell, Ruth Lundstrum (Freelance Suite), Samantha Toogood, and Samantha Blues reveal why hair pros undercharge and how to price with confidence. We strip emotion from money, swap rigid menus for bespoke, hair-type packages, and build pricing that covers wages, tax/VAT, profit, pensions, sick pay, education, and cancellations. Ruth busts the “clients can’t afford it” myth—spending is a choice—and shares real numbers, including intentionally outpriced services that prove value sells.

Learn when to raise prices, how to stay booked, and the differences between salon and solo realities, plus the financial gaps NVQs leave behind.


CHAPTERS

0:05: Pricing Playbook Kickoff
7:47: VAT, Value, and Priorities
11:19: Real Rates, Real Services
18:10: Fear, Packages, and Price Hikes
20:31: Money, Greed, and Freedom
24:40: Educate, Earn, and Level Up
25:54: Business Basics and Profit
27:34: Comfortable Living Defined
28:36: Property, Branding, and Pensions
31:16: Financial Education for All




RESOURCES

REGISTER TO JOIN SPOTD HERE
FREELANCER SUITE CLICK HERE
SAMANTHA BLUES CSI CLICK HERE
GEORGIA BELL EDUCATION CLICK HERE
@georgiagracebell/
@ruth__lund
@samanthabluescolourcoach
@toogood_hair_well_being_

In today’s episode, Dom chats with Darren Cunningham and George Waterfield, owners of Leicester’s The Secret Garden, on building a truly welcoming, LGBTQ+ inclusive salon—and why inclusion is both practical and profitable.

Hear how they opened at speed, navigated Leicester’s lockdown from a family garage, and replaced “ladies/gents” with gender‑neutral, length‑ and time‑based pricing. They share lessons on risk‑taking, constant education, and turning hate toward their Pride flag into powerful community solidarity, culminating in a 140‑person drag‑queen re‑raising.

Plus, their growth playbook: DMing influencers, smart pro bono collabs that led to Netflix premiere work and headline moments, and brand partnerships with L’Oréal. If you want culture, pricing, and marketing strategies that actually move the needle, this one’s for you. Hit Play!

 



 

CHAPTERS

2:36: Pricing Without Labels
5:02: Hairdressing Journeys
8:03: How They Met
9:13: Strengths In Partnership
13:01: From Idea To Salon
15:00: COVID Garage Pivot
17:46: Influencer Wins
20:26: Kate Price Event
22:57: Finding Inclusive Pricing
24:56: Gender-Neutral Pricing
28:02: Brand Impact
29:16: Hate And The Flag
30:53: Community Support Rally:
32:50: Simple Inclusion Steps
34:07: Rethinking The Menu
36:13: Awards And Brands
38:35: Saying Yes To Growth
39:41: Dreaming Bigger
43:36: Future Goals

 



EPISODE RESOURCES

Connect with The Secret Garden on Instagram @thesecretgardenhair
DISCOVER TODAY SPONSORS KERATIN COMPLEX PRODUCTS HERE

Are scary ingredient headlines warping your colour decisions? In this episode brought to you by Wella Professionals UKI, we’re joined by Ursus Schweitzer—an R&D connector who bridges the lab and the salon floor. He observes how productsare really used, then translates complex chemistry into clear, salon-ready truths.

Ursus cuts through the noise and decode what’s really inside the bottle so you can make smarter choices and educate clients with confidence.

You’ll learn how to separate study-based evidence from clickbait, why full formulations and purpose-built systems (including alkalizers) matter more than single “hero” or “villain” ingredients, how credible sourcing, biodegradability, and sustainability guide modern development, and practical ways to translate science into salon language.

An episode perfect for hairdressers and salon owners who are ready to swap noise for knowledge. Hit play!

 



 

CHAPTERS

6:32: Why Ingredients Matter Now
10:54: Ammonia Versus MEA
16:15: The Truth About Controversial Ingredients
21:06: Talking Confidence With Clients
23:08: Busting Ammonia Myths
26:05: Responding To Ingredient Concerns
28:24: The Future Of Formulation
33:13: Curiosity Over Caution

 





RESOURCES


FOR MORE ON WELLA EDUCATION CLICK HERE
VISIT WELLA STORE HERE
CONNECT WITH WELLA PROFESSIONALS UKI ON INSTAGRAM @WELLAPROFESSIONALSUKI