Licensed & Unsupervised with Beckee and Naomi

In this episode of License & Unsupervised, we welcome back our “supervisor,” Rian DeVeer, for a conversation about identity, high school experiences, and how we all became who we are today.We talk about growing up in different decades — the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s — and how those environments shaped us.Rian shares his experience as a trans man, including how he chose his name and what that journey has looked like over time. We also talk about something surprisingly universal — how often people get our names wrong, and how names can carry identity, meaning, and history.We also discuss:High school experiences across generationsBullying and fitting inFashion and self-expression as teenagersPrivate school vs public school experiencesTeen pregnancy and life pathsHow different high school feels today compared to when we grew upWhy identity evolves — and how we learn to own itThis episode is reflective, honest, and about understanding people beyond first impressions.Licensed? Yes. Still becoming? Always.

In this episode of License & Unsupervised, we’re joined by our first official “supervisor” — Rian DeVeer.We start with origin stories — how we all got to where we are today, how we first met Rian, and the impressions that stuck.From there, we talk about his experience in beauty school as both a student and a teacher, and how education in the hair industry has evolved across generations.We get into:Men in the hair industry and how that has changed over timeConfidence — especially for men in a creative spaceLearning hair through print vs learning through YouTubeThe influence of artists like Guy TangBehind the Chair magazine and how we used to learn from printHow Rian learned through digital platformsWorking together on set for the Empower shoot and magazineTeaching at beauty school and favorite educatorsTrends like the “money piece”World records in the hair industryAnd the wild creativity of artists like Dean BanowetzThis episode is about growth, learning, confidence, and how different generations of stylists find their way in the industry.Licensed? Yes. Supervised? Finally.

This is a shorter episode of License & Unsupervised while we catch up from a couple missed weeks.Today we’re talking about something simple but real — what it’s like trying to walk into a hair salon anonymously… and why that’s basically impossible where we live.We share stories from our time as educators, what it was like teaching and learning at the same time, and how we’ve used ourselves as models for growth behind the chair.We also talk about:Apprentices and how we support themPracticing on real people (including ourselves)Why neither of us wants to do permsShowing up for clients and studentsBeing generalists in an industry that pushes specializationThis one is quick, honest, and very “behind the scenes.”Licensed? Yes. Anonymous? Not a chance.

This is our first guest and he will be on the pod we couldn't be better!

In this episode of License & Unsupervised, we continue the conversation about being older in the room — and what that really means in today’s culture.We talk about pop culture gaps between generations, how apprentices seem to know everything, and how quickly things change when you’re not paying attention.But this episode goes deeper.We revisit the foundations of the industry — Vidal Sassoon, Paul Mitchell, the tradition of wearing black — and contrast that with today’s world of dopamine dressing and self-expression.We also talk honestly about:Perimenopause and how it affects not just us, but the people around usThe emotional weight we carry as hairstylistsHow clients often cry in our chairs simply because they feel safeWhy our salon has become a place where people can be themselvesWhether we’re “alternative” — or just differentHow the industry shifted after COVIDWhy some stylists left, and why others stayedThe importance of consent when sharing client imagesHow we help people reconnect with their confidence and powerWe also reflect on the past — London Calling salon, the Real Big HairBall — and how those experiences shaped who we are today.This episode is about identity, impact, and remembering what really matters in this industry.Licensed? Yes. Different? Definitely. Still here? Always.

In this episode of License & Unsupervised, we talk about what it really feels like to get older in an industry that constantly celebrates youth.We start with something simple — dress codes — and how Beckee had to enforce one in beauty school, even though we don’t personally believe in strict dress rules in the salon.From there, the conversation turns into something deeper: what it means to be professional, how people present themselves on social media, and the difference between being a real person and becoming a “character” online.We also talk about:Being some of the older hairstylists in the roomRealizing your place on a younger teamFeeling self-conscious about agingWhy icons like Vidal Sassoon aren’t as recognized anymoreMentors like Robert Cromeans and what they representHow communication has changed between generationsThe difference between growing up in the 90s and todaySleepovers, piercings, and teenage independence then vs nowPhysical wear and tear from years behind the chairHiding pain and pushing throughThe way women support each other (and sometimes roast each other too)This episode is honest, reflective, and a little funny — about identity, aging, and staying relevant while still being fully yourself.Licensed? Yes. Young? Debatable. Still showing up? Always.

In this episode of License & Unsupervised, we’re recording from Rian’s room (because… why not), dealing with technology issues, and diving into the reality of being highly creative professionals.We talk about the Chromadaddy tour, the lessons that come with meeting your heroes, and how the beauty industry continues to evolve through education and community.We also get into:Hair Aid and the impact of global beauty outreachDopamine dressing and using style to shift your energyDecision paralysis and how creatives get stuckBeing the oldest in the room and stepping into leadershipWhy hair crews are some of the best (and weirdest) communitiesThe competitive nature of the beauty industrySimplifying your wardrobe like high performers and entrepreneursThis episode is about creativity, identity, and learning how to move forward even when your brain wants to overcomplicate everything.Licensed? Yes. Supervised? Not in Rian’s room.www.instagram.com/naomitrotto_hairartistwww.instagram.com/beckeeharrishttps://hairaid.org.au/

In this episode of License & Unsupervised, we talk about parenting, discipline, and the mental rewiring that happens when you decide to change your life.We start with childhood stories — Naomi being a biter, Mia going through a biting phase, and the reality that every child develops differently. From potty training to parenting NICU babies, we talk about how much of parenting comes down to understanding a child’s personality and willpower.Naomi shares what it was like raising babies with colic and living on a NICU schedule, while Beckee talks about working two jobs, managing pregnancy, and navigating the old salon booking systems before everything went digital.Then the conversation shifts into something bigger: the difference between motivation and discipline.We discuss:Parenting strong-willed kidsThe emotional experience of NICU babiesWhy every child develops differentlyOld salon booking systems and the early beauty industry grindThe team’s 75 Hard social media challengeThe movie Inside Out and how accurately it reflects emotionsADHD and self-destructive thought patternsRewiring your brain and creating new neural pathwaysWhy anything worthwhile is rarely easyThis episode is about growth — as parents, leaders, and humans.Licensed? Yes. Supervised? Mostly by discipline.

In this episode of License & Unsupervised, we talk about everything from Diet Coke addiction to what it really means to grow up.We start with Beckee’s legendary Diet Coke habit and Naomi bringing Mountain Dew to Guatemala before diving into what it was like growing up feral in the 90s — no cell phones, no internet, and very little supervision.From there, the conversation moves into parenting teenagers, the reality of raising boys, and how watching our kids become adults forces us to grow alongside them.We talk about:Growing up without the internetParenting teenagers and letting go of controlNaomi’s son is pursuing a future as a firefighterBeckee’s son is playing football safelyWhy men seem to form friendships so easilyBoys bonding through video gamesThe strange moment when you finally feel like an adultMentoring others in business and leadershipBeing over 40 and becoming more confident in who you areNaomi facing the business partner who leftBeckee growing up as the oldest of four and leading by exampleFaith, belonging, and moments when church didn’t feel like homeThis episode is honest, funny, reflective, and a little chaotic — just like life.Licensed? Yes. Supervised? Not since the 90s.

In this episode of License & Unsupervised, we finally get our sound together — and then immediately start talking about why stylists are rock stars.We dive into the legacy of Vidal Sassoon and how he revolutionized modern hairdressing, branding, and the idea that the stylist is an artist. Why did stylists traditionally wear black? Because the guest is the rock star — not us.We talk about:What stylists should actually wear todayDress codes then vs now“Work casual” culture and being okay with mediocreDressing for success behind the chairThe old BA dress codesWorking in heels (and what that did to our feet)Retail inside the salon and why it mattersExclusive product access back in the dayPaul Mitchell packaging nostalgiaKevin Murphy, Salon Centric & Michigan distribution cultureNaomi smoking for 13 years and quittingBeckee’s cigarette experienceAnd the Diet Coke addiction cliffhangerThis episode is for hairstylists, salon owners, beauty professionals, and anyone navigating personal evolution inside a creative industry.Licensed? Yes. Supervised? Depends on the caffeine level.

In this episode of License & Unsupervised, we open up about motherhood, cancer, friendship, and what happens when your children grow into adults.Both of our sons are seniors in high school, and we talk honestly about what it feels like to watch them step into their future. From tux fittings and milestone moments to the quiet emotional shifts that come with parenting teenagers, this season of life hits differently.Naomi shares what it was like being a mom of a child with cancer — the emotional drain, the fear, the strength you didn’t know you had, and how that season changed her forever.Beckee opens up about her three children and how different each of their personalities and paths has been, along with her journey walking alongside her mom’s cancer diagnosis.We talk about:Gilda’s Club and support communitiesThe emotional weight of pediatric cancerFriendships formed through traumaHow Naomi and Beckee really became friendsLife after leukemiaParenting adult childrenThe unexpected lessons podcasting has taught usAnd the question: “Is the back of the head your business?”This episode is for moms, parents, cancer families, hairstylists, and anyone navigating life’s big transitions.Licensed? Yes. Life-supervised? Not always.

In this episode of License & Unsupervised, we’re talking about DIY hair, color theory, and the very different types of salon guests we meet behind the chair.We kick things off with Chromadaddy and how creative color education and product innovation are changing the way stylists approach vivid and corrective color. From there, we dive into the wild world of at-home hair experiments — the DIY box-color moments, the “I saw it on TikTok” trims, and the guests who treat their bathrooms like chemistry labs.We break down:Why some guests love experimenting on themselvesWhy others won’t touch their own bangsThe truth about using Pantene and drugstore shampooWhether you should wash your hair before your salon appointmentThe importance of color theory and always doing a test strandA throwback to the best class party at Paul MitchellWhat education really taught us (and what it didn’t)This episode is for hairstylists, salon professionals, beauty students, and anyone who has ever tried to color their own hair and hoped for the best.

This episode starts with hydration — or more accurately, Naomi’s complicated relationship with water.What begins as a casual conversation about drinking enough water quickly spirals into college memories, short-lived academic ambitions, and how neither of us exactly followed a traditional path before ending up behind the chair.Then we take a turn to Hawaii.Beckee shares the story of the moment she fully believed she was Moana in the ocean — connected, powerful, main character energy — until reality reminded her otherwise. Naomi follows with her own story about having zero fear on land… but perhaps a little too much confidence near water. The episode ends with a moment that is both hilarious and humbling — and yes, Alayna saving Naomi’s life.This one is lighter, story-driven, and wildly honest. It’s about overconfidence, self-awareness, ADHD brain tangents, and the kind of storytelling that only happens when two hairstylists over 40 sit down without supervision.Behind the chair, we carry people’s stories all day. In this episode, we share a few of ours. If you’ve ever felt unseen, emotionally exhausted, or quietly questioning what’s next while still loving this industry, this conversation is for you.Our Instagrams: https://www.instagram.com/beckeeharris/ & https://www.instagram.com/naomitrotto_hairartist/, and Naomi's Avante Garde page can be found here: https://www.instagram.com/nays_muchness/Learn more about us, our work, and our philosophy at https://basalonmi.comExplore our services and book an appointment: https://basalonmi.comFor bridal inquiries and alternative bridal hair experiences: https://basalonmi.com

In this first episode, we pull the curtain back on why this podcast needed to exist.We talk about what it really means to start something new after 40—especially in an industry where you’re expected to always be “on,” always giving, and rarely supervised. Being a hairstylist means working independently while holding space for everyone else’s emotions, stories, milestones, and trauma. Over time, that emotional labor adds up.In this conversation, we explore how deeply emotional this career can be, how making a real impact on clients’ lives can take a toll on your nervous system, and why burnout in the beauty industry isn’t about weakness—it’s about caring deeply for a long time. We also talk about the freedom that comes with being over 40: caring less about outside noise, people-pleasing, and expectations that no longer serve us, and caring more about honesty, boundaries, and sustainability.This episode is for hairstylists, salon professionals, and creatives who have been behind the chair long enough to feel the weight of the work—but still love it. It’s about evolution, perspective, and choosing to show up differently as we age, grow, and redefine success on our own terms.If you’ve ever felt unseen, emotionally exhausted, or quietly questioning what’s next while still loving this industry, this conversation is for you.Our Instagrams: https://www.instagram.com/beckeeharris/ & https://www.instagram.com/naomitrotto_hairartist/, and Naomi's Avante Garde page can be found here : https://www.instagram.com/nays_muchness/Learn more about us, our work, and our philosophy at https://basalonmi.comExplore our services and book an appointment: https://basalonmi.comFor bridal inquiries and alternative bridal hair experiences: https://basalonmi.com