HairStory

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.