EP395: The Secret Garden’s Gender‑Neutral Salon Playbook

EP395: The Secret Garden’s Gender‑Neutral Salon Playbook

In today’s episode, Dom chats with Darren Cunningham and George Waterfield, owners of Leicester’s The Secret Garden [https://howtocutit.com/instagram.com/thesecretgardenhair], on building a truly welcoming, LGBTQ+ [https://howtocutit.com/ep214-gay-and-proud-coming-out-with-justin-mackland/] inclusive salon—and why inclusion is both practical and profitable. Hear how they opened at speed, navigated Leicester’s lockdown [https://howtocutit.com/podcast-special-our-listeners-voice-diaries-going-into-industry-lockdown/] from a family garage, and replaced “ladies/gents” with gender‑neutral [https://howtocutit.com/ep064-tuttii-fruittii-london-why-two-clown-hair-sculptors-are-challenging-the-norm/], 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 [https://instagram.com/thesecretgardenhair] * DISCOVER TODAY SPONSORS KERATIN COMPLEX PRODUCTS HERE [https://keratincomplex.co.uk/]

EP394: Hair Colour Ingredient Truths with Wella’s Ursus Schweitzer

Are scary ingredient headlines warping your colour decisions? In this episode brought to you by Wella Professionals UKI [https://wella.com/], we’re joined by Ursus Schweitzer—an R&D connector who bridges the lab and the salon floor. He observes how products [https://howtocutit.com/inside-wellas-rd/]are really used, then translates complex chemistry [https://howtocutit.com/inside-wellas-rd/] 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 [https://education.wella.com/] * VISIT WELLA STORE HERE [https://www.wella.com/professional/en-GB] * CONNECT WITH WELLA PROFESSIONALS UKI ON INSTAGRAM @WELLAPROFESSIONALSUKI [https://instagram.com/wellaprofessionalsuki]

EP394: Hair Colour Ingredient Truths with Wella’s Ursus Schweitzer

Are scary ingredient headlines warping your colour decisions? In this episode brought to you by Wella Professionals UKI [https://wella.com/], we’re joined by Ursus Schweitzer—an R&D connector who bridges the lab and the salon floor. He observes how products [https://howtocutit.com/inside-wellas-rd/]are really used, then translates complex chemistry [https://howtocutit.com/inside-wellas-rd/] 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 [https://education.wella.com/] * VISIT WELLA STORE HERE [https://www.wella.com/professional/en-GB] * CONNECT WITH WELLA PROFESSIONALS UKI ON INSTAGRAM @WELLAPROFESSIONALSUKI [https://instagram.com/wellaprofessionalsuki]

EP394: Hair Colour Ingredient Truths with Wella’s Ursus Schweitzer

Are scary ingredient headlines warping your colour decisions? In this episode brought to you by Wella Professionals UKI [https://wella.com/], we’re joined by Ursus Schweitzer—an R&D connector who bridges the lab and the salon floor. He observes how products [https://howtocutit.com/inside-wellas-rd/]are really used, then translates complex chemistry [https://howtocutit.com/inside-wellas-rd/] 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 [https://education.wella.com/] * VISIT WELLA STORE HERE [https://www.wella.com/professional/en-GB] * CONNECT WITH WELLA PROFESSIONALS UKI ON INSTAGRAM @WELLAPROFESSIONALSUKI [https://instagram.com/wellaprofessionalsuki]

EP394: Hair Colour Ingredient Truths with Ursus Schweitzer

Are scary ingredient headlines warping your colour decisions? In this episode brought to you by Wella Professionals UKI [https://wella.com/], we’re joined by Ursus Schweitzer—an R&D Product Developer who bridges the lab and the salon floor. He observes how products [https://howtocutit.com/inside-wellas-rd/] are really used, then translates complex chemistry [https://howtocutit.com/inside-wellas-rd/] 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 alkalisers) 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 [https://education.wella.com/] * VISIT WELLA STORE HERE [https://www.wella.com/professional/en-GB] * CONNECT WITH WELLA PROFESSIONALS UKI ON INSTAGRAM @WELLAPROFESSIONALSUKI [https://instagram.com/wellaprofessionalsuki]