The Dressing Gown CEO | How to Talk So Clients Listen
Emily Ciardiello on The Dressing Gown CEO
What if the secret to a thriving salon business wasn't your technique, your pricing, or even your Instagram feed, but the way you communicate?
Our CEO Emily Ciardiello sat down with online public speaking coach Tom Hendrick in the latest episode of The Dressing Gown CEO podcast, and this one is a must-listen for every hairdresser, salon owner, and anyone who has ever had to navigate a tricky client conversation behind the chair.
The conversations that make or break a salon
Tom Hendrick isn't your average communication coach. He understands something that most people in business overlook: communication isn't just about the words you say. It's about what you make the other person feel, do, and remember. And in the hair industry, where trust is built one appointment at a time, that distinction matters enormously.
Emily and Tom get into the real stuff - the conversations that hairdressers dread, avoid, or fumble through on a daily basis. Not the theory of it. The actual, practical, what-do-I-say-in-this-moment of it.
What you'll learn in this episode
"Just a trim." "Natural blonde." Sound familiar? Tom shares how to unpack what a client actually means without launching into a 20-minute interrogation that kills the vibe before you've even picked up the scissors.
Every stylist has been there. The client who goes quiet, or worse, starts scrolling through photos midway through. This episode gives you the language to handle that moment with grace and confidence.
Raising your prices is nerve-wracking, but the way you communicate it is everything. Tom walks through how to frame the conversation so clients feel respected, not blindsided.
Spoiler: yes, it is. And yes, there's a way to do it that doesn't leave you sweating about a Google review for the next six months.
Tom makes the case that hairdressers have access to a kind of connection and trust with their clients that almost no other profession in the world can claim. It reframes the whole job in a way that's genuinely uplifting.
They also play a card game live on air
Tom brought his card game Mic Check to the episode and they actually played it during the recording. It's as fun and revealing as it sounds. A little nerdy, a lot entertaining, and somehow packed with practical insight.
A conversation the hair industry actually needs
The Dressing Gown CEO is Emily's space for honest, unfiltered conversations about what it really takes to build something in the beauty industry. She's the CEO, Creative Director, and Co-Founder of Foil Me - a multi-million dollar global hair brand that started in a back shed in Adelaide. When she talks about navigating tough business moments, she's speaking from experience.
This episode with Tom is one of those rare listens that's both immediately practical and genuinely inspiring. Whether you're a senior stylist, a salon owner, or just starting out, the tools in this episode are ones you'll use tomorrow.
Tune in now and hear the conversations your clients wish you were having
Leave a comment