How To Cut It in the Hairdressing Industry

What if your next job, chair, brand deal, or education booking didn’t come from battling an algorithm—but from one app built only for the hair industry? Meet Spotd!

In this episode of How To Cut It, I’m Dom Lehane, and I’m joined by my fellow Spotd co-founders Richard England-Lee and Ollie Johns to break down Spotd—our soon to launch iOS and Android opportunity platform designed for hairdressers, barbers, salon owners, educators, and brands.

We share why we built it, what problems it solves, and what you can expect at launch. Think location-based opportunity alerts, curated profiles that work like a portfolio/CV, and a cleaner, more professional way to connect—without the noise of social media.

We’re building Spotd in public, and your feedback matters. Want early access (and a chance to test it)? Join the waitlist at getspotdapp.com.

If you’re ready for your next big move in the hair industry—or just want to learn more—press play!

 



 
Episode Resources

JOIN THE SPOTD WAITLIST: VISIT GETSPOTDAPP.COM
CONNECT WITH SPOTD ON INSTAGRAM @GETSPOTDAPP
FOLLOW SPOTD ON TIKTOK @GETSPOTDAPP
GET TICKETS FOR HAIRCON VISIT HERE : (USE CODE HTCI10 FOR 10% DISCOUNT)
CONNECT WITH HAIRCON ON INSTAGRAM @HAIRCONSHOW
FOLLOW HOW TO CUT IT ACROSS SOCIALS @HOWTOCUTIT

 



 
Chapters

0:40 Introducing Spotd
2:27 Meet the Co-Founders
3:47 The Importance of Spotd
5:40 Transitioning to the Hair Industry
7:02 What Is Spotd?
8:59 Solving Industry Problems
11:58 How Does Spotd Work?
12:33 User Experience and Profiles
15:09 Opportunities and Connections
19:04 Building the App
22:43 Building In Public
25:46 Project Features
30:12 Engaging with the Community
34:57 Event Management on Spot
38:58 Future Plans for Spotd
48:15 The Game-Changing Vision

Ever thought about adding hair extensions to your menu, but stopped because you’re not sure how to learn them properly, the return on investment, or whether the hair is ethically sourced?

In this HTCI x Remi Cachet partnered episode, I sit down with Remy Cachet founder Victoria Lynch to get into the real questions: what responsible sourcing and sustainability actually mean in the extensions world, what salons should be asking suppliers, and where the red flags are.

We also break down the learning curve—how to move from “extensions-curious” to confidently offering them as a professional service, what training should include, and why consistency, standards and support matter just as much as the hair itself.

If you want to build a new revenue stream without compromising your values, this conversation will give you clarity and a practical way forward.

 



Chapters

4:53: Understanding Hair Issues
6:52: Passion for Hairdressing
8:25: The Rise of Remi Cachet
9:55: Ethical Considerations in Hair Extensions
12:20: Achieving B Corp Certification
14:51:  Sustainable Practices in Packaging
17:17: Global Expansion Plans
18:57: Supporting the Next Generation
20:11: Red Flags in Choosing Suppliers
28:23: Innovation and Adaptation in Extensions
38:12: The Super Stylist Community
43:55: Education and Training Changes
49:58: Giving Back Through Change A Girl's Life
1:00:05: Future Aspirations and Market Growth

 



Resources from todays episode

FOR MORE ON REMI CACHET VISIT REMICACHET.COM
CONNECT WITH REMI CACHET ON INSTAGRAM @REMICACHET
CONNECT WITH VICTORIA ON INSTAGRAM @VICTORIAREMICACHET

Want to become a session stylist? This episode with Anna Chapman is the practical route in — not the fantasy.

I’m back in the HTCI PodShed with Anna Chapman, a leading session hair stylist with an instinctive understanding of hair and over a decade in top salons before moving into the session world. Todaywe’re to have real catch-up since we last spoke in 2020 podcast episode. Anna breaks down the actual steps to get into session work today: how to position yourself if you’re coming from salon, why session styling is a different job entirely, and what you need to do first to get on set.

We get into the assisting ladder (what assistants really do, how to reach out, how to follow up, and how to get yourself rebooked), plus the skills that matter when the pressure’s on for major brands. Anna also shares what to post on Instagram if you want work—how to show range, not just “glam”—and why persistence, visibility and standards are the long game.

If you’re serious about building a career in session hair, start here.



 

CHAPTERS

1:25: Breaking into Session Styling
6:47: The Reality of Assisting
12:21: Getting Paid as an Assistant
15:04: Defining Session Stylists
19:35: The Importance of Communication
23:11: Challenges for Women in the Industry
27:20: The Competitive Landscape
34:33: The Path to Success
37:49: The Importance of Apprenticeships
43:09: The Role of Social Media
50:26: How to Become an Assistant



 

RESOURCES FROM TODAYS EPISODE

FOLLOW ANNA CHAPMAN ON INSTAGRAM @ANNACHAPMANHAIR
FOR EVERYTHING SESSION KIT CLICK HERE 
CONNECT WITH SESSION KIT ON INSTAGRAM @SESSIONKIT
GET TICKETS FOR HAIRCON VISIT HERE : (USE CODE HTCI10 FOR 10% DISCOUNT)
CONNECT WITH HAIRCON ON INSTAGRAM @HAIRCONSHOW
FOLLOW HOW TO CUT IT ACROSS SOCIALS @HOWTOCUTIT

In this weeks episode we go behind the scenes of hair colour innovation in a podcast partnership with Wella Professionals UKI. We're joined by James Earnshaw (Global Wella Professionals Ambassador) and Jordanna Cobella (award-winning salon owner and Wella Colour and Trends Ambassador) and together they'll be breaking down what really happens when hairdressers help shape professional hair products.

They'll be talking BlondorPlex developments, Ultimate Colour, and the real-world feedback that changes formulas, speeds up services, and improves consistency behind the chair. You’ll hear how to translate “new tech” into simple client language, protect your results between visits, and position professional products without awkward selling.

If you want stronger blonding outcomes, cleaner toning workflows, and a smarter way to explain fade, maintenance, and pricing—this episode is packed with practical takeaways you can use in the salon straight away. Hit play and enjoy!

 



 
Chapters

3:08: Behind the Scenes with Wella Professionals
3:16: Insights from R&D Development
6:32: Collaboration for Product Innovation
9:38: Creating Unique Toner Shades
18:45: Bridging Science and Hairdressing
21:42: The Importance of Client Communication
22:54: Packaging and Pricing Strategies
25:25: Understanding Color Longevity
28:29: The Evolution of Hairdressing Careers

 



 
Resources from todays episode:
FOR MORE ON BLONDORPLEX CLICK HERE

FOR MORE ON ULTIMATE COLOR CLICK HERE

VISIT WELLA STORE HERE

WELLA EDUCATION CLICK HERE

CONNECT WITH WELLA PROFESSIONALS UKI ON INSTAGRAM @WELLAPROFESSIONALSUKI

FOLLOW WELLA PROFESSIONALS UKI ON TIKTOK @HOUSEOFWELLAUKI

WATCH THE PODCAST INTERVIEW ON YOUTUBE HERE @HOWTOCUTIT

CONNECT WITH HOW TO CUT IT ON INSTAGRAM @HOWTOCUTIT

FOLLOW HOW TO CUT IT ON TIKTOK @HOWTOCUTIT

Welcome to Part 1 of a two-part series where I’m joined by Alex Walker—a Torquay-based haircutting specialist, educator and the founder of AW Hair and Alex Walker Education. We recorded this episode inside Alex’s purpose-built education studio in Torquay, Devon (UK)—a dedicated space away from the salon where hairdressers can learn through in-person sessions, small groups, and online education, while staying connected to real, commercial salon work.

Alex’s journey began at 17, when he fell into hairdressing almost by accident. What started as a job became a craft. He went all-in on haircutting—especially short hair—with a mission to raise standards and help hairdressers understand the why behind what they do.

We dig into the realities of ambition, rapid growth, and salon ownership—and the moment everything changed. After his businesses went into liquidation, Alex was left asking: “I haven’t got five days’ worth of clients… what am I gonna do now?”

This is a powerful conversation on resilience, rebuilding, and staying commercially relevant.

 



 
Chapters:

11:11: The Journey of Self-Belief
21:27: Transitioning from Hairdresser to Salon Owner
22:54: The Hard Lessons of Business
27:55: The Shift to Education
32:34: Financial Insights and Stability
38:30: Balancing Family and Career Dreams

 



 
Resources from todays episode:

Join the waitlist for Spotd HERE
Follow Spotd on Instagram @getspotdapp
Alex Walker Salon CLICK HERE 
Connect with Alex on Instagram @alexwalkereducation
Alex Walker online haircutting education HERE
For everything else Alex Walker CLICK HERE
View our video podcast with Alex Walker on YouTube @howtocutit
Connect with How To Cut It on Instagram @howtocutit