From Columbus Business First, Women of Influence is an interview series showcasing some of the most powerful women in the Central Ohio business community. Hosted by Eleanor Kennedy, Assistant Managing Editor.
https://columbusbusinessfirst.com
episode 24: Women of Influence Preview: Debbie Penzone (plus the unfair costs and expectations of hair care)
Columbus Business First reporter Hayleigh Colombo got her haircut last weekend. She went to Great Clips. And when she returned to the office Tuesday morning and mentioned the cut, she was quick to defend that choice.
Why? Because she feels women are unfairly expected to pay high prices for salon haircuts from a stylist they loyally visit every six weeks. Having just booked my own high-priced salon haircut for early February, I felt personally affronted by Hayleigh's critique, even as I agreed with it.
That's why I decided to shake things up a bit on this week's episode of Women of Influence. Check out the episode, embedded below, to hear Hayleigh and I debate – or at least discuss – the expectations and judgements that plague professional women and their haircare regimens, why we make the choices we do and whether or not this all relates to the patriarchy and the so-called pink tax.
Fittingly, our next guest on the podcast is Debbie Penzone, president and CEO of Penzone Salons + Spas. I interviewed Penzone before Hayleigh made her Great Clips confession, but Penzone's commentary about her career in the beauty industry is still thematically relevant.
Our full interview with Penzone will air next week, but for now, we're sharing her comments about the pros and cons of working closely with her husband and what it was like to take over and, ultimately, rebrand the business he founded.