Claim OwnershipNHBF Presents Sofa Talk
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Honest conversations with the people shaping our sector.
Welcome to Sofa Talk, a monthly podcast from the National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF), diving behind the scenes of the hair, beauty, barbering and aesthetics industries. Each episode brings you candid conversations with entrepreneurs, working professionals, creators, innovators, and leaders. Voices working across these four field, sharing their real-world experiences, lessons learned, and insights into growing a business or career in our sector. Expect practical takeaways, fresh perspectives, and relatable stories that reflect the ups and downs, opportunities and challenges of running or working in a salon, spa, barbershop, or aesthetic clinic.
Whether you’re a salon owner, a stylist, a barber, an aesthetic practitioner, or simply interested in the broader hair and beauty world - Sofa Talk will offer you honest, useful, and inspiring ideas to take away. Subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and join us each month for a new conversation.
Welcome to Sofa Talk, a monthly podcast from the National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF), diving behind the scenes of the hair, beauty, barbering and aesthetics industries. Each episode brings you candid conversations with entrepreneurs, working professionals, creators, innovators, and leaders. Voices working across these four field, sharing their real-world experiences, lessons learned, and insights into growing a business or career in our sector. Expect practical takeaways, fresh perspectives, and relatable stories that reflect the ups and downs, opportunities and challenges of running or working in a salon, spa, barbershop, or aesthetic clinic.
Whether you’re a salon owner, a stylist, a barber, an aesthetic practitioner, or simply interested in the broader hair and beauty world - Sofa Talk will offer you honest, useful, and inspiring ideas to take away. Subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and join us each month for a new conversation.
25 Episodes
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In this episode, we sit down with legendary British Grand Master Barber Phil Jarman, whose 35+ year journey has taken him from a traditional barbershop in Scotland to stages all around the world.Phil shares how his career began, the early challenges he faced, and what kept him passionate about barbering for decades. From old-school apprenticeship culture to today’s fast-evolving industry. A strong focus of the conversation is education and standards. As the founder of the Phil Jarman Academy, Phil breaks down what separates good barbers from great ones, the importance of mastering core skills, and why traditional techniques are still so important.To find out more about the National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) visit: https://www.nhbf.co.uk/home/
How do you build a successful business and develop the next generation along the way?In this episode of NHBF Presents: Sofa Talk, NHBF Vice President and business owner Jamie Mettyear joins us to talk career beginnings, business growth, apprenticeships, and the relaunch of NHBF Magazine.To find out more about the National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) visit: https://www.nhbf.co.uk/home/
In this episode of NHBF Presents: Sofa Talk, we’re joined by the amazing Lesley Wilkes, Aesthetician and Business Owner. Together, we explore the evolution of her business, professional growth, and the importance of education and recognising skilled work in the hair and beauty sector. Through Lesley’s journey and experience, we unpack what it really takes to build a sustainable career.To find out more about the National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) visit: https://www.nhbf.co.uk/home/
We're back! In this relaunch episode of the NHBF Podcast, now called NHBF Presents: Sofa Talk, we sit down with Ashleigh Hodges, President of the Fellowship for British Hairdressing, to explore her inspiring journey in the world of hairdressing. Ashleigh shares her insights on the Respect Our Sector movement, the challenges and triumphs of the industry, and why sustainability is becoming a driving force for the future of hairdressing. Whether you’re a hair professional or simply curious about the craft, this conversation highlights the passion, innovation, and leadership shaping the sector today.To find out more about the National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) visit: https://www.nhbf.co.uk/home/To find out more about the Fellowship For British Hairdressing visit: https://fellowshiphair.com/
Hi all, welcome to the final episode of NHBF Shines On for the season! To cap it all off we welcome Dija Ayodele. Dija is an award-winning aesthetician with more than 15 years’ experience in the beauty industry. She's also an author, a business owner, and a consultant who educates us about the importance of looking after our skin.Dija also champions diversity and her book, Black Skin is the definitive skincare guide for black women. She's someone who genuinely wants to help people have a better relationship with their skins.To find Dija on Instagram head to @dija_ayodeleTo find our host Brooke go to @br00ke.evans on Instagram.
Today, we’re joined by Lan Nguyen-Grealis. She's worked with major fashion titles, Glamour, Vanity Fair, Earl, Grazia and Stella. She's an author of two books on makeup and someone who is a strong advocate for turning makeup into art. She's also someone who has done it largely as a freelancer. On today’s episode we wanted to find out how she did it, and how you can make it in the beauty industry if you want to strike out on your own.If you want to find more of Lan’s work, head to @lanslondon on Instagram. To find our host Brooke go to @br00ke.evans on Instagram.
Today on the podcast we’re joined by Anne Veck. She has a three-decade long career in the industry and has been described as one of the most iconic hairdressers in the world by Hair Magazine.She's had a long journey from France to running her own sustainable salon, and we wanted to hear all about it on today's episode. We discussed why you have to be careful of ‘green-weashing’ and why becoming more environmentally conscious can help you garner more customers. If you want to hear more about how to run your own salon more sustainably, head to https://respectyou.me/salon-resource-toolkit/ and find all sorts of tips and tricks to make your salon greener. Also follow Anne on Instagram @annevecksalonsTo find our host Brooke go to @br00ke.evans on Instagram.
Today on the podcast, NHBF Shines on…Adam Reed. Adam is one of the co-founders of the award-winning salon and haircare brand Percy and Reed. But he’s done so much more than that. His work has been seen on runways in London and New York and he continues to innovate and bring new brands to the market.He’s also someone who’s been very outspoken about his struggles with addiction and his own mental health, and we wanted to give him a platform to shine a light on those issues in the industry.To find Adam on social media head to @adamreedhair on Instagram. To find our host Brooke go to @br00ke.evans on Instagram.
Welcome to another episode of NHBF Shines On… Today on the podcast we’re joined by Jessica Crane. Jessica is an award winning business coach, and someone who thrives on helping salons reach their true potential. She tells us about her journey from the salon floor to helping other salons thrive. Along the way she explains why creativity and commerce go hand-in-hand in the hair and beauty industry and why a sense of community drew her into the industry. Find Jessica at https://www.jessicacrane.co.uk/ and on Instagram @jessicacranesiss. Find our host Brooke Evans on instagram @br00ke.evans.
Our guest today is a superstar barber that has left a giant footprint in the barbering industry. Tom Chapman’s written books, appeared on the cover of Hairdressers Journal, and his Lions Barber Collective is slowly changing the conversation around men's mental health. He tells us about how he got his start in barbering, how he manages to look after his own mental health and about the one event that changed his life forever. Just a warning, today's podcast does deal with issues of suicide and depression. If those are issues that affect you, go to: https://www.samaritans.org/To read more about what the NHBF and what it could do for your business, go to https://www.nhbf.co.uk/membership/member-benefits/ Head to https://www.thelionsbarbercollective.com/founder/ to learn more about Tom’s work. Find our host Brooke Evans on instagram @br00ke.evans.
Today on the podcast, we are joined by Keeks Reid. Keeks is an award-winning journalist with more than a decade's experience covering the hair and beauty industry.She talks to us about the role of journalism in hair and beauty, her own journey with her natural Afro hair, and what the industry can do to help promote diversity. Today on the podcast, NHBF Shines On Keeks Reid.Head to https://www.keeksreid.com/ to find out more about Keeks and her work, and find her on Instagram @keeksreid. Find our host Brooke Evans on instagram @br00ke.evans.
Dom Lehane has been a hairdresser for more than 30 years and is the founder of Hair Club Live, a free online event that showcases young, creative hairdressers. He's also the host of the wildly successful How To Cut It in the Hairdressing Industry. A podcast that is amazing at bringing you behind-the-scenes interviews in the hair and beauty industry.A fourth-generation hairdresser, Dom is someone who lives and breathes hairdressing, and his podcast is a must-listen if you are trying to break into the industry.Today on the podcast, NHBF Shines On…Dom LehaneFor more info on the NHBF, head to https://www.nhbf.co.uk/membership/member-benefits/ to find out more. You can find Dom at https://howtocut.it/ and on Instragram @howtocutit. Find our host Brooke Evans on instagram @br00ke.evans.
Vivienne Johns went from owning her own business for 26 years to helping others use social media to take their business to the next level. Along the way she has an amazing story to tell that’ll inspire you to change the way you look at your business. Today on the podcast NHBF Shines on…Vivienne Johns For more info on the NHBF, head to https://www.nhbf.co.uk/membership/member-benefits/ to find out more. You can find Vivienne at https://www.facebook.com/VivienneJohnsEducation/ and check out her website: https://www.thehairdresserssocialclub.com/ Find our host Brooke Evans on instagram @br00ke.evans.
Today on the podcast, NHBF Shines On…Casey Coleman. Casey Coleman is the founder of CHAIR Salons, the first gender neutral salon in Wales. The pandemic forced him to close down his salon but he’s since then he’s gone from strength to strength. In this interview Casey tells us all about how he got started in the hairdressing industry, and he lifts the lid on the stigma surrounding mental health issues within hairdressing. For more info on the NHBF, head to https://www.nhbf.co.uk/membership/member-benefits/ to find out more. Check out Casey’s on Instagram, @caseyC_hair. Find our host Brooke Evans on instagram @br00ke.evans.
Welcome to another episode of NHBF Shines On… Today on the podcast we’re joined by Jessica Crane. Jessica is an award winning business coach, and someone who thrives on helping salons reach their true potential. She tells us about her journey from the salon floor to helping other salons thrive. Along the way she explains why creativity and commerce go hand-in-hand in the hair and beauty industry and why a sense of community drew her into the industry. Find Jessica at https://www.jessicacrane.co.uk/ and on Instagram @jessicacranesiss. Find our host Brooke Evans on instagram @br00ke.evans.
Welcome to another episode of NHBF Shines On. Today on the podcast we’re joined by Keri Blue. Keri's the founder and leader of Hair Has No Gender, an organization dedicated to getting rid of gender discrimination in the hairdressing industry. For more info on the NHBF, head to https://www.nhbf.co.uk/membership/member-benefits/ to find out more. Find Keri at @hairhasnogenderuk on Instagram, head over to Hair has no Gender on Facebook or go to their website https://hairhasnogender.co.uk/ Find our host Brooke Evans on instagram @br00ke.evans.
Today on the podcast NHBF Shines On…Tom Chapman. Our guest today is a superstar barber that has left a giant footprint in the barbering industry. Tom Chapman’s written books, appeared on the cover of Hairdressers Journal, and his Lions Barber Collective is slowly changing the conversation around men's mental health. He tells us about how he got his start in barbering, how he manages to look after his own mental health and about the one event that changed his life forever. Just a warning, today's podcast does deal with issues of suicide and depression. If those are issues that affect you, go to: https://www.samaritans.org/To read more about what the NHBF and what it could do for your business, go to https://www.nhbf.co.uk/membership/member-benefits/ Head to https://www.thelionsbarbercollective.com/founder/ to learn more about Tom’s work. Find our host Brooke Evans on instagram @br00ke.evans.
Episodes from Shine on Podcast by the NHBF is now available on general release. On the podcast we chat with award-winning hairdresser Mark Woolley. Mark is a renowned hairdresser whose work has appeared all over the world. He’s also the founder and creative director of Electric. A brand that doesn’t just focus on hair but on fashion, design, hair products and much much more. For more info on the NHBF, head to https://www.nhbf.co.uk/membership/member-benefits/ to find out more. Find Mark at @markwoolley1 and Brooke at @br00ke.evans on Instagram. and visit https://www.electric-hair.com/ to see some of his work.
Keeks is an award-winning journalist with more than a decade's experience covering the hair and beauty industry.She talks to us about the role of journalism in hair and beauty, her own journey with her natural Afro hair, and what the industry can do to help promote diversity. Today on the podcast, NHBF Shines On Keeks Reid.Head to https://www.keeksreid.com/ to find out more about Keeks and her work, and find her on Instagram @keeksreid. Find our host Brooke Evans on instagram @br00ke.evans.
A fourth-generation hairdresser, Dom is someone who lives and breathes hairdressing, and his podcast is a must-listen if you are trying to break into the industry. Here’s a little sneak peak of our conversation with Dom Lehane.You can find Dom at https://howtocut.it/ and on Instragram @howtocutit. Find our host Brooke Evans on instagram @br00ke.evans. To hear the rest of our conversation with Dom head to https://www.nhbf.co.uk/membership/member-benefits/
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