The Journey of Self-Belief

Transitioning from Hairdresser to Salon Owner

The Hard Lessons of Business

The Shift to Education

Financial Insights and Stability

 Balancing Family and Career Dreams

Welcome to Part 1 of a two-part series where I’m joined by Alex Walker—a Torquay-based haircutting specialist, educator and the founder of AW Hair and Alex Walker Education. We recorded this episode inside Alex’s purpose-built education studio in Torquay, Devon (UK)—a dedicated space away from the salon where hairdressers can learn through in-person sessions, small groups, and online education, while staying connected to real, commercial salon work.

Alex’s journey began at 17, when he fell into hairdressing almost by accident. What started as a job became a craft. He went all-in on haircutting—especially short hair—with a mission to raise standards and help hairdressers understand the why behind what they do.

We dig into the realities of ambition, rapid growth, and salon ownership—and the moment everything changed. After his businesses went into liquidation, Alex was left asking: “I haven’t got five days’ worth of clients… what am I gonna do now?”

This is a powerful conversation on resilience, rebuilding, and staying commercially relevant.

Chapters:
11:11: The Journey of Self-Belief
21:27: Transitioning from Hairdresser to Salon Owner
22:54: The Hard Lessons of Business
27:55: The Shift to Education
32:34: Financial Insights and Stability
38:30: Balancing Family and Career Dreams

Resources from todays episode:
Join the waitlist for SpotdHERE
Follow Spotd on Instagram@getspotdapp
Alex Walker Salon CLICK HERE 
Connect with Alex on Instagram@alexwalkereducation
Alex Walker online haircutting educationHERE
For everything else Alex WalkerCLICK HERE
View our video podcast with Alex Walker on YouTube@howtocutit
Connect with How To Cut It on Instagram@howtocutit

 

Welcome to Part 1 of a two-part series where I&rsquo;m joined by Alex Walker&mdash;a Torquay-based haircutting specialist, educator and the founder of AW Hair and Alex Walker Education. We recorded this episode inside Alex&rsquo;s purpose-built education studio in Torquay, Devon (UK)&mdash;a dedicated space away from the salon where hairdressers can learn through in-person sessions, small groups, and online education, while staying connected to real, commercial salon work.
Alex&rsquo;s journey began at 17, when he fell into hairdressing almost by accident. What started as a job became a craft. He went all-in on haircutting&mdash;especially short hair&mdash;with a mission to raise standards and help hairdressers understand the why behind what they do.
We dig into the realities of ambition, rapid growth, and salon ownership&mdash;and the moment everything changed. After his businesses went into liquidation, Alex was left asking: &ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t got five days&rsquo; worth of clients&hellip; what am I gonna do now?&rdquo;
This is a powerful conversation on resilience, rebuilding, and staying commercially relevant.
<hr>
Chapters:
<ul>
<li><a>11:11: </a>The Journey of Self-Belief</li>
<li><a>21:27: </a>Transitioning from Hairdresser to Salon Owner</li>
<li><a>22:54: </a>The Hard Lessons of Business</li>
<li><a>27:55: </a>The Shift to Education</li>
<li><a>32:34: </a>Financial Insights and Stability</li>
<li><a>38:30: </a>Balancing Family and Career Dreams</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Resources from todays episode:
<ul>
<li>Join the waitlist for Spotd <a href="https://getspotdapp.com/">HERE</a></li>
<li>Follow Spotd on Instagram <a href="https://instagram.com/getspotdapp">@getspotdapp</a></li>
<li>Alex Walker Salon <a href="https://alexwalkerhair.co.uk/">CLICK HERE&nbsp;</a></li>
<li>Connect with Alex on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/alexwalkereducation">@alexwalkereducation</a></li>
<li>Alex Walker online haircutting education <a href="https://stan.store/alexwalkerhaircutting">HERE</a></li>
<li>For everything else Alex Walker <a href="https://linktr.ee/alexwalkerhair">CLICK HERE</a></li>
<li>View our video podcast with Alex Walker on YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@howtocutit">@howtocutit</a></li>
<li>Connect with How To Cut It on Instagram <a href="https://instagram.com/howtocutit">@howtocutit</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

The ultimate resource and training guide for the hair industry, this is your one-stop shop for all things related to a successful career in hairdressing and barbering. 

Show host, Dom Lehane, interviews special guests from across the hair, fashion, beauty and creative occupations, educating you with their insights, inspirations and information to take your hairdressing and barbering careers to the next level. Whether you're considering a career in the hair industry, a trainee hairdresser, highly skilled hairstylist, ambitious barber or a salon owner there is something definitely here for you in this Podcast.

The ultimate resource and training guide for the hair industry, this is your one-stop shop for all things related to a successful career in hairdressing and barbering. 
Show host, Dom Lehane, interviews special guests from across the hair, fashion, beauty and creative occupations, educating you with their insights, inspirations and information to take your hairdressing and barbering careers to the next level. Whether you're considering a career in the hair industry, a trainee hairdresser, highly skilled hairstylist, ambitious barber or a salon owner there is something definitely here for you in this Podcast.

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.