How To Cut It in the Hairdressing Industry

The UK and Irelands No 1 podcast show for the hair and barbering industry giving the insights, inspirations and information to take your hairdressing and barbering careers to the next level.

Author: How To Cut It Media

Voted Hairbraineds Global Industry Podcast of the Year, this is the show that gives the insights, inspirations and information to take your hairdressing and barbering careers to the next level.
Be a guest on this podcast

Language: en-gb

Genres: Arts, Fashion & Beauty

Contact email: Get it

Feed URL: Get it

iTunes ID: Get it

Get all podcast data

Listen Now...

EP395: The Secret Garden’s Gender‑Neutral Salon Playbook
Monday, 20 July, 2026

In today’s episode, Dom chats with Darren Cunningham and George Waterfield, owners of Leicester’s The Secret Garden, on building a truly welcoming, LGBTQ+ inclusive salon—and why inclusion is both practical and profitable. Hear how they opened at speed, navigated Leicester’s lockdown from a family garage, and replaced “ladies/gents” with gender‑neutral, 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 DISCOVER TODAY SPONSORS KERATIN COMPLEX PRODUCTS HERE