Pricing Without Labels

Hairdressing Journeys

How They Met

Strengths In Partnership

From Idea To Salon

COVID Garage Pivot

Influencer Wins

Kate Price Event

Finding Inclusive Pricing

Gender-Neutral Pricing

Brand Impact

Hate And The Flag

Community Support Rally:

Simple Inclusion Steps

Rethinking The Menu

Awards And Brands

 Saying Yes To Growth

Dreaming Bigger

Future Goals

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 PRODUCTSHERE

In today&rsquo;s episode, Dom chats with Darren Cunningham and George Waterfield, owners of Leicester&rsquo;s <a href="https://howtocutit.com/instagram.com/thesecretgardenhair">The Secret Garden</a>, on building a truly welcoming,<a href="https://howtocutit.com/ep214-gay-and-proud-coming-out-with-justin-mackland/"> LGBTQ</a>+ inclusive salon&mdash;and why inclusion is both practical and profitable.
Hear how they opened at speed, navigated Leicester&rsquo;s<a href="https://howtocutit.com/podcast-special-our-listeners-voice-diaries-going-into-industry-lockdown/"> lockdown</a> from a family garage, and replaced &ldquo;ladies/gents&rdquo; with <a href="https://howtocutit.com/ep064-tuttii-fruittii-london-why-two-clown-hair-sculptors-are-challenging-the-norm/">gender‑neutra</a>l, 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&rsquo;Or&eacute;al. If you want culture, pricing, and marketing strategies that actually move the needle, this one&rsquo;s for you. Hit Play!
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
CHAPTERS
<ul>
<li><a>2:36:</a> Pricing Without Labels</li>
<li><a>5:02:</a> Hairdressing Journeys</li>
<li><a>8:03:</a> How They Met</li>
<li><a>9:13:</a> Strengths In Partnership</li>
<li><a>13:01:</a> From Idea To Salon</li>
<li><a>15:00:</a> COVID Garage Pivot</li>
<li><a>17:46:</a> Influencer Wins</li>
<li><a>20:26:</a> Kate Price Event</li>
<li><a>22:57:</a> Finding Inclusive Pricing</li>
<li><a>24:56:</a> Gender-Neutral Pricing</li>
<li><a>28:02:</a> Brand Impact</li>
<li><a>29:16:</a> Hate And The Flag</li>
<li><a>30:53:</a> Community Support Rally:</li>
<li><a>32:50:</a> Simple Inclusion Steps</li>
<li><a>34:07:</a> Rethinking The Menu</li>
<li><a>36:13:</a> Awards And Brands</li>
<li><a>38:35:</a> Saying Yes To Growth</li>
<li><a>39:41:</a> Dreaming Bigger</li>
<li><a>43:36:</a> Future Goals</li>
</ul>
<hr>
EPISODE RESOURCES
<ul>
<li>Connect with The Secret Garden on Instagram <a href="https://instagram.com/thesecretgardenhair">@thesecretgardenhair</a></li>
<li>DISCOVER TODAY SPONSORS KERATIN COMPLEX PRODUCTS <a href="https://keratincomplex.co.uk/">HERE</a></li>
</ul>

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.

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