Your Day Off Introduction

Episode Title: Sheri Doss… From Redken to Costa Rica to Bumble and BumbleHosts: Corey Gray and Katie May Guest: Sheri Doss, Education and Artistry at Bumble and BumbleEpisode SummarySheri Doss spent 30+ years at Redken before walking away to be near her mom in Costa Rica. She opened an 80-seat taco restaurant and thought she was done. Then Bumble and Bumble came calling.As of February 2025, Bumble is on Salon Centric shelves for the first time ever... and Sheri is leading the education behind it. Corey and Katie May dig into what that means for every hairstylist in America.What We CoverWhy a third of hairdressers leave the industry every yearHow 50 hours of cutting curriculum isn't enough to survive behind the chairWhat Bumble's Salon Centric partnership means for suite stylists and independentsBuilding a team around mission... not contracts or post quotasThe House of Bumble New York Experience launching June 2025How to get into brand education as a working stylistAbout Sheri DossSheri grew up the dau

Episode SummaryCorey Hairdustry is joined by co-host Katie May for a conversation with Ajahn Tri Dao, a Buddhist monk and spiritual counselor. Inspired by the Walk for Peace, they explore the shift from “world peace” as an idea to internal peace as a daily responsibility—and why that change matters in a loud, fast, overstimulated world.What You’ll Learn• Why Buddhism can be understood as both a religion (protected by law) and a philosophy/practice (tested in real life)• The Walk for Peace’s core message: inner peace creates the conditions for world peace• A clear definition of “suffering” (dukkha): the uneasiness that comes from resisting reality, clinging, and trying to control what you can’t• How coping behaviors often show up when people can’t sit with pain (and why slowing down changes everything)• Why America’s pace (work, stress, constant stimulation) fuels emotional reactivity and disconnection• The Middle Way: not grinding yourself into burnout, and not numbing yourself into stagnation• How to start b

Show Notes – Season 9, Episode 2What does it really take to work Paris Fashion Week as a behind-the-chair hairstylist?In this episode, Corey sits down with Dallas-based master colorist Michelle Bowden to unpack how one simple ask turned into a backstage pass to Paris.Michelle has spent 23 years in the same salon, building a loyal clientele and refining her craft as a specialist colorist. Fashion Week wasn’t part of some grand master plan. It came from staying curious, investing in education, and having the courage to raise her hand when opportunity showed up.Here’s what you’ll hear in this conversation:• How Michelle built a long-term career in one salon without job hopping• Why specializing (cut vs. color) helped her master her craft• How taking a wig and styling masterclass opened the Fashion Week door• The exact moment she asked to be considered for the team• Why she almost said no when the Paris invite came• What backstage at Fashion Week is really like (tight spaces, fast timelines, controlled chaos)• Wh

Season 9, Episode 1: State of the Industry w/ Gordon MillerIn 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 flatGuest counts are downFrequency of visit is decliningRetail dipped, especially in smaller businesses and suitesLarger team-based salons (20+ providers) are seeing growth againPrice 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

Stop Putting Sh*t In Your Hair — with Boone & Ben of Highland StyleIn 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 missionThe early apartment-stovetop era and the first Glacial Clay Pomade batchesWhy clean, earth-based ingredients outperform “chemical soup”The DM to Mad Rabbit’s Oliver Zak that shifted everythingWhy aluminum packaging is a non-negotiableThe truth about preservatives & Yuka scoresWhy natural doesn’t mean “weak,” especially behind the chairAvoiding SKU overload in a cluttered pro

AI for Hairstylists: How Chrystal Graves’ LiQUiD Boosts Salon ProfitsSeason 8, Episode 46 — Your Day Off PodcastChrystal 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?

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 salonRebrand & rebirth: why she dropped the founder’s name and created Salon Sanity — a calm space in an insane worldSummit shift: systems, accountability, and paying off debt fastHealing & the book: losing her sister Gabrielle

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 overnig

Shock & AweGuest: Garrison Neill – Neill Group (@garrisonneill)Mentioned: @seriousbusinessconfEpisode 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 &a

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 fi

Why this weekend proves social puts the scissors back in your hands?Hosts: Corey Gray with Co Host Geno Chapman @genochapmanGuests: @andrewsmithhairstylist @shelleylane_inspires @gianlucagrechi @milkshakehairproBackstage energyElectric prep… tribal goddess hair to the floor… avant garde build tactics… securing heavy pieces without drama.Social as your voiceAnd brands used to dictate the look. But hairdressers now set the trend. Therefore you can grow from any town with work that travels.Shelley’s home salonChildhood house turned calm studio. Why feel and environment matter. How education reignited a 20 year career.Gianluca’s pathLondon training… people watching for real world inspiration… AI as a sketchbook… then proving it by hand.Andrew’s lensLight and reflection as the brief. Fostering kids while touring. The heart behind the craft and what family can look like.BeautyNova x milk_shake x IbizaPoolside activations, DEPOT man cave vibes, Guinness record memories, and the Hard Rock closing as we walked out.Sea

Show Notes (listener benefits first):What if your career wasn’t just about cutting hair, but about shaping culture? In this conversation with Tatum Neill, we talk about what happens when hairdressers stop competing and start connecting. From the inspiration behind Elevate and the soulful depth of Serious Business, to how music, artistry, and community collide… you’ll hear why these events matter and how they can reignite your passion for the craft.Tatum’s story goes beyond hair. From sneaking into raves in New Orleans to building one of the most respected platforms in our industry, he shows how following creativity leads to impact. If you’ve ever felt stuck behind the chair or wondered how to find your spark again, this episode is your reminder: you already hold the power to inspire change.

Season 8, Episode 39Guest: @mistyjayne - Ranting Money

Why this is the future of salon success without burnoutJennifer Jade AlvarezSalon Owner | Speaker | Tech Advocate | Host of the Beauty Business Game Changer PodcastInstagram: @jenniferjadealvarezCo-Host: Gabby Bach @gabbymarieeditsHow Jen fully stepped away from behind the chair… and scaled instead of burned outWhy most salon owners are leaking money (and how to fix it)The mindset shift that helped her finally trust her team and stop doing everything herselfHow to implement AI, automations, and virtual assistants—even if you’re not “techy”Why Zenoti became her 10th (and final) salon softwareHow she runs two companies (salon + bridal) with different business modelsThe real reason delegating doesn’t work (unless you fix this one thing)Transitioning out of burnout and into ownershipCreating systems your team will actually useBuilding AI-driven guest experience and receptionist workflowsSmart onboarding and SOPs with ChatGPT and Prompt CowboyLetting go of perfection and embracing the 80% ruleHow AI saved her time

Why Surrender Is Presence… and Why That Changes Everything

Why This Beauty App Knows What You Need Before You DoIn this episode of Your Day Off, Corey Gray and Gabby Bach sit down with Charity Hudnall, CMO of Vagaro, to unpack the features that are making Vagaro a true ally to beauty professionals.Key takeaways:Why the textured hair badge is a game-changer for clients and stylistsWhat Vagaro is doing behind the scenes with AI (and how it's already helping your biz)Charity’s personal stories and why inclusivity isn’t a trend—it's a responsibilityReal talk on the future of trades, tech, and the industry’s human-first soulThe scoop on Iconic 25 in Napa Valley: education, wine, and industry changemakersWhether you’re running a solo suite or scaling multiple locations, this convo offers real value for how to grow your salon with purpose, tech, and heart.

t Gino Chapman to share their life-changing experience volunteering with HairAid in Cambodia. Both on their first HairAid project, Corey and Gino open up about teaching haircutting skills to people in critical poverty—from community centers to prisons—and how the week reshaped their perspectives on service, resilience, and the power of the hair industry.You’ll hear:How Corey and Gino got involved with HairAid and prepared for the tripWhat it’s like teaching six haircuts in four days with limited resources and language barriersThe impact of giving students a certificate that can change their futureEmotional highlights, including meeting graduates now running their own salonsCultural experiences in Cambodia: Angkor Wat at sunrise, Kulin Mountain waterfalls, and an elephant sanctuaryWhy “presence means surrender” became Corey’s biggest takeawayThe resilience of the Cambodian people and the lasting friendships formedWhether you’re a hairstylist looking to give back or someone curious about humanitarian work, this

Ever feel like the real innovators never get enough credit?

What fuels stylists beyond the salon chair?On this collab episode of Hairdustry x Beauty Launchpad, Olivia Thompson (@omgartistry) gets real about what it takes to stay inspired in the beauty industry—especially after the show floor lights go out.With Co-host Gabby Bach (@gabbymarieedits, Associate Managing Editor @beautylaunchpad)and Special Co-host Sophia Smith (@bysophiasmith)We talk:– Recovering from burnout– The ritual of self-care after events– Why stylists are the real athletes of the beauty world– And how community fuels creativity