16. Icons & Masters: Heart to Heart with Sam Villa

[upbeat music] Hey, everybody, and welcome to The Connector, Intercoiffure's weekly podcast connecting salon owners and professionals with the leaders, artists, and innovators shaping the future of professional salons. I'm your host, Gordon Miller, General Manager of Intercoiffure America Canada, the industry's only not-for-profit association representing employment-based salons across America and Canada. And I'm gonna skip much of my usual intro. Those who listen regularly, you hear it. If, if you missed it, go back to another episode and you'll hear the full intro, um, because I have a really special guest today. Um, I do have to say one thing before I bring him on, and that is to mention to our members the Fall Atelier is right around the corner. It's only like 15 weeks away. It's shocking. I mean, it's, it's coming up fast. Registration is now open. Go over to intercoiffure.com. You can register. You can book your hotel. More information coming on the website. Check it out regularly for updates. All right, our guest today, he is one of the most respected and influential, I'm gonna say figures, more accurately educators, but, um, he- he's much more than that. Um, but one of the most influential our industry has ever produced. Someone I am most proud to call friend, um, for, gosh, go, uh, we'll get, we'll get into how many decades in just a moment. But Sam Villa has inspired hairdressers around the world, literally, through his artistry, his teaching, and his unwavering belief in the power of education to transform lives. He is known for his artist to artist philosophy. We're gonna dig into that. His heart-first approach to everything he does, and really his unparalleled commitment to elevating the profession. Sam has built a legacy that extends far beyond the stages he has appeared on, again across the globe. He's had a 35-year partnership with Redken. Um, he is the co-founder of Sam Villa, the education and tool brand. Um, his impact can be felt throughout the entire industry. Welcome, my friend, Sam Villa, to the Intercoiffure Connector podcast.

Ah, thank you, Gordon. Now, what a, what an introduction. Thank you for that.

[laughs]

[laughs] Uh, you know the respect I have for you, so I'm looking forward to the conversation.

You know, I joined Intercoiffure in December, and, and not too long before that, I was at their Fall Atelier, um, in New York City in, in October 2025, and you were presented, uh, by Zoom, I think, 'cause again, you're traveling all over the world, but you had something that's kind of has a, a, kind of a double interest for me, and that was the Leo Passage Award. As you and I have talked, Leo Passage was my mentor, he's one of the most important people in my life, you know, not just my career, but my life. Um, and, um, you know, when I think of Leo, and I think of you getting that award, he was a person who I always felt that his passion for education was pretty much unparalleled in the industry. It was so deep, so profound. He'd be so proud that you got the award, but in my mind, you're that guy now. Like, you are... You have picked up that baton. You truly have an unparalleled passion for education and what it can do