PODCAST · business
BUILDING & BREAKING with Nina L. Kovner
by Nina L. Kovner
BUILDING & BREAKING with Nina L Kovner is a podcast about how brands are built, how trust is broken, and what it all means for salon owners, hairstylists, small business creatives and brands who give a damn. Each week, Nina takes you behind the scenes of brand strategy, leadership decisions, and real-world examples from inside and outside the beauty industry. With decades of experience building brands (and witnessing heartbreaking downfalls), Nina breaks down the moments that define a brand: the bold moves, the missed opportunities, the trust built, and lost. Whether you're leading a team, growing behind the chair, or navigating the noise of modern marketing, this podcast will help you slow down, get clear, and make aligned decisions that build trust and higher lifetime client and team value. No fluff. No BS. Just truth, context, and clarity from someone who's been behind the chair and inside the brands.
Episodes
-
Pro Beauty Brands: Trust, Brand Promises, and What Still Makes Them Professional
The question keeps coming up: Are professional beauty brands dead? I've gotten it in DMs, in conversations, in industry circles for years. I shared a Reel a few months ago on the topic, and now we're going to talk about it in this episode of BUILDING & BREAKING. I'm not here to bash brands or...
-
Discernment: What 2026 Is Asking of Salons, Stylists, and Pro Beauty Brands
After a long break and a lot of life, I'm back! In this episode of BUILDING & BREAKING, I share a personal update, then dive into the highlights of my 2026 Trends & Outlooks conversation, A Shift Toward Discernment, and why discernment is the word, the practice, and the strategy that matters most...
-
GUEST EPISODE: A Conversation with Katie, The Walmart Hairstylist
On this episode of BUILDING & BREAKING, I sit down with Katie, the awesome hairstylist and content creator behind the TikTok account @walmarthairstylist, for a conversation I've been so excited to share with you! And an important note, I've shared before that I don't edit these podcasts, and that...
-
The Internet: When Trust Was Traded for Attention
Social media and the internet didn't just become part of our lives; they became a brand we were asked to trust. In this end-of-year episode of BUILDING & BREAKING, I step back from the noise to look at the internet and social platforms through a brand lens: the promise they made, why that promise...
-
ENCORE Madison Reed: Filling the Gap Between Box Color and Balayage with Clarity of Brand Story and Market Position
I'm sharing this episode again because the salon industry continues to be confused about brand story, market position, and how that drives every decision you make for your salon business, including how you price your services. There is a market for everyone! In this episode of BUILDING &…
more -
The Walmart Hairstylist: A Personal Brand Story of Care, Trust, and Value
On this episode of BUILDING & BREAKING, I talk about a TikTok that showed up on my FYP and stopped me in my tracks: a hairstylist working inside a Walmart salon known as @walmarthairstylist At first glance, I thought it had to be AI. Not because I was judging her. But because I rarely see content...
-
The Brand Lesson Beauty Pros Need To Understand from Costco, Trader Joe's & In-N-Out Burger
In this Extended Encore episode, we're combining three episodes, from three iconic legacy brands, Trader Joe's, Costco, and In-N-Out Burger, and what they all share in common, and can teach every salon, stylist, and beauty professional about the truth that never changes: your salon brand story is...
-
Sundance Film Festival: How A Place Built A Brand and Why Leaving Changes Everything
In this episode of BUILDING & BREAKING, we're talking why the nostalgia macro trend has become one of the most powerful trust-building forces in business and why so many brands are leaning into the familiar, the simple, and the human. Through the story of Sundance Film Festival and its decision…
more -
Apple: How Brand Clarity and Experience Design Built Trust and Reinvented An Industry
Apple didn't just design products; they designed and consistently delivered an experience. In this episode of BUILDING & BREAKING, we look at how Apple used brand story clarity and experience design to build trust, reinvent retail, capture a significant share of the computer market, and reshape…
more -
Why I Resisted Creating My Personal Brand (And Why I Can't Anymore)
In this episode of BUILDING & BREAKING, we are doing something a little different. Instead of unpacking another company's brand story, I'm sharing my own brand evolution, moving from Passion Squared (a business brand) to Nina L. Kovner (my personal brand), and why I created MENTORED. with Nina L....
-
GAP: A Legacy Brand Finds Its Relevance Again by Reclaiming Its Soul
In the 90s and early 2000s, GAP wasn't just a store; it was a cultural force. Then came overexpansion, distraction, and one of the most infamous logo fails in branding history. For years, GAP drifted in a sea of sameness, losing clarity and connection. But today, under the leadership of CEO…
more -
e.l.f. Cosmetics Revisited: The Broken Brand Promise We Didn't Expect
In this short follow-up episode of BUILDING & BREAKING, we're revisiting e.l.f. Cosmetics, a brand we recently celebrated for its clarity, consistency, and connection with its audience. But something shifted. After releasing their most recent ad campaign that contradicted their values-forward…
more -
Red Lobster: Losing and Rebuilding Brand Trust, One Decision at a Time
In this episode of BUILDING & BREAKING, I'm diving into the story of Red Lobster's recent comeback and what it teaches us about brand clarity, decision-making, leadership, and trust. From the chaos of the Endless Shrimp promotion to the arrival of new CEO Damola Adamolekun, this isn't a story…
more -
Rihanna & Fenty: The Power of a Personal Brand in Business, Leadership, and Building Trust
In this episode of BUILDING & BREAKING, we take a closer look at Rihanna, not just as an artist, but as a personal brand that has redefined what it means to lead, serve, and build businesses that matter. We explore how Rihanna's brand began with a purpose, to challenge the lack of representation…
more -
Southwest Airlines: What Happens When You Abandon What Made Your Brand Different
In this episode of BUILDING & BREAKING, we take a closer look at how Southwest Airlines went from beloved to broken, by abandoning the very promises that made them different. Southwest wasn't built by analysts. It was built by Herb Kelleher, a rebellious, people-first founder who believed…
more -
Madison Reed: Filling the Gap Between Box Color and Balayage with Clarity of Brand Story and Market Position
In this episode of BUILDING & BREAKING, we take a closer look at how Madison Reed filled the gap between drugstore box color and major salon transformations by knowing exactly who they serve, what those clients value, and how to deliver consistency at scale. Madison Reed isn't stealing your...
-
e.l.f. Cosmetics: Low Price, High Value, and The Possible White Space in Pro Beauty
In this episode of BUILDING & BREAKING, we're diving into the brand story of e.l.f. Cosmetics, the brand proving that low price doesn't have to mean low value. From launching $1 products in 2004 to becoming one of beauty's fastest-growing brands, e.l.f. shows how clarity of brand story and market...
-
The Fundamentals of Brand Story and Building Trust From Costco to Taylor Swift (and Beyond)
In this 10th episode of BUILDING & BREAKING, we're recapping the first nine episodes by connecting the dots between Costco, Starbucks, In-N-Out, Taylor Swift, Aveda, Olaplex, Trader Joe's, Drybar, and Target. From warehouse giants to pop icons, these brands might look different, but the...
-
Drybar: How Simplicity Built A Brand And Inconsistencies Are Testing Its Promise
Drybar didn't invent the blowout, but they turned it into a brand with a crystal-clear promise: No cuts. No color. Just blowouts. Drybar built a business and brand on simplicity, consistency, and solving one real and relevant problem for busy people who wanted beautiful hair without the hassle.…
more -
Olaplex: How a Brand Built on Bonds Can Rebuild Trust with Salons and Hairstylists
Olaplex didn't just create a product, it created a category. It provided stylists a new language around hair health and made the salon pro, at every level, feel more confident, understood, and seen. But as the brand scaled and shifted toward the consumer market, something got lost: connection and...
-
ENCORE Costco: A Masterclass In Trust, Brand Promises, and Lifetime Team and Member Value
We're off this week, so please enjoy an encore of the first episode of BUILDING & BREAKING in case you missed it. Be back next week with a new episode! In the premiere episode of BUILDING & BREAKING, Nina dives deep into one of the greatest brand loyalty stories of our time: Costco. Through...
-
In-N-Out Burger: The Power of Simplicity, Brand Strategy, and Staying in Your Lane
This week, we're driving straight into the In-N-Out experience, a brand that's never chased trends, but instead chose clarity, consistency, and connection. No chicken sandwiches. No seasonal drops. Just a focused menu, a powerful brand promise, and systems that deliver, over and over again. In…
more -
Trader Joe's: How Brand Story Creates Connection & Builds Trust Through Every Decision
Trader Joe's isn't just about $3.99 flowers or dark chocolate peanut butter cups, it's a masterclass in brand clarity and alignment. In this episode, we break down how every decision they make, from no delivery to no self-checkout to no coupons, is driven by their brand story (which includes…
more -
Starbucks: How Losing Focus On The Brand Experience Cost Them Barista & Customer Trust
In this episode of BUILDING & BREAKING, Nina unpacks Starbucks: the iconic brand that built its success on human connection and consistent experience, and what happens every time it drifts away from that brand promise. From Howard Schultz's bold 2008 shutdown all U.S. stores to reconnect with the...
-
Taylor Swift: How Storytelling, Emotional Connection, and Healthy Boundaries Built A Personal Brand
In this episode of BUILDING & BREAKING, Nina breaks down one of the most iconic personal brands in the world, Taylor Swift. This isn't a fangirl episode (though Nina is a Swiftie, duh). This is about a personal brand and consistent leadership, grounded in brand clarity, emotional connection, and...
-
Target: How Knee-Jerk Decisions Break Trust and Erode Lifetime Customer Value
In this episode of BUILDING & BREAKING, Nina breaks down Target's trust crisis, not as a political conversation, but as a brand case study. Why did loyal shoppers like Nina, who went to Target every week, walk away? What lessons can salon owners, hairstylists, creative entrepreneurs, and beauty...
-
Aveda: From Salon Experience and Relationship Building Innovator To Fracturing Lifetime Customer Value
In this episode of BUILDING & BREAKING, we're diving deep into the legendary story of Aveda: how it rose to beloved icon status, what fueled its global success, and how it lost its way. Nina Kovner, former beauty brand VP, educator, and lifelong observer of Aveda's rise and evolution, breaks down...
-
Costco: A Masterclass in Trust, Brand Promises, and Lifetime Team and Member Value
In the premiere episode of BUILDING & BREAKING, Nina dives deep into one of the greatest brand loyalty stories of our time: Costco. Through personal reflections as a newer Costco member (yet longtime studier of the brand) and decades of experience in brand strategy, Nina unpacks why Costco...
-
The End, The Beginning, and Everything In Between
Why I'm Ending the PEOPLE PASSION PURPOSE Podcast—and Starting a New One That You Absolutely Need To Hear In this final episode, I share why I'm closing this podcast and what's next: Building & Breaking with Nina L. Kovner, a new show about how brands are built, how trust is broken, and what it…
more -
ENCORE EPISODE: What To Do When Your Salon Business Is Slower Than You'd Like
Originally aired January 31, 2024 In this episode, Nina shares some thoughts about the 'everyone is slow' narrative being shared on the salon industry socials. The fact is, not everyone is slow, busy, sad, happy, or anything. This is another example of black-and-white thinking, coupled with...
-
ENCORE EPISODE: Online Discourse and Its Impact On The Salon Industry
Originally Aired May 1, 2024 In this episode, Nina revisits a conversation around our collective loss of perspective as an industry thanks to the algorithms on social media feeding into our fears and insecurities by amplifying the most enraging pieces of content. Remember, your content is your...
-
ENCORE EPISODE: 2024 The Year of Perspective for The Salon Industry
Originally aired January 3, 2024 In this episode, Nina proclaims 2024 to be the year of perspective for the salon industry. One viral TiKTok or some comments from random strangers on the Internet is not fact, or truth. The algorithms are designed to feed off our enragement and discourse. Because…
more -
Calico Hair: Your Salon Brand Content Is Your Marketing
In this episode, Nina shares a reminder that sometimes it's best to keep the snark in the group chat. Whether it's the latest Calico Hair trend, or things some salon clients do that give you the ick, you need to remember that your salon brand content is your marketing, and everything you post,...
-
Let's Catch Up: Finding New Rhythms
In this super imperfect episode, Nina shares a raw and real look at finding a new rhythm after a big move to Park City, Utah. Whether it's pumping gas for the first time in six years, getting into someone else's black Subaru Outback, to working in a super rad coworking space after working from…
more -
Special Guest: David Thurston of Butterfly Loft Salon + Danger Jones
In this episode, we welcome a VERY special guest, David Thurston, owner of Butterfly Loft Salon and founder and CEO of Danger Jones. David shares his journey into the salon industry, his insightful and inspiring stories about taking risks, and how Butterfly Circus created a monumental shift in…
more -
Client Shaming, Building Trust, and Your Salon Brand
In this episode, Nina revisits 'your content is your marketing', emphasizing the importance of creating content that aligns with your specific salon brand and audience. There is a big difference between marketing for local salon clients versus marketing as industry influencers, and to be…
more -
Independent Stylist + Educator Insights: Amanda Harsche, Forma Collective Salon + Danger Jones
In this episode, we welcome Amanda Harsche, an independent stylist, educator, and content creator from Denver, Colorado to the pod. Amanda shares her journey to becoming a hairdresser, despite initial resistance from her parents, how she built a salon clientele in a small town, authenticity and...
-
Growing Your Salon Business Without Relying Solely on Social Media
In this episode, Nina dives into how salons can grow without depending solely on social media. We talk about the importance of understanding how different marketing strategies fit different types of businesses, like not confusing influencer and content creator marketing strategies with your local...
-
Salon Owner Insights: Brenda Amaral of Gwen Mireille Salon & Spa + True Hair Education
In this episode, Nina welcomes back Brenda Amaral, owner of Gwen Mireille Salon & Spa in Raynham, Massachusetts, and founder of True Hair Education. Brenda shares her journey transitioning from booth renter to an employment-based salon owner, emphasizing the importance of overcoming fears and...
-
Let's Catch Up: Creative Slumps, Content Creation, Seeking Context
In this episode, Nina shares some thoughts about creative slumps in content creation including a process to work through your slump. We talk about the importance of genuine connections and the struggle with passive content consumption, the difference between creating content for marketing your...
-
Salon Owner Insights: Sean Paisant of Entrust Hair
In this episode, Nina welcomes Sean Paisant, Owner of Entrust Hair in Portland, Oregon, and seasoned haircutting educator. Sean shares his journey of building, leading, and growing Entrust Hair over the past 14 years, the origins of Entrust, the shift from an employment-based to a lease-based…
more -
ENCORE EPISODE: What To Do When Your Salon Business Is Slow
Originally aired January, 31, 2024 In this episode, Nina shares some thoughts about the 'everyone is slow' narrative being shared on the salon industry socials. The fact is, not everyone is slow, busy, sad, happy, or anything. This is another example of black-and-white thinking, coupled with...
-
Salon Owner Insights: Stacey Rackham of Mint Hair Crafting Salon + Melt Head Spa
In this episode, Nina welcomes back Stacey Rackham, leader and owner of Mint Hair Crafting Salon in Ferndale, Michigan. They dive right into Stacey's new concept, Melt, which focuses on scalp care and head spa experiences inspired by Japanese wellness techniques. Stacey discusses her journey of...
-
The Year of Perspective for The Salon Industry: Adapting to New Salon Realities
In this episode, Nina revisits the January 2024 episode on perspective for the salon industry, and reflects on significant global and consumer trends impacting the salon industry from 2023 to 2024, emphasizing the importance of providing care, building trust, and creating value for salon clients....
-
Salon Owner Insights: Danielle Green of Radically Curly Salon
In this episode, Danielle Green, the owner, and creator of Radically Curly Salon, an employment based salon in Las Vegas returns to the pod. We discuss Danielle's recent move to a large salon from a quad salon suite, to accommodate her growing clientele and team. Danielle shares the journey and...
-
Elevated Salon Prices Require Elevated Salon Experiences
In this episode Nina dives deeper into a recent Reel they shared on the connection between your salon brand, your salon experiences, and your salon prices. When your prices are aligned with the experience you deliver, and you're attracting salon clients who see value in the experience for the...
-
Salon Owner Insights: Kristen Peckich of La Pomponnee Salon
In this episode, Nina sits down with Kristen Peckich, the owner of La Pomponnee Salon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We discuss Kristen's 32 years as the owner and leader of an employment-based salon, her unusually low turnover of team members and clients, her salon leadership philosophy, lessons...
-
Online Discourse and Its Impact on Your Salon Brand and The Salon Industry
In this episode, Nina revisits a conversation around our collective loss of perspective as an industry thanks to the algorithms on social media feeding into our fears and insecurities by amplifying the most enraging pieces of content. Remember, your content is your marketing, and what you choose…
more -
Non-Competes, Building Trust and Your Salon Brand
In this episode, Nina talks about the recent ban on non-compete agreements in the US and why that's awesome news for the salon industry in creating a positive and supportive environment for your salon team members, focusing on building trust through clear communication, expectations, and shared...
-
Generational Discourse: A Tale As Old As Time
In this episode, Nina share insights on generational discourse drawing from their own experiences as a young hairdresser and marketer, the importance of listening to different generations and their perspectives, and how it applies to both your salon business and life and shares some tips from a...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
BUILDING & BREAKING with Nina L Kovner is a podcast about how brands are built, how trust is broken, and what it all means for salon owners, hairstylists, small business creatives and brands who give a damn. Each week, Nina takes you behind the scenes of brand strategy, leadership decisions, and real-world examples from inside and outside the beauty industry. With decades of experience building brands (and witnessing heartbreaking downfalls), Nina breaks down the moments that define a brand: the bold moves, the missed opportunities, the trust built, and lost. Whether you're leading a team, growing behind the chair, or navigating the noise of modern marketing, this podcast will help you slow down, get clear, and make aligned decisions that build trust and higher lifetime client and team value. No fluff. No BS. Just truth, context, and clarity from someone who's been behind the chair and inside the brands.
HOSTED BY
Nina L. Kovner
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does BUILDING & BREAKING with Nina L. Kovner have?
BUILDING & BREAKING with Nina L. Kovner currently has 146 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is BUILDING & BREAKING with Nina L. Kovner about?
BUILDING & BREAKING with Nina L Kovner is a podcast about how brands are built, how trust is broken, and what it all means for salon owners, hairstylists, small business creatives and brands who give a damn. Each week, Nina takes you behind the scenes of brand strategy, leadership decisions, and...
How often does BUILDING & BREAKING with Nina L. Kovner release new episodes?
BUILDING & BREAKING with Nina L. Kovner publishes regularly with 146 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to BUILDING & BREAKING with Nina L. Kovner?
You can listen to BUILDING & BREAKING with Nina L. Kovner on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts BUILDING & BREAKING with Nina L. Kovner?
BUILDING & BREAKING with Nina L. Kovner is created and hosted by Nina L. Kovner.
URL copied to clipboard!