Host Hayley Mears welcomes Olivia Thompson, also known as OMG! Artistry, who joins the podcast from Fort Lauderdale ahead of their first trip to Australia for Hair Festival. The discussion covers Olivia's extensive career, their commitment to education, the development of their viral social media strategy, and a preview of the blonding and colour techniques they will be teaching.

Key Takeaways & Discussion Points

• Career and Education Philosophy: OMG! Artistry transitioned from videography to cosmetology. A struggle to receive a cosmetology grant in 2008 led to their "why"—a lifelong commitment to teaching and a vow never to "gatekeep" industry knowledge.
• Integrating Skills for Social Media: They integrated their videography skills, such as storytelling and storyboarding, into hair content about two years into their career, recognising the need to show the before, process, and result.
• The "Proumer" Content Model: After pivoting content five times due to algorithm changes, OMG! Artistry coined the term "proumer". This strategy allows them to serve both professionals and consumers simultaneously, providing content that identifies a problem, offers a solution, and includes the product solution.
• Going Viral: They recounted the story of their viral "water bottle curls" video (a hack involving a water bottle and a blow dryer). The video gained 3 million views in five hours and resulted in 30,000 new followers within two weeks.
• The Power of Personality: To stand out in the beauty industry, stylists need to be themselves and showcase their personality alongside their techniques and hacks to build trust and client exposure.
• Hair Festival Education: OMG! Artistry will be joining Katy Reeve and Carolyn Gahan to teach their session, "Method and Mindset," on Sunday, June 28th, from 4:30 to 5:30.
  • Technique Focus: The education will focus on simplifying blonding and creative colour techniques with real-life, repeatable, numeric steps.
  • Blonding Inspiration: Their blonding technique is inspired by the haircutting concept of overdirection to create softness.
  • Consultation: The class will cover consultation, including reverse engineering the desired look from the client's request. Attendees receive a swag bag valued at $140.
• Favourite Joico Hero Products:
  • Silver Light lightener: Lifts over nine levels and contains charcoal-infused ingredients that multitask by lifting and toning simultaneously.
  • K-Pak Color Therapy Luster Lock Treatment (K-PAK 20): Strengthens the hair and is considered an essential product.
  • Heat Hero: A dry thermal protection spray with a hold of three, featuring a split-end mender that activates with heat.e heat to deeply absorb the treatment.

Links & Resources

• Follow OMG! Artistry (Olivia Thompson): Instagram & TikTok under the handle OMG Artistry. @omgartistry https://linktr.ee/Omgartistry
• Follow Joico: https://www.instagram.com/joicoaustralianz/
• Hair Festival Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/2026-hair-festival/tickets#group3
• Hair Festival Session: "Method and Mindset" with OMG! Artistry, Katy Reeve, and Carolyn Gahan https://hairfestival.com.au/sessions/joico-presentation/ (Sunday, June 28th, 4:30 – 5:30)

In this episode of Cutting Through the Noise, Hayley Mears sits down with Natalie Chadwick, Creative Director of CPR Hair, for a conversation about intuition, creativity, and the mindset required to build something meaningful in the hair industry.

Nat reflects on the role intuition has played throughout her career, describing it as both a superpower and a challenge. Her ability to read people and environments quickly has helped shape creative direction and leadership decisions, but it also means absorbing the anxieties and energy around her — something she’s learned to manage over time.

Hayley highlights Nat’s agility when it comes to branding and execution, noting how her ability to move quickly from idea to action has been a key factor in the growth of the CPR brand. This same creative instinct continues to shape the vision behind Salon Forum 2026, where the theme centres on choosing courage over comfort. Rather than predictable conference environments, the goal is to place the community in spaces that challenge perspectives and create memorable, transformative experiences.

Nat also shares her concept of “purple patches” — bursts of creative magic that tend to arrive at the least convenient times. Whether during holidays or late-night moments of inspiration, these periods of clarity often spark some of her most impactful ideas.

The conversation also traces Nat’s personal journey into the industry. From being a single mum with no savings and a background in music to becoming the Creative Director of CPR, she reflects on the power of taking consistent steps forward, even when the bigger picture feels uncertain.

Throughout the episode, Nat emphasises the importance of a collaborative ecosystem within the industry. Rejecting the idea of competition between brands and artists, she believes progress happens when people share knowledge, support each other’s work, and contribute to a stronger collective community.

This is an inspiring conversation about trusting instinct, embracing creativity, and building a career through courage, curiosity, and connection.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why intuition can be both a strength and a challenge in leadership
• The agility required to build and scale a brand
• The vision behind Salon Forum 2026: choosing courage over comfort
• Creative “purple patches” and where ideas really come from
• Nat’s journey from musician and single mum to Creative Director
• The importance of collaboration over competition in the industry

Related Links:

@natalie_cprhair

@cprhair

@cprhairpro

www.holisticsalons.com/jointhemovement

In this episode of Cutting Through the Noise, Hayley Mears sits down with salon owner and entrepreneur Sheridan Rose Shaw for a deeply honest conversation about growth, motherhood, and redefining leadership during major life transitions.

Sheridan shares what the past year has looked like as her business continues to expand while welcoming her second daughter, Queenie. While the growth has been exciting, she opens up about the reality behind the scenes — navigating postpartum anxiety, battling mastitis, and learning to slow down after years of being driven by ambition and momentum.

The conversation explores how these experiences reshaped Sheridan’s approach to leadership and business. Rather than working constantly in the salon, she began shifting her focus to working on the business — bringing on a manager, Tom, and implementing backend systems like Trello to support daily operations and allow the team to thrive without her being across every detail.

Sheridan also speaks about the importance of daily rituals that support her wellbeing and mindset. Breathwork, meditation, and intentional moments of stillness have become non-negotiable anchors that help her stay present both as a mother and as a leader.

A self-described “fast manifester,” Sheridan reflects on the power of clarity and commitment when pursuing goals. Once she sets her mind on a vision, she pours her energy into making it happen — a mindset that has shaped both her career and her personal growth.

The episode also highlights the importance of mentorship and collaboration within the industry, including Sheridan’s long-standing connection with award-winning hairdresser Chris Benson, whose guidance and support have played a role in her development.

This is a thoughtful and vulnerable conversation about ambition, resilience, and learning how to evolve as both a business owner and a parent.

In this episode, we cover:

• Growing a salon business while welcoming a second child
• Postpartum anxiety, mastitis, and the realities of new motherhood
• Transitioning from working in the business to working on it
• Building systems and hiring leadership support
• The role of daily rituals in maintaining mental wellbeing
• Manifestation, mindset, and turning vision into action
• The value of mentorship and industry collaboration

🔗 Useful Links:

https://www.instagram.com/sheridanroseshaw_mamawest/

https://www.instagram.com/mamawest_/

Learn a thing or two from MAMAWEST!