In Episode 3 of CABELO – The Root of It All, I sit down with hairdresser and entrepreneur Kirsty Woolnough for an incredibly open and honest conversation about hair, business, mental health and finding purpose through some of life's most difficult moments.

Kirsty takes me back to where her career began and how her passion for creativity eventually led her into hairdressing. We talk about building a loyal client base, taking risks in business and the rather unconventional decision to convert a bus into a mobile salon during lockdown.

But behind the success, Kirsty was facing a much more personal battle.

She opens up about being diagnosed with bipolar II, experiencing some of the darkest periods of her life and the impact it had on her relationships, family and career. We also talk about the misconceptions surrounding bipolar, learning to manage the condition and why Kirsty now believes it can sometimes be her superpower.

We also explore how a client's experience with cancer changed the direction of Kirsty's career and sparked her passion for hair loss, hair enhancements and hair replacement. Today, she's using everything she's learned to help people feel more confident in themselves and has exciting plans to educate other professionals and make these services more accessible.

In this episode:

• Kirsty's journey into hairdressing

• Building a business and taking risks

• Her bipolar II diagnosis and mental health journey

• The reality of working while struggling behind the scenes

• Why hair can mean so much more than appearance

• Moving into hair loss and hair replacement

• Turning difficult experiences into purpose

• Kirsty's plans for the future

This is a powerful conversation about resilience, ambition, mental health and the importance of doing something that gives you purpose.

Welcome to The Root of It All.

Welcome to CABELO – The Root of It All.

I'm Rob Wood, founder of Novo Cabelo, and through this podcast I sit down with industry professionals, business owners and inspiring people to uncover the stories, experiences and lessons that have shaped their careers.

In this episode, I'm joined by Vikki Harrison-Smith, founder of SB Barbering Academy. With more than 30 years in the barbering industry, Vikki shares her journey from apprentice to academy owner, why education and confidence go hand in hand, and how barbering has evolved over the years.

We also discuss entrepreneurship, mentoring the next generation, and why more people are choosing creative careers over traditional corporate paths.

Whether you're a barber, hair professional, business owner, or simply enjoy honest conversations with passionate people, there's plenty to take away from this episode.

Subscribe to CABELO – The Root of It All for more conversations with inspiring guests from the worlds of hair, business and beyond.

Welcome to CABELO – The Root of It All.

I'm Rob Wood, founder of Novo Cabelo, and through this podcast I sit down with industry professionals, business owners and inspiring people to uncover the stories, experiences and lessons that have shaped their careers.

But for the very first episode, we're turning the tables.

I'm joined by Cliff, Head of Barbering at Novo Cabelo, who takes over the questions to find out more about my own story. From my past and the experiences that shaped me, to building Novo Cabelo and where I am today.

We talk about the journey behind Novo Cabelo, the challenges and lessons I've faced along the way, how the business has evolved, and what the future holds for both me and the brand.

It's an honest conversation about the person behind Novo Cabelo, how I got to where I am today, and what's still to come.

Whether you're interested in hair, business, entrepreneurship, or simply enjoy hearing the real stories behind the people building something they're passionate about, I hope you enjoy this first episode.

Subscribe to CABELO – The Root of It All for more conversations with inspiring guests from the worlds of hair, business and beyond.