Ask The Color Expert

Are you feeling stuck in routines—or ready to explore your full stylistic potential?
 In this honest, insightful episode, Elaine chats with award-winning stylist Vivienne Mackinder about the archetypes that shape every artist’s journey—from Puppet to Perfectionist to Artist to Pedestal.

What you'll learn:

• The four (plus one) archetypes that inform how you show up—and how to balance them.
• Why technical excellence doesn’t a...

Are you stuck in a rut—or ready to reclaim your edge?

 In this heartfelt episode, Elaine reframes the dreaded “7‑year itch” as a powerful signal for growth—not failure.

What you'll learn:
 – Why that nagging feeling at work, friendships, or life is often a gift

 – How shift‑points—whether relationships, careers, or routines—hit in predictable cycles

 – Why emotional pain can be your internal GPS calling you forw...

What happens when your salon’s MVP says “no thanks” to taking over?

 In this raw, revealing conversation, Elaine sits down with Donna Ryan—her former right hand turned successful salon owner—for a full-circle look at leadership, legacy, and letting go.

What you'll learn:

 ✨ Why saying “no” isn’t the end—it can be the beginning
 💡 What stylists don’t understand about discounts, commissions, and referrals
 👀 The surp...

Are you carrying the emotional weight of your business alone?

In this raw and revealing episode, Elaine opens up about the heartbreak of closing her salon after 36 years—and the communication breakdowns that made it inevitable. She’s joined by Tina Power, LMFT, a licensed therapist and communication coach who helps hairstylists navigate the emotional side of their work with more clarity, confidence, and care.

🎹 What you'll lear...

Are you leveling up—or stuck in what’s “always worked”?

 In this candid episode, Elaine shares a painful lesson from Pilates class (involving springs, ego, and a bruised finger)—and how it perfectly parallels the mindset traps many stylists fall into behind the chair.

🎙️ What you’ll learn:

 ✨ Why staying in your comfort zone can quietly kill your career

 💡 What a $10 glaze says about your pricing mindset

 👀 How fear of...

Are your clients chasing roots—or ready to embrace the blend?
In this honest, no-fluff episode, Elaine shares her own journey into gray blending—and what every stylist needs to know.

🎙️ What you’ll learn:
✨ Why gray blending isn’t “giving up”—it’s leveling up
💡 How to avoid over-foiling fine hair (even on yourself!)
👀 Why clients love dimensional silver—even when we don't
🎯 What most stylists get wr...

Are you building a career—or just winging it and hoping for the best?

In this powerful, no-BS episode of the Ask the Color Expert Podcast, Elaine Travis shares 20 hard-earned lessons from nearly 40 years in the beauty industry that every stylist needs to hear—whether you're just getting started or stuck in burnout.

From the myth of beauty school to why giving free haircuts is killing your income, Elaine breaks down the mindset t...

Sick of juggling shelves full of demi and permanent color? In this episode, Elaine Travis welcomes Gary Cole back to the mic for a deep dive into salon inventory chaos—and how a few drops of the right additive can change everything.

Introducing Color Tricks, a stylist-created solution that transforms any permanent color into a gentle, acidic demi using your existing formulas and 10-volume developer. No new inventory, no complicated ...

Are you really stuck—or just stuck in your own story? In this bold and truth-packed episode of the Ask the Color Expert Podcast, Elaine Travis challenges stylists to take a hard look in the mirror and ask: What’s really holding me back behind the chair?

Drawing from nearly four decades of salon ownership and coaching, Elaine unpacks the real reasons some stylists struggle to build a loyal clientele—hint: it's not just about get...

Is your pricing model helping your salon thrive—or quietly draining your profits? In this eye-opening episode of the Ask the Color Expert Podcast, Elaine Travis exposes the top 5 habits that are keeping colorists from reaching their full earning potential behind the chair.

From outdated menu language to giving away blowouts, Elaine gets real about the hidden ways stylists lose income—without even realizing it. Whether you're an...

Are your go-to hair hacks helping your clients—or secretly sabotaging your results? In this no-holds-barred episode of the Ask the Color Expert Podcast, Elaine Travis breaks down the good, the bad, and the downright ugly habits showing up behind the chair.

From overused techniques to missed summer opportunities, Elaine shares the truth about what’s elevating your client experience—and what might be costing you time, money, and loyal...

Are root touch-ups keeping your color business stuck in the past? In this Ask the Color Expert episode, Elaine Travis unveils her #1 secret to standing out as a colorist—and it’s not just about covering gray. Discover why formulas aren’t one-size-fits-all, and how custom, dimensional color can elevate your work, raise your prices, and build fierce client loyalty.

Elaine dives deep into the outdated habits that hold stylists back—lik...

In this episode, Elaine sits down with Tracey Napotnik, the founder of the Pennsylvania Beauty Show, to talk about the exciting return of in-person education for beauty professionals. Tracey shares her vision for the event, the inspiration behind launching it, and why now is the perfect time for stylists and salon owners to reconnect, learn, and grow together. Whether you're looking for fresh techniques, powerful networking, o...

Are formulas meant to be shared, or should they stay top secret? In this Ask the Color Expert Podcast episode, we break down the real value of a formula, why true color confidence goes beyond recipes, and how mastering formulation can set you apart behind the chair. Tune in and decide—are you Team Share or Team Keep It Secret?

Want to keep up to date with all things hair color? Join the community here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.expert...

In this latest episode of Ask the Color Expert Podcast, Michael Colr shares his journey of navigating grief. 

Michael Cole is a salon business expert and industry leader. He is also the  board member and shareholder at Summit Salon Business Center, and has over 30 years of experience as a stylist, salon owner, and educator. As founder of Salon Development Corporation, he has helped thousands of salon professionals grow their bu...

Clients are signing up for hair color classes… not to become stylists, but to educate themselves about what we should already know. What’s going wrong in our industry?!

In this eye-opening episode of Ask the Color Expert Podcast, we break down why this is happening and what YOU can do to stay ahead.

Want to keep up to date with all things hair color? Join the community here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.expertcolorsolutions.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or @exp...

In this episode of Ask The Color Expert, I am having a Christmas Coffee Chat with Gary Call about all things hair and beauty industry.

Gary Call is the Head Coach of KIN North America and a lifelong hairstylist with a passion for elevating the beauty industry. With decades of experience behind the chair and in leadership roles, Gary is dedicated to inspiring and mentoring professionals to achieve their fullest potential. Known ...

In this episode of Ask The Color Expert, I talk with Shanna Moll about Studio YOU, a company dedicated to helping beauty professionals grow with integrity and compassion. Through education and coaching, they empower stylists to offer transformative hair loss solutions, providing hope to clients and rewarding experiences for stylists.

Shanna Moll is a trailblazer with over 37 years of experience in the beauty industry, including...

In this episode of Ask The Color Expert, Jack Travis and I discuss the importance of paid ads, automation, and branding for your salon.

Jack is the creative force behind My Salon Concierge, dedicated to crafting visual narratives that resonate. With an Entrepreneurship degree from the University of Tampa, Jack brings a fresh perspective to the salon industry, blending business savvy with a passion for creativity. His background...