Alex Yarber

Alex Yarber

Done. Here's what I pulled together: 6 viral clips (extracted to a new folder: Alex Yarber Eight - Viral Clips on your Desktop): 1. 01_possum_candy_taste_test.mp4 — the possum vs. fried chicken candy taste test ("cheers, bitch") 2. 02_illegal_marketing_hack.mp4 — Alex's Tinder-portfolio hustle (got banned for life) + the Facebook-stalking-rich-clients trick 3. 03_hair_rap_parody.mp4 — Alex's spontaneous hair-industry rap 4. 04_coming_out_story.mp4 — growing up gay in a conservative Southern Baptist family 5. 05_pay_to_play_fashion_week.mp4 — the "it's not what you think" NYFW/pay-to-play reveal 6. 06_final_nugget_of_gold.mp4 — closing career-advice soundbite Spotify caption (saved to spotify_caption.md [https://claude.ai/private/tmp/claude-501/-Users-dominiquephillips-claude-code/30ef5747-1558-4cfd-a4dc-86fd100f2950/scratchpad/alexyarber/spotify_caption.md]): Episode 8 is officially LIVE and babes... this one might be my favorite conversation yet. 🤍 I sat down with Alex Yarber (one of Elevate's educators, straight out of Tuscaloosa, Alabama) in a hot tub of all places, and we got into EVERYTHING. We talked about: ✨ running a salon when you're never actually home ✨ what happens when the internet turns on you, and how to not let it wreck you ✨ buying back your time (hiring help is not the flex people think it is, it's survival) ✨ the WILD scrappy things Alex did to book clients before he made it... including a Tinder profile that got him banned for life 😂 ✨ why it's not enough to just be good at hair anymore ✨ doing makeup for Megan Thee Stallion's swim line and what New York Fashion Week is actually like backstage ✨ Alex's coming out story, growing up gay in a small conservative town in Alabama ✨ and yes... we taste tested possum flavored candy live on the episode. Don't ask. Just listen. 🙃 Alex is about to start teaching mesh integration classes with me at Elevate this year and honey, I cannot wait to show y'all what we're building. This one is funny, it's real, and it might make you tear up a little too. Go give it a listen and tell me your favorite part 👇 FInd Alex Yarber on Instagram: @alexyarberr

Eight - Derek Cash

Okay, this one is WILD… we filmed it on an airboat in the middle of the Everglades, alligators and all, and I sat down with the one and only Derek Cash. Derek's been doing hair for almost 20 years, and he just spent THREE years building his own extension line, Pretty Gang Official. We're talkin flying all over the world chasing quality hair, getting it wrong, starting over, and finally creating something that actually blends the way extensions are supposed to. We got into all of it…✨ Why "natural" beats thick + blunt every single time✨ Mesh integration + toppers for women with hair loss (so slept on, it still amazes me)✨ How to stay inspired so you never burn out✨ Money is a frequency… and why your energy sells before you ever do And then Derek dropped THE story. The client who didn't pay for her extensions… and how it ended in felony charges, handcuffs, and a text asking for another appointment 💀 You have to hear it to believe it. Whether you're a stylist building your thing or you just love a good story, honey this one's a ride. Go follow Derek + check out his line 👇📲 Instagram: @derekcashstyles💕 Pretty Gang Official: @prettygangofficial🌐 https://prettygang.shop/

Cassandra DeRossa

Success in the hair industry isn't always pretty. In this episode of The Eight Podcast, I sit down with Cassandra De Rossa for a real, unfiltered conversation about business, salon drama, navigating challenges, and what it actually takes to keep moving forward when things get hard. We talk about the lessons that come from setbacks, the realities of building a career behind the chair, and why resilience is often the difference between those who make it and those who don't. If you've ever felt discouraged, questioned your path, or wondered if the hard work is worth it, this conversation is for you. Go find Cassandra on Instagram: @cassderossa @whiteopalhairco @whiteopalwedding Find me: @kellymaxwellhair @kellymaxwellhairextensions

Melanie Hasson

Okay…this conversation with Melanie Hasson was SO good. 🤍 We sat down and talked all about social media, business growth, building a salon, and what really happens behind the scenes when your platform starts growing fast. And when I say fast…I mean FAST. Melanie went from only a few thousand followers to over 200K followers in just months. 👏🏼 But honestly? What I love most is that she didn’t just build followers…she built a real business behind it. A successful salon. A strong brand. A loyal community. And she shares so much wisdom in this episode. We talked about what actually works on social media right now, how to stand out online, the pressure that can come with growth, and what it really takes to keep showing up consistently. This episode is packed with so much value, especially if you’re a stylist or business owner trying to grow online right now. Go give her a follow at @melaniemhasson and check out her website here: https://www.melaniemhasson.com/

Junee B Radford

Okay… can we talk about this episode for a second? I sat down with Juney Radford, and I’m telling you right now, this conversation is different. Like yes… we talk about hair, but not in the way you think. Because what she does? It’s not just installs. It’s not just “before and after.” It’s women sitting in her chair who don’t feel like themselves anymore…and her helping them get that back. And if you’re in this industry, you know how big that is. We got into the emotional side of hair loss…the stuff clients don’t always say out loud…and what it actually takes to show up for them at that level. And I loved this part because Juney doesn’t just “do hair.” She sees the person first. That’s the difference. So if you’re a stylist and you want to go deeper with your clients…or you’ve ever had someone sit in your chair and you just knew there was more going on… You need to listen to this. It’ll shift how you think about what we do. Go listen and tell me what hit you 🤍 And go follow her → @iamjuneybee