- 16
- Episodes
- Bi-weekly
- Cadence
- 2025
- First episode
About Maneframe
Maneframe is hosted by Jeff Alford, CEO of the CBON Group, and dives into the world of hair through conversations with stylists and industry leaders worldwide. From trends and techniques to business and haircare tips, each episode brings you the stories and insights shaping the hairstyling industry. Great Hair Begins with a Great Chair! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
- Publisher
- JEFF ALFORD
- Category
- arts · business
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 5 Sept 2025
- Latest episode
- 8 Sept 2026
Latest episodes
16 episodes in the feed.
8 Sept 2026
From Cabbagetown to the Commonwealth: Mike Goncalves on Rebuilding Respect in Hairdressing
What does it take to go from a Cabbagetown upbringing to building an Aveda empire in Toronto — and then reimagine an entire industry's standards from the ground up? In this episode, host Jeff sits down with Mike Goncalves, hairdresser, salon owner, and co-founder of the Commonwealth Beauty Council. Mike shares his journey from discovering hairdressing at Vidal Sassoon Academy in LA to running two Aveda concept salons for 18 years, surviving a near-fatal motorcycle accident and coma, and rebuilding both his career and his community as founder of the Yonge & St. Clair BIA. He opens up about how COVID exposed a "rock bottom" moment for the industry — home services, the salon suite boom, and a growing loss of professional respect — and how that crisis sparked the idea for the Commonwealth Beauty Council, a Michelin-inspired rating system for hairdressers built with his daughter. Tune in for a raw conversation about resilience, mentorship, and why hairdressers deserve far more recognition than they get. In this episode: Mike's roots in Toronto and his path into hairdressing via Vidal Sassoon Academy Building an Aveda empire and the realities of salon ownership A near-fatal accident, recovery, and founding the Yonge & St. Clair BIA COVID's impact on the industry and the rise of salon suites The education crisis in hairdressing The Michelin-inspired Star System and the October launch at Olympia Beauty Show, London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
16 Aug 2026
From Aerospace to Aesthetics: Building an Empire in an Unregulated Industry | Ft. Paul Langston
What does a career in aerospace and computer science have to do with running a multi-door beauty and aesthetics business? On this episode, Paul and Jeff sit down with a guest whose journey took an unexpected turn from the early days of the computer industry into one of the fastest-growing, least-regulated spaces in business today — nails, aesthetics, and salon services. They dig into how the industry is consolidating as small single-site shops get absorbed by bigger, smarter players, why the low barrier to entry is both an opportunity and a trap for entrepreneurs, and what it really means to operate with almost no regulatory oversight. The conversation also covers the mindset shift practitioners need to make to stay competitive, and why AI and new technology are set to reshape the industry all over again. Whether you're already in the beauty and wellness space or just curious how an "unglamorous" industry quietly built a 100,000-practitioner workforce, this episode is packed with insight. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
25 Jul 2026
The Future of Hairdressing: Who Survives What’s Next?
The salon industry is changing—and faster than many realize. With salon numbers declining, independent work on the rise, and the average hairdresser working fewer hours, the traditional structure of the industry is being rewritten. In this candid conversation, we explore the forces behind that transformation: the disappearance of the industry’s “middle class,” the rise of independent professionals, changing salon economics, and the growing influence of AI and technology. Will robots eventually find their way into salons? Can the middle of the industry make a comeback? And what will separate the professionals and businesses that thrive from those that struggle? Blending decades of beauty-industry experience with a deeply personal journey, this episode looks beyond the challenges to ask a bigger question: What could the next structure of the professional beauty industry look like? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
16 Jun 2026
From Stigma to Success | The Evolution of the Hair Industry Ft. Brian Ahrens
Welcome to the very first episode of the Maneframe Podcast!✨ In this episode, we sit down with Brian Ahrens, a beauty industry veteran with over 40 years of experience working alongside some of the biggest professional hair care brands across North America. From starting his journey as an entrepreneur to leading renowned brands like Goldwell, KMS, Aveda, Revlon, American Crew, CND, Joico, STMNT, Authentic Beauty Concept, and Zotos, Brian shares the lessons, challenges, and opportunities that shaped his remarkable career. We dive into the evolution of the North American hair industry, what separates thriving salons from struggling ones, and why great people, great products, and strong profitability remain the foundation of every successful beauty business. Brian also shares his perspective on the future of the salon industry, the growing role of technology, and how Maneframe is helping hairstylists, salon owners, and beauty professionals build stronger, more connected businesses. Whether you're a hairstylist, salon owner, beauty entrepreneur, educator, distributor, or industry leader, this conversation is packed with valuable insights from someone who has seen the industry evolve firsthand. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
17 Dec 2025
Running a Modern Barbershop | Brittney Bodis on Building Frontier Barbers & Company
On this episode of Hairstory, host Jeff Alford sits down with Brittney Bodis, owner of Frontier Barbers & Company in downtown St. Catharines, Ontario. Brittney shares her journey from hair school in Newmarket to salon work, a brief detour into law clerking, and ultimately finding her passion behind the barber chair. She opens up about renovating a historic downtown space, opening just before COVID, surviving months of shutdowns through creativity and grit, and what it truly takes to run a modern barbershop. This honest conversation explores leadership, hiring, work-life balance, changing industry expectations, and why barbering remains one of the most human and community-driven professions. HairStory is sponsored by Preempt & Prevention – Great Hair Begins with a Great Chair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
4 Dec 2025
Protective Styling & Purpose | The Powerful Story of Shenzy Beauty
In this episode of Hairstory, host Jeff Alford sits down with Shenzy, founder of Shenzy Beauty in Welland, Ontario, to explore her remarkable journey from the Caribbean island of St. Vincent to becoming an influential protective-styling specialist in Canada. Shenzy shares how she built her business from the corner of her living room, the growing demand for Black hair services in Niagara, and the powerful impact hairstylists have on the emotional well-being of their clients. From launching her own product line to supporting clients through deeply personal challenges, this conversation highlights the heart, resilience, and purpose that define the real professionals in the hair industry. HairStory is sponsored by Preempt & Prevention – Great Hair Begins with a Great Chair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
28 Nov 2025
30 Years Behind the Chair | The Carlo Lombardo Story
Step into the world of hair, heart, and community with this inspiring conversation between Jeff and veteran hairstylist and entrepreneur Carlo Lombardo. From growing up in a family of hairdressers to opening his first salon at just 19, Carlo shares his incredible 30-year journey in the beauty industry. He opens up about the evolution of salon culture, the struggles of staffing, rising costs, the emotional bonds with clients, and the profound impact hairstylists have on mental health and community life. Today, Carlo is expanding from salon owner to North American distributor—proving that passion, resilience, and relationships can build a lifelong legacy. HairStory is sponsored by Preempt & Prevention – Great Hair Begins with a Great Chair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
19 Nov 2025
Crafting Confidence | Cheryl Gushue’s Journey Through Beauty
Fashion-trained and Toronto-raised, Cheryl Gushue has spent a lifetime at the intersection of beauty and creativity—makeup artist, stylist, educator, and now publisher of Beauty Hub Magazine. In this Hairstory episode, Cheryl walks us through her path from early days at Fiorio and Capucci to award-winning shoots (NAHA & Contessa), televised makeovers (Cityline, Steven & Chris), and global tours styling for Goldwell Color Zoom in Vegas, Berlin, Paris, and beyond. HairStory is sponsored by Preempt & Prevention – Great Hair Begins with a Great Chair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
13 Nov 2025
Empowering Entrepreneurs | Kalleigh Sharp and the Beauty Bar One Model
In this episode of Hairstory, we sit down with Kalleigh Sharp, founder and owner of Beauty Bar One in St. Catharines, Ontario — a thriving community hub redefining what a modern salon space can be. Kalleigh shares how she turned student debt and curiosity into a multi-layered beauty business, building both a training academy with over 25 certified courses and a co-working salon model that gives independent stylists, estheticians, and creatives their own space to succeed. This episode explores how she’s helping beauty professionals across Niagara find freedom, confidence, and community — and why she believes the future of the beauty industry lies in collaboration, not competition. HairStory is sponsored by Preempt & Prevention – Great Hair Begins with a Great Chair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
5 Nov 2025
The Art of Protective Styles | Alexis Stephenson on Braids, Culture & Care
St. Catharines entrepreneur Alexis Stephenson—owner of Lexi’s Hair Boutique—shares how a teenage hobby became a purpose-driven business. Starting in high school in Brampton, Lexi taught herself through tutorials, built an Instagram portfolio, and began serving family and friends before moving to the Niagara region and opening a professional suite at Beauty Bar One. Lexi breaks down the world of protective styles—from braids and cornrows to twists, locs, faux locs, and extension work—why they matter for hair health, and how specializing in a niche can be a powerful business model. We talk confidence, community, and mental health (why great hair can lift a day), the real fears of launching without college, finding resources, and the mindset it takes to keep going. She also looks ahead to educating others and building a broader support network for her clients and creators in Niagara. HairStory is sponsored by Preempt & Prevention – Great Hair Begins with a Great Chair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
29 Oct 2025
From Apprentices to Experts | Felice Valvano on Growing Great Stylists and a Thriving Business
Felice Valvano — co-owner of Valvano Salon in St. Catharines, Ontario — shares the story of how his family-run salon has defied trends, avoided the chair-rental model, and thrived for over 25 years. In this episode, Felice reveals the systems behind the success: an in-house education program that trains every stylist in both skill and communication, monthly performance reviews that turn goals into motivation, and a transparent “scoreboard” that keeps the entire team accountable and inspired. He also talks about creating Valvano and BLOW, two hair-care lines designed with wellness and sustainability in mind — products built for professionals, clients, and the planet alike. But beyond the business, Felice’s passion is people. He reminds us that hairstyling is more than a service — it’s a career that builds confidence, connection, and community. His message to young professionals? The world of hair is one of the last great creative industries where you can build a future, touch lives, and have fun doing it. HairStory is sponsored by Preempt & Prevention – Great Hair Begins with a Great Chair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
15 Oct 2025
Rebuilding the Salon Model | Tony Valvano on Leadership, Loyalty & the Future of Hair
For more than 25 years, Tony Valvano has built more than a business—he’s built a community. As co-owner of Valvano Salon in St. Catharines, Ontario, Tony has seen the industry change dramatically, from bustling full-service salons to the rise of independent chair rentals. But through every shift, his philosophy has stayed the same: grow people first, and the business will follow. In this inspiring episode of Hairstory, Tony sits down with host Jeff Alford to talk about what it really takes to build a strong salon culture in 2025. He shares the strategies that helped him rebuild after COVID—mentorship, education, social media presence, and genuine human connection—and why he believes the future still belongs to salons built on teamwork, trust, and heart. Whether you’re a salon owner, stylist, or creative entrepreneur, Tony’s story is a reminder that the strongest brands are built on relationships—not rentals. HairStory is sponsored by Preempt & Prevention – Great Hair Begins with a Great Chair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
6 Oct 2025
Learning by Doing | Lesley Rito-Costa on Craft, Clients & Keeping the Industry Human
Lesley Rito-Costa—Manager at Teknik Salon in Kitchener, Ontario—shares a candid, inspiring path from walking in off the street as an assistant to building a 26-year career as a sought-after colorist and cutter. She talks about learning by doing (and watching) before ever touching scissors, the mentors who shaped her (Joe and Dom), a stint educating other salons, and how motherhood reframed her work–life rhythm. We dig into what’s changed behind the chair: clients arriving “TikTok-educated,” why long hair and growth serums are trending, rising concerns about thinning, and practical advice on wash frequency, scalp care, and products (from her go-to split-end serum to the “10-10” toner she swears by). Lesley reflects on COVID’s lasting impact—DIY color kits, FaceTime haircuts, and many clients embracing their natural grey—and why great stylists still function as confidence builders, counselors, and community anchors. Plus: how she protects her body, leads with empathy, and why she wants government grants back to attract the next generation into the trade. It’s a grounded, heart-first conversation about craft, clients, and the everyday moments that turn a salon into family. Sponsored by Preempt & Prevention – Great Hair Begins with a Great Chair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
4 Oct 2025
35+ Years Behind the Scissors | Domenic Romeo on The Art and Science of Hair
Domenic Romeo—co-owner of Teknik Salon in Kitchener, Ontario—joins us for a cappuccino-fuelled deep dive into life behind the chair. He shares how a teenage detour from auto mechanics led to a government-sponsored apprenticeship in the ’80s, why cutting is “pure artistry” while color is “applied chemistry,” and how services and trends evolved from perm-heavy days to today’s anything-goes styling. We get candid about TikTok myths vs. professional advice, why scalp health matters more than you think, and the extensions/keratin treatments that truly change clients’ lives (including which extension methods he trusts most). Domenic also reflects on running a modern salon, spending 75% of his time with clients, and the community that carried him through health scares and life’s biggest moments. It’s equal parts craft, business, and heart—told by someone who’s seen it all and still loves the work. Sponsored by Preempt & Prevention – Great Hair Begins with a Great Chair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
24 Sept 2025
Building a Salon Legacy | Pino Cherubino on Why Big Salons Are Disappearing
In this episode — host Jeff Alford sits down with Pino Cherubino, the owner of Pino Salon in Kitchener, Ontario, to explore his remarkable journey from a small coastal town in southern Italy to becoming one of Canada’s most respected salon owners. Pino shares how he started in hairdressing at 15, the inspiration he found working alongside precision stylists in Italy, and the leap that brought him to Canada in the 1980s. Together, Jeff and Pino dive into the evolution of the hair industry—how salon culture has shifted from large, bustling teams to smaller, boutique operations, and the challenges today’s salon owners face in finding and training stylists. Pino reflects on decades of success, the family atmosphere he’s built in his business, and the loyalty of clients who have been with him for over 40 years. He also offers candid advice for anyone considering opening a salon today and shares his vision for the future of the industry. This conversation is full of wisdom, nostalgia, and practical insight for entrepreneurs, salon professionals, and anyone curious about the intersection of passion, business, and community. Sponsored by Preempt & Prevention – Great Hair Begins with a Great Chair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
5 Sept 2025
Navigating the Hair Industry | Joe Romeo on Running a Business, Staff Loyalty & the Value of Perseverance
In our pilot episode — Join Jeff Alford as he sits down with Joe Romeo, a seasoned salon owner and hairstylist, to discuss his journey in the beauty industry. Starting in 1986, Joe shares his early days washing floors and shampooing heads, eventually moving up to hairstyling and opening his own salon in 1989. Despite facing numerous challenges, including recessions and the COVID-19 pandemic, Joe's salon grew to house 28 staff at its peak and expanded to a second location. Joe opens up about the difficulties of running a business, the importance of staff loyalty, and the value of perseverance. Discover the insights gained from decades in the industry and the current state of his salon as he navigates the ever-changing landscape of the beauty business. Sponsored by Preempt & Prevention – Great Hair Begins with a Great Chair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
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