The Connector, the official podcast of Intercoiffure America Canada, is designed to connect salon owners and professionals with the leaders, artists, and innovators shaping the future of professional salons. Each episode brings listeners into thoughtful conversations with some of the most interesting voices from across the industry—from salon owners and rising leaders to educators, artists, brand innovators, and technology pioneers.

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Renowned salon business educator and coach Antony Whitaker returns for a practical conversation about the numbers every salon owner should understand. Drawing on Zenoti’s 2026 Beauty &amp; Wellness Benchmark Report: Salon Edition and Antony’s recent @GrowMySalonBusiness podcast episode, “The Numbers Don’t Lie,” we explore profitability, rebooking, and client retention, plus how existing clients are driving much of the industry’s growth and why that second visit matters so much.

25. Salon Business Benchmarks: Growth, Profit & Client Retention with Antony Whitaker

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What does great education look like in an industry increasingly shaped by social media, independent work, and fewer opportunities for mentorship? Seven-time NAHA winner and 22-time NAHA nominee Ruth Roche joins us for a candid conversation about the future of education and why mastering the foundations still matters. Drawing on four decades in professional beauty, Ruth shares her perspective on mentorship, creativity, social media, and the importance of understanding the “why” behind great hairdressing.

24. Ruth Roche on the Future of Hairdressing Education: Mentorship, Skills & Staying Creative

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Sudheer Koneru, founder and CEO of Zenoti, joins Gordon for a forward-looking conversation about AI, data and the changing salon business. At the center of the conversation is a bigger idea: AI isn’t about replacing the human side of beauty. It’s about removing friction, strengthening teams and giving salon leaders new tools to build better businesses.They also dig into Zenoti’s industry benchmark data, including slowing guest traffic, the surprising growth of salon membership models, changing consumer behavior and the importance of protecting the lifetime value of every client.

23. How AI Is Changing the Salon Business with Zenoti CEO Sudheer Koneru

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Alain Audet of SalonInteractive and The Kim Report unpacks the latest salon performance data (through June 30, &#39;26). Together with host Gordon MIller, they explore the trends, benchmarks, and KPIs that matter most to salon owners, and discuss how actionable data can help leaders coach their teams, improve performance, and build more profitable businesses.

22. Alain Audet on The Kim Report, the Power of Salon Data & the KPIs Driving Profitability

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What really happens to all the hair, foils and unused color salons throw away? Sarah Babington of Green Circle Salons joins Gordon for an eye-opening look at where salon waste goes and what it can become. They explore how smarter waste practices can strengthen culture, attract talent, build client loyalty and even reduce costs. Sustainability is good for the planet, but it can also be very good business.

21. Waste Less, Lead More: The Business Case for Sustainable Salons

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John Harms, founder and chairman of Meevo by Millennium, has helped shape how salons use technology. He joins host Gordon Miller to discuss innovation, the growing role of artificial intelligence, and the business practices that drive salon success. It’s a forward-looking conversation grounded in John&#39;s nearly four decades of industry experience.

20. Meevo Founder John Harms on Salon Technology, AI & Business Success

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Curly Oasis Salon owner Wafaya Abdallah joins Gordon Miller to discuss compensation plans, productivity, workplace culture and specialization—and how salon owners can build stronger, more successful businesses in today’s changing industry.

19. Building a Stronger Salon with Wafaya Abdallah

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For nearly six decades, Penzone Salons + Spas has been recognized for its commitment to education, innovation, and culture. President &amp; CEO Debbie Penzone shares how those values continue to shape the organization and introduces Base One, the company&#39;s new education and event space designed to foster learning, collaboration, and connection across the professional beauty community.

18. Debbie Penzone | Inside Base One and Building Culture Through Education

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Antony Whitaker, founder of Grow My Salon Business and host of the Grow My Salon Business podcast, joins Gordon to explore 10 powerful trends shaping the future of salons. From shifting workforce dynamics and changing consumer expectations to the impact of demographics, the economy, and the environment, Antony shares sharp insights on the forces reshaping our industry.

17. Antony Whitaker: 10 Trends Shaping the Future of Salons

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By any measure, Sam Villa is one of the most renowned educators in the world. Sam joins us to discuss the power of connections and collaboration as well as his hopes for the future. We dig into the state of education for professionals as those with &#34;influence&#34; take to platforms and the front of classrooms throughout the industry.

16. Icons & Masters: Heart to Heart with Sam Villa

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At just 30 years old, Ameet Kallarackal is quickly becoming one of beauty&#39;s rising leaders. Gordon talks with the Glammatic co-founder about building a company straight out of college, learning leadership without a traditional mentor or boss, and his perspective on innovation, AI, and the future of salon technology.

15. Ameet Kallarackal: Leadership, AI and the Future of Salon Discovery

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As the founder and CEO of Phorest, Ronan Perceval has spent nearly two decades helping salons better understand their clients, their businesses, and the opportunities hidden within their data. In this episode, Gordon and Ronan discuss the evolving beauty tech landscape and its impact on salons - including how AI is NOT “changing everything”.

14. Tech + the Salon with Ronan Perceval, Founder & CEO of Phorest

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Award-winning salon owner Michaella Blisset Williams is the founder and CEO of Salon 718, with eight locations across Brooklyn. A passionate industry leader and ICA Board member, Michaella brings a powerful perspective on leadership, culture, and team building that is highly relevant to the future salons.

13. Leadership & Culture with Salon 718 Founder/CEO Michaella Blissett Williams

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Award-winning editorial stylist and texture artist Naeemah LaFond is known for blending fashion, culture, and creativity into bold, unforgettable looks. She has appeared on runways around the world as well as in Vogue, Glamour, Allure, ELLE, and WWD. The Global Brand Ambassador for Olaplex and Shark Beauty is Founder &amp; Creative Director of Texture on Set, an annual conference focused on artistry and building community. Naeemah joins Gordon for an inspired conversation.

12. Icons and Masters: Naeemah LaFond, Texture on Set

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Michael Cole, one of the leading and most innovative voices in salon business education and coaching for over 30 years, is the co-founder of Salon Summit Business Center (&#34;Summit&#34;) and the founder of the Salon Development Corporation. In 2023, Michael joined  the PCI Academy Leadership Team where he works with future professionals pushing the boundaries of innovation and education as it relates to coaching being foundational to every professional&#39;s future success. His Instagram profile, @MichaelColeInspires is a must follow account for any professional looking to thoughtfully grow their careers and/or larger businesses.

11. The Ultimate KPI: Staff Retention with Michael Cole

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Tabatha Coffey is, without question, one of the most iconic, well-known, and most respected hairdressers on the planet today.  Her no-nonsense take on building a successful career and business in our industry has inspired countless professionals to greater success. Tabatha joins host and ICA General Manager Gordon Miller to discuss the power of our mindsets to impact our careers, businesses, and lives in profoundly positive ways.

10. Icons & Masters: Tabatha Coffey on Mindset

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Known throughout the industry as an absolute master of the art, craft, and business of hairdressing, Candy Shaw is also among Intercoiffure&#39;s most recognized and respected members. The 2025 NAHA Educator of the Year has been changing careers and lives for decades. In this episode, Candy brings us some of the stories, beliefs, and practices behind her most iconic career.

9. Icons and Master: Candy Shaw, Sunlights Pro & Jamison Shaw Hairdressers

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A member of the iconic Neill family (owners of Neill Corp, Serious Business, Aveda Arts Institutes, Paris Parker Salons), hairdresser, and founder of Elevate Hair, Tatum has made his unique mark on the industry. He joins Gordon to discuss leadership in 2026, the state of social media, and even a dive into hair trends.

8. Leadership with Tatum Neill, Elevate, Neill Corp

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Sam Brocato returns to share more of his very practical perspective on AI&#39;s power to transform salons. Sam Brocato Salon uses AI across virtually every area of the business. From staff training and 24/7 customer support to financial and business analysis, we dig into some real-world examples of how AI is benefiting Sam&#39;s team, clients, and larger business.

7. AI and the Salon, Part 2: Sam Brocato, Sam Brocato Salon

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AI Artistic Director Sonya Dove joins The Connector to preview “The Power of Connection.” She shares how creativity is shaped through collaboration, culture, and community—and why the relationships we build, behind the chair and beyond, are essential to growth, inspiration, and lasting success in today’s evolving salon industry.

6. Icons & Masters Series: ICA & Wella Professionals Sonya Dove

The Connector, the official podcast of Intercoiffure America Canada, is designed to connect salon owners and professionals with the leaders, artists, and innovators shaping the future of professional salons. Each episode brings listeners into thoughtful conversations with some of the most interesting voices from across the industry—from salon owners and rising leaders to educators, artists, brand innovators, and technology pioneers.