Your Day Off @Hairdustry; A Podcast about the Hair Industry!

Universe Walker: Beauty Desk AI and the AI Receptionist Built for the Beauty IndustryShe took a coding class at Princeton, built a prototype, and created the first AI receptionist designed specifically for salons by someone who actually runs one.Corey sits down with Universe Walker (@universewalkerismyname), Bay Area hairstylist, owner of Knuckleheads and Harlots in Oakland and Scarlet Salon in Berkeley, and founder of Beauty Desk AI. The conversation covers how she built Eve, what Eve actually does, and what the future of AI in the beauty industry looks like.Why She Built ItAfter COVID, Universe was running two salons bicoastal without front desk. New clients were calling and she was missing them. She knew she was leaving money on the table every day. When AI voice technology started to emerge she saw exactly what the industry needed. She took a coding class at Princeton, built a crude chatbot prototype, and knew she was onto something. It took years to build it properly but Beauty Desk AI is now out of beta with real customers and real results.What Eve DoesEve is an AI receptionist that answers incoming voice calls and texts from clients. Clients call your salon number like they always would. Eve answers, handles the full conversation, checks availability, describes services and pricing by stylist, books the appointment, sends a confirmation text, and manages the cancellation policy. Everything lives in one dashboard where you can see every interaction, turn Eve off and take over yourself, and track revenue in real time. Eve also works alongside existing front desk, stepping in after hours, on snow days, or when reception is busy with someone in the salon.Eve vs. Eve PlusEve handles all incoming voice and text communication without integrating into a booking platform. Eve Plus connects directly with Square for real-time availability and booking. More booking platform integrations are in progress. Head to beautydeskai.com to find out which option fits your business.The Live DemoCorey called Eve live on the podcast. Eve picked up on the first ring, walked him through service options for Scarlet Salon, described Ryan and Sierra's specialties, confirmed a Friday four PM appointment with Sierra, and texted a booking link before the call ended. It is in the episode. Worth listening to.Built for EveryoneEve works for solo suite owners, small salons, large salons, barbershops, and spas. Multi-location operators are on the roadmap. Universe built the architecture to use fewer AI tokens than most competitors, which keeps costs down and reduces environmental impact.Find Beauty Desk AI at beautydeskai.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautydeskai🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beautydeskaiFollow Universe personally at @universewalkerismyname on Instagram and TikTok.🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2lLnEgr3UFY7lFDixapkrZ?si=36231da1a5264815🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-day-off-hairdustry-a-podcast-about-the-hair-industry/id1327156219📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hairdustry▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hairdustry

Corey Gray and co-host Geno Chapman (@genochapman) sit down in Ibiza with Depot Male Tools Global Ambassadors — Luca Malnati (@luca.malnati), Dario J Braun (@dariobarbers.nl), and Tom Hoffman (@diligents_tom @diligentssalons) — for a raw, funny, and inspiring conversation about creativity, connection, and community in the barber world.Recorded live at Hairtopia, powered by BeautyNova, this episode captures the unique energy of an event that feels more like a beach festival than a hair show. The group dives into how freedom fuels artistry, what it means to collaborate without ego, and how barbers can protect their mental space while building meaningful careers.You’ll hear:• How the Depot team turned a stage show into a full-on Ibiza vibe• The art of street casting real people for authentic work• Why teamwork and honest feedback create better shows• How to reset after high-energy events without burning out• The practice of asking for opportunities — not waiting for them• Why what you consume shapes your next five yearsThe conversation moves easily from humor to honesty — from travel chaos and music inspiration to deep talk on leadership, self-awareness, and gratitude for the craft. It’s barbers being human, and that’s exactly what makes it resonate.🎧 Your Day Off PodcastSeason 8 Episode 42 – Depot Male Tools Global Ambassadors-Luca Malnati, Dario J Braun, Tom Hoffman Available on all podcast platforms

Show Notes (listener benefits first):What if your career wasn’t just about cutting hair, but about shaping culture? In this conversation with Tatum Neill, we talk about what happens when hairdressers stop competing and start connecting. From the inspiration behind Elevate and the soulful depth of Serious Business, to how music, artistry, and community collide… you’ll hear why these events matter and how they can reignite your passion for the craft.Tatum’s story goes beyond hair. From sneaking into raves in New Orleans to building one of the most respected platforms in our industry, he shows how following creativity leads to impact. If you’ve ever felt stuck behind the chair or wondered how to find your spark again, this episode is your reminder: you already hold the power to inspire change.🎧 Complete Podcast Video available on your @spotify App @spotifypodcastsYour Day Off Podcast is on all platforms – Season 8, Episode 40 – with @tatumneill @elevatehair @seriousbusinessconf

Why this is the future of salon success without burnoutJennifer Jade AlvarezSalon Owner | Speaker | Tech Advocate | Host of the Beauty Business Game Changer PodcastInstagram: @jenniferjadealvarezCo-Host: Gabby Bach @gabbymarieeditsHow Jen fully stepped away from behind the chair… and scaled instead of burned outWhy most salon owners are leaking money (and how to fix it)The mindset shift that helped her finally trust her team and stop doing everything herselfHow to implement AI, automations, and virtual assistants—even if you’re not “techy”Why Zenoti became her 10th (and final) salon softwareHow she runs two companies (salon + bridal) with different business modelsThe real reason delegating doesn’t work (unless you fix this one thing)Transitioning out of burnout and into ownershipCreating systems your team will actually useBuilding AI-driven guest experience and receptionist workflowsSmart onboarding and SOPs with ChatGPT and Prompt CowboyLetting go of perfection and embracing the 80% ruleHow AI saved her time and improved her mental healthTake Jen’s Free Quiz:👉 Find the profit leaks in your salonAvailable on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.📱 Search: “Your Day Off Podcast – S8E38”👥 Guests:🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:🧠 Key Topics:📌 Bonus for Listeners:🎧 Listen Now:

Why This Beauty App Knows What You Need Before You DoIn this episode of Your Day Off, Corey Gray and Gabby Bach sit down with Charity Hudnall, CMO of Vagaro, to unpack the features that are making Vagaro a true ally to beauty professionals.Key takeaways:Why the textured hair badge is a game-changer for clients and stylistsWhat Vagaro is doing behind the scenes with AI (and how it's already helping your biz)Charity’s personal stories and why inclusivity isn’t a trend—it's a responsibilityReal talk on the future of trades, tech, and the industry’s human-first soulThe scoop on Iconic 25 in Napa Valley: education, wine, and industry changemakersWhether you’re running a solo suite or scaling multiple locations, this convo offers real value for how to grow your salon with purpose, tech, and heart.🎧 Available on all podcast platforms.📓 SHOW NOTES (Season 8, Episode 36):