Destroy The Hairdresser

What happens when you stop trying to build the salon you think you're supposed to own and build the one you actually want?In this episode, David sits down with Destroy the Hairdresser student and Capybara Hair Lounge owner Katya Yoshida to talk about her journey from nearly leaving the industry altogether to building one of the most unapologetically unique salons we've seen.Katya shares how discovering DTH challenged everything she thought she knew about pricing, salon ownership and what a "professional" salon was supposed to look like. They get into hourly pricing, gratuity-free culture, station sharing, hiring, commission in California and how she's built an eight-chair salon with a team that continues to grow.But this episode is really about what happens when you stop watering down the weird idea.Katya built a salon named after a giant rodent, filled it with creatives, anime lovers, gamers and self-proclaimed weirdos, and created a business that finally feels like her. Two years in, both she and her husband are able to take paychecks from the business, she was able to leave the country with her family for two weeks without the salon falling apart, and she's still focused on building something even bigger.If you've been sitting on an idea because you're worried people won't get it, this episode might be your permission slip to do it anyway.Want support building a salon that actually works for your life instead of copying the same tired industry playbook?Join us inside the Hairdresser Business Club. You'll get weekly business and social media education, coaching, community and access to the DTH methods salon owners and hairdressers are using to build businesses differently.Join the Hairdresser Business Club and get your first two weeks free.

Every time you open Instagram, you're being sold a new way to run your business. A new pricing model. A new marketing strategy. A new "must-have" service. It's no wonder so many salon owners feel stuck, overwhelmed, and constantly questioning themselves.In this episode, David dives into the growing confidence crisis facing hairdressers and salon owners and explores how endless content consumption can quietly fuel doubt instead of growth. He shares why community has become more important than ever, how to know when social media is helping versus hurting you, and why building a business requires trusting your own decisions—not chasing every trend that shows up in your feed.If you've been feeling uncertain, burnt out, or like everyone else has the answers except you, this conversation is a reminder that confidence isn't built through more scrolling—it's built through connection, support, and taking consistent action alongside people who are growing with you.Want community? Join the Hairdresser Business Club and get your first two weeks free.

In this episode, David sits down with former Destroy The Hairdresser student Elma Siljkovic, owner of Queen of Swords in Brooklyn, to share one of the most powerful stories we've ever featured on the podcast.After building a salon around systems, trust, and sustainability instead of hustle, Elma was faced with an unimaginable challenge: a cancer diagnosis. Because her business wasn't built to depend entirely on her, she was able to step away, focus on treatment, and give herself the space to heal without watching everything she had worked for fall apart.This conversation isn't just about salon ownership. It's about building a business that supports your life during the best moments—and the hardest ones. Elma shares how rethinking the traditional salon model gave her the freedom to prioritize her health, trust her team, and return stronger than ever.Whether you're behind the chair every day or leading a growing team, this episode is a reminder that the most successful businesses aren't the ones that demand everything from you—they're the ones that give something back when you need it most.