Tune in to this exciting episode of "Cutting Through the Noise" as co-hosts Stephanie Mason and Hayley Mears switch roles, with Stephanie stepping into the guest seat to unveil her groundbreaking new venture, Global Brand Connect. Dive deep into Stephanie's inspiring career journey, from being the founder of the global extension brand Showpony Extensions to becoming a renowned global industry consultant.

Stephanie's Career Journey: Explore how Stephanie built and scaled Showpony Extensions into an internationally recognized brand.

Transition to Global Consulting: Discover her pivotal role in consulting for the UK brand DENSE and how she was instrumental in propelling the Australian brand O&M to the forefront of the European market.

Career Evolution: Gain insights into Stephanie’s transition from her early start-up days to repositioning her career as a global thought leader in the beauty industry.

Relocation to Majorca: Hear about her personal and professional experiences associated with relocating to Majorca, Spain, and how this move influenced her latest entrepreneurial endeavour.

- Insights into the challenges and successes faced while building a brand from the ground up.

- Discussion on the opportunity to consult for international brands and the strategies implemented to succeed on a global scale.

- Personal anecdotes from Stephanie’s relocation to Majorca and how the change in environment has fueled her creativity and business approaches.

This episode is a treasure trove for entrepreneurs and professionals in the beauty and lifestyle industries, offering a firsthand account of building a brand, expanding into international markets, and making visionary career shifts. Stephanie's expertise and experiences are bound to inspire and provide actionable insights for aspiring business leaders.

Don’t miss out on future episodes of "Cutting Through the Noise." Subscribe on [Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast platform] to stay updated on the latest industry insights and inspiring stories.

Thank you for listening! We hope you enjoyed this episode as much as we enjoyed recording it.

https://www.instagram.com/stephaniemason/

https://linktr.ee/iamstephaniemason

Join us on this episode of Cutting Through the Noise as we sit down with Belinda Mills, the creative force behind Pipsqueek In Saigon. With 26 years in the hairdressing industry under her belt, Belinda opened her first salon at the tender age of 21. Now, 20 years later, her name is synonymous with innovation and artistry. Her success isn't confined to the salon; she’s amassed a remarkable following of 327,000 on Instagram, where her creative hair content has become a sensation. Belinda discusses how she started using Instagram around 2017 as an artistic outlet, revelling in the ability to showcase her vibrant, aesthetic hair designs. She balances the demands of running two salons and a thriving online presence by compartmentalising her week—dedicating specific days to content creation, business, and family.

Belinda takes us back to the start, recounting her beginnings at 15, when work experience introduced her to a profession that fuses elements she loved—art, photography, and drama. In founding Pipsqueek In Saigon, she broke away from traditional salon norms to create a unique and welcoming environment. Our conversation journeys through her organic business growth without sticking rigidly to a business plan, as she candidly shares insights into the realities of salon ownership. Belinda emphasises the critical role of showcasing a salon's culture online, particularly in recruiting. She also shares her future plans to streamline her focus by selling one salon location while rebranding the other.

Listeners get a glimpse into Belinda's artistic approach, where she sees hair as a canvas, drawing inspiration from nature, AI images, and other creatives. Her content creation isn’t just a side project; it’s integral to her work, with dedicated shoot days using a mix of regular clients and professional models. Belinda even offers a subscription service featuring tutorials for those wanting direct access to her expertise.

Living what she calls a ‘workhorse’ lifestyle, Belinda acknowledges the struggles of balancing professional demands with family life but prioritises quality time with her two children. Her secret to keeping it all together? Consistent sleep habits and the strategic location of her main salon, which simplifies school runs. This episode offers valuable insights into managing a burgeoning creative career while still nurturing personal passions and a family life. Tune in for an inspiring conversation with a true industry trailblazer.

https://www.instagram.com/bel_pipsqueekinsaigon/

https://www.instagram.com/pipsqueekinsaigon/

https://www.tiktok.com/@bel_pipsqueek

This episode uncovers a bunch of stuff you never knew about session stylist, educator, and all-round industry gem Paula Hibbard. Explore Paula's career and why she is now in the career sweet spot as an entrepreneur. Paula is heading to the CPR Salon forum in February where she will share the stage with her fellow educators, Tabatha, Kaine and Tom. This episode goes into how the foundations of your career are key to your future success. Paula's growth mindset and love of hair have taken her around the world and back again and she is ready kick of 2025 by sharing her knowledge with her class “It’s All About The Shoes”. From Brides, to movie stars and then to hair toppers to dancing with the stars. There is lots to learn from Paula so tune in and enjoy.

https://paulahibbard.com/

https://www.facebook.com/hairbypaulahibbard/

https://www.instagram.com/hairbypaulahibbard/

https://www.facebook.com/becrownedbykp

https://www.instagram.com/becrownedbykp