Stronger with Don Saladino
Episode Title: Build Stronger Confidence with Kristan Serafino
Air Date: February 24, 2026
Host: Don Saladino
Guest: Kristan Serafino, renowned men’s celebrity groomer & entrepreneur

Episode Overview

This episode of Stronger pivots from physical strength to the kind of everyday confidence and resilience that stems from intentional self-care and grooming. Don Saladino sits down with celebrated men's groomer Kristan Serafino—a force behind the scenes for A-listers—whose mastery goes far beyond hair, touching on self-perception, vulnerability, entrepreneurship, and how looking your best unlocks new confidence. With honesty and humor, Don and Kristan recount her unconventional career change, the real-life challenges of launching her own product line, and practical strategies for showing up as your most confident self—no red carpet required.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Origin of a Lifelong Friendship

[01:44]

Don and Kristan reminisce about their first meeting: Ryan Reynolds’ Men’s Health cover shoot in Tribeca, with “a horrible haircut” that Kristan insisted on fixing.
The beginnings of mutual respect and support: Don connected Kristan with a shoulder surgeon who would become part of her extended community—a testament to showing up for each other.
On friendship as a filter:

“As you age, your circle gets smaller or your circle becomes a square…” – Kristan, [04:43]

Memorable moment:
They share their “done” code; no ask is too big, establishing a depth of friendship based on reliability.

What It Means to Be a 'Celebrity Groomer'

[06:16]

Both Don and Kristan bristle at being labeled "celebrity" professionals; the title feels media-driven and misses the point.
Kristan describes her true purpose:

“I’m not a celebrity—they are. What I am is the eyes behind the lens. I’m the last person to touch them…before they go out. I’m the authority in my space.” – Kristan, [06:46]

Key Insight:
Her work is about building confidence—especially for clients who are nervous, vulnerable, or undergoing visible life changes.

From Boston College to the Roof of the Javits Center: Kristan’s Unconventional Career Path

[08:25]

Kristan shares her journey: a decade in corporate life post-BC, before taking the leap at age 30 into hairdressing—relinquishing a six-figure salary for $6.50/hr at Toni & Guy.
She describes the “angelic” moment at a hair show that catalyzed her pivot.

Quote:

“I went to the hair show and it was like the angels—they sang. I saw, ‘Oh my gosh, this is what I want to do.’” – Kristan, [10:18]

Family backstory: Her mom, a 60s hairstylist who funded her father’s education but wanted more educational doors for her daughters.
Her entrepreneurial roots: Her father was a founder of Champs sporting goods and a sounding board for her as an adult entrepreneur.

“My dad is an integral part of my business today.” – Kristan, [13:31]

Breaking In: From Salon Assistant to Red Carpet Authority

[17:22]

Kristan’s first years: cold-calling publicists, working low-wage salon jobs, and hustling for minor magazine credits.
Her first celebrity: Elizabeth Berkley, followed by her big break with Matthew McConaughey (an impromptu haircut at his house changed her career trajectory overnight).
The importance of timing and niche: She rode the media shift from models to celebrities on magazine covers and found her lane as a woman excelling in men’s grooming.

Don’s Perspective:
“She’s at the forefront…now everyone’s asking for Kristen for their shoots. Twenty years ago, that didn’t exist.” – Don, [23:05]

Memorable Anecdote:
Cutting McConaughey’s hair in LA, which led to global work and a long-term working relationship.

The Unspoken Demands of Grooming and High-Performance Careers

[25:36]

Grooming is about managing personalities as much as managing physical appearance.
Don references Alice Cooper’s approach to backup musicians: Technical skill is key, but “who do I want to have a beer with? That list is much shorter.” Relatability and temperament matter, especially when clients are vulnerable.
Kristan cautions against blurring lines between professional and fan:

“I am not the celebrity. I’m there for one responsibility only, and that’s to take care of that client.” – Kristan, [25:49]
The humility in service roles: Both describe being “expendable” and learning to accept, adapt, and move forward when clients move on.

Kristan’s Core Lesson:
“When a client leaves, it makes room for a new one…It’s ebb and flow, just like life.” – [29:31]

Mastering the Art of Confidence

[32:10]

Managing diverse and sometimes difficult personalities is a learned skill, underpinned by her parents’ emphasis on self-belief—“we were never allowed to say ‘can’t’”.
Calm is contagious:

“If someone’s frazzled, I don’t get frazzled. I stay me…If someone is having a nervous moment, the calmer you become, it brings them back quicker.” – Kristan, [33:04]
Both Don and Kristan share how quickly they can read moods and recalibrate during a session—whether as coach or stylist—so clients leave feeling confident and supported.

Memorable & Lighthearted Moment:
Kristan once had to shave Don’s back on set for a photoshoot—emphasizing attention to detail and the intimacy/trust of such relationships (with much laughter and self-deprecation). [37:04]

Entrepreneurship: The Best Paste and Rebuilding at Zero

[39:01]

Covid shutdown leads Kristan to buy and relaunch a hair product brand, The Best Paste—"confidence in a jar."
She describes soul-searching, rebranding, perfecting products, and manufacturing logistics, all while personally bootstrapping the operation and supporting a family through hard times.
The grind: Traveling, handling inventory, patching together a lean team, learning the realities of distribution, and making “thousands of products” by hand when supply runs low.
Breaking into retailers: Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, and a groundbreaking anime collab with Yu-Gi-Oh!—but with immense work behind the scenes to succeed.

Quotes:

“You can have the greatest product on the planet. And if no one knows about it, you ain’t gonna sell it.” – Don, [53:14]
“We’re running lean…but I have such incredible people around me that support me.” – Kristan, [50:06]

On starting over:

“Here I am at this stage of my career…I buy a company, I start from zero, nobody knows us…Never spent an ad in advertising. I’ve self-funded the whole thing.” – Kristan, [54:45]

The Deeper Purpose of Grooming: Confidence, Wellness, and Human Vulnerability

[55:58]

Kristan’s philosophy: Grooming is about confidence, not vanity. Sitting in the stylist chair is uniquely vulnerable; men and women see their insecurities, rarely their best features.
For men, women buy nearly half of all grooming products; habits are shifting as younger generations pay more attention to self-care, spurred by social media and changing norms.
Don observes the wellness crossover—hair and skin care as part of holistic health and self-assurance.

Kristan’s Take:

“For me, it’s confidence in a jar…You use it, and you feel the best that you can that day. When you look in the mirror, you feel your best and that’s what it does for you.” – [61:04]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Professional Identity:

“I’m not just a hairstylist. You know, I’m really not…My work should speak for itself.” – Kristan, [14:20]
On Being Expendable:

“If I decide to retire tomorrow, I’m replaced that day…When you establish that thought process, you develop some humility.” – Don, [28:16]
On Starting Over:

“At the age of 30, I left it all…I racked up debt. But I always said, I’m gonna make it in this business.” – Kristan, [18:21]
On The Pressure to Perform:

“You get in, you gotta sell, because if it’s not moving off the shelves, they’re gonna yank you. Exactly.” – Don, [50:40]
On Vulnerability in the Chair:

“Getting your hair cut is the only time in life you will sit in a chair and look in the mirror for an hour. It pulls out every insecurity…” – Kristan, [56:23]
Don on Kristan’s Grit:

“What I really keep respecting about you is your grittiness and your ability to level up in situations when people crumble and…give up." – Don, [64:30]

Timestamps for Major Segments

[01:44] - How Don & Kristan met, forging a friendship
[06:16] - Bristling at the “celebrity” label; being the eyes behind the lens
[08:25] - Kristan’s unconventional pivot to hairdressing and entrepreneurship roots
[17:22] - Breaking into the industry; cold-calling, first celebrity breaks
[23:05] - The rise of men’s grooming and magazine culture shift
[25:36] - Relatability, professional boundaries, and the expendability lesson
[32:10] - Managing diverse personalities, family lessons in confidence
[39:01] - The Best Paste: acquisition, challenges, and product journey
[55:58] - Confidence, wellness, and shifting grooming norms for men
[64:19] - Don’s admiration for Kristan’s resilience and closing reflections

Where to Find Kristan

Instagram: @SerafinoSays
Product: @thebestpaste

Key Takeaways

True confidence is grounded in self-care, self-awareness, and community.
Career reinvention at any age is possible but requires humility, persistence, and a willingness to start over.
Behind every outward success is unseen grit: vulnerability, late nights, personal sacrifice, and a deep commitment to lifting others up.
Grooming—and the right support—can empower anyone to “show up” stronger, whether for a board meeting, a photoshoot, or everyday life.

*“Let’s get stronger—together.”

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Origin of a Lifelong Friendship

[01:44]

Don and Kristan reminisce about their first meeting: Ryan Reynolds’ Men’s Health cover shoot in Tribeca, with “a horrible haircut” that Kristan insisted on fixing.
The beginnings of mutual respect and support: Don connected Kristan with a shoulder surgeon who would become part of her extended community—a testament to showing up for each other.
On friendship as a filter:

“As you age, your circle gets smaller or your circle becomes a square…” – Kristan, [04:43]

Memorable moment:
They share their “done” code; no ask is too big, establishing a depth of friendship based on reliability.

What It Means to Be a 'Celebrity Groomer'

[06:16]

Both Don and Kristan bristle at being labeled "celebrity" professionals; the title feels media-driven and misses the point.
Kristan describes her true purpose:

“I’m not a celebrity—they are. What I am is the eyes behind the lens. I’m the last person to touch them…before they go out. I’m the authority in my space.” – Kristan, [06:46]

Key Insight:
Her work is about building confidence—especially for clients who are nervous, vulnerable, or undergoing visible life changes.

From Boston College to the Roof of the Javits Center: Kristan’s Unconventional Career Path

[08:25]

Kristan shares her journey: a decade in corporate life post-BC, before taking the leap at age 30 into hairdressing—relinquishing a six-figure salary for $6.50/hr at Toni & Guy.
She describes the “angelic” moment at a hair show that catalyzed her pivot.

Quote:

“I went to the hair show and it was like the angels—they sang. I saw, ‘Oh my gosh, this is what I want to do.’” – Kristan, [10:18]

Family backstory: Her mom, a 60s hairstylist who funded her father’s education but wanted more educational doors for her daughters.
Her entrepreneurial roots: Her father was a founder of Champs sporting goods and a sounding board for her as an adult entrepreneur.

“My dad is an integral part of my business today.” – Kristan, [13:31]

Breaking In: From Salon Assistant to Red Carpet Authority

[17:22]

Kristan’s first years: cold-calling publicists, working low-wage salon jobs, and hustling for minor magazine credits.
Her first celebrity: Elizabeth Berkley, followed by her big break with Matthew McConaughey (an impromptu haircut at his house changed her career trajectory overnight).
The importance of timing and niche: She rode the media shift from models to celebrities on magazine covers and found her lane as a woman excelling in men’s grooming.

Don’s Perspective:
“She’s at the forefront…now everyone’s asking for Kristen for their shoots. Twenty years ago, that didn’t exist.” – Don, [23:05]

Memorable Anecdote:
Cutting McConaughey’s hair in LA, which led to global work and a long-term working relationship.

The Unspoken Demands of Grooming and High-Performance Careers

[25:36]

Grooming is about managing personalities as much as managing physical appearance.
Don references Alice Cooper’s approach to backup musicians: Technical skill is key, but “who do I want to have a beer with? That list is much shorter.” Relatability and temperament matter, especially when clients are vulnerable.
Kristan cautions against blurring lines between professional and fan:

“I am not the celebrity. I’m there for one responsibility only, and that’s to take care of that client.” – Kristan, [25:49]
The humility in service roles: Both describe being “expendable” and learning to accept, adapt, and move forward when clients move on.

Kristan’s Core Lesson:
“When a client leaves, it makes room for a new one…It’s ebb and flow, just like life.” – [29:31]

Mastering the Art of Confidence

[32:10]

Managing diverse and sometimes difficult personalities is a learned skill, underpinned by her parents’ emphasis on self-belief—“we were never allowed to say ‘can’t’”.
Calm is contagious:

“If someone’s frazzled, I don’t get frazzled. I stay me…If someone is having a nervous moment, the calmer you become, it brings them back quicker.” – Kristan, [33:04]
Both Don and Kristan share how quickly they can read moods and recalibrate during a session—whether as coach or stylist—so clients leave feeling confident and supported.

Entrepreneurship: The Best Paste and Rebuilding at Zero

[39:01]

Covid shutdown leads Kristan to buy and relaunch a hair product brand, The Best Paste—"confidence in a jar."
She describes soul-searching, rebranding, perfecting products, and manufacturing logistics, all while personally bootstrapping the operation and supporting a family through hard times.
The grind: Traveling, handling inventory, patching together a lean team, learning the realities of distribution, and making “thousands of products” by hand when supply runs low.
Breaking into retailers: Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, and a groundbreaking anime collab with Yu-Gi-Oh!—but with immense work behind the scenes to succeed.

Quotes:

“You can have the greatest product on the planet. And if no one knows about it, you ain’t gonna sell it.” – Don, [53:14]
“We’re running lean…but I have such incredible people around me that support me.” – Kristan, [50:06]

On starting over:

“Here I am at this stage of my career…I buy a company, I start from zero, nobody knows us…Never spent an ad in advertising. I’ve self-funded the whole thing.” – Kristan, [54:45]

The Deeper Purpose of Grooming: Confidence, Wellness, and Human Vulnerability

[55:58]

Kristan’s philosophy: Grooming is about confidence, not vanity. Sitting in the stylist chair is uniquely vulnerable; men and women see their insecurities, rarely their best features.
For men, women buy nearly half of all grooming products; habits are shifting as younger generations pay more attention to self-care, spurred by social media and changing norms.
Don observes the wellness crossover—hair and skin care as part of holistic health and self-assurance.

Kristan’s Take:

“For me, it’s confidence in a jar…You use it, and you feel the best that you can that day. When you look in the mirror, you feel your best and that’s what it does for you.” – [61:04]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Professional Identity:

“I’m not just a hairstylist. You know, I’m really not…My work should speak for itself.” – Kristan, [14:20]
On Being Expendable:

“If I decide to retire tomorrow, I’m replaced that day…When you establish that thought process, you develop some humility.” – Don, [28:16]
On Starting Over:

“At the age of 30, I left it all…I racked up debt. But I always said, I’m gonna make it in this business.” – Kristan, [18:21]
On The Pressure to Perform:

“You get in, you gotta sell, because if it’s not moving off the shelves, they’re gonna yank you. Exactly.” – Don, [50:40]
On Vulnerability in the Chair:

“Getting your hair cut is the only time in life you will sit in a chair and look in the mirror for an hour. It pulls out every insecurity…” – Kristan, [56:23]
Don on Kristan’s Grit:

“What I really keep respecting about you is your grittiness and your ability to level up in situations when people crumble and…give up." – Don, [64:30]

Timestamps for Major Segments

[01:44] - How Don & Kristan met, forging a friendship
[06:16] - Bristling at the “celebrity” label; being the eyes behind the lens
[08:25] - Kristan’s unconventional pivot to hairdressing and entrepreneurship roots
[17:22] - Breaking into the industry; cold-calling, first celebrity breaks
[23:05] - The rise of men’s grooming and magazine culture shift
[25:36] - Relatability, professional boundaries, and the expendability lesson
[32:10] - Managing diverse personalities, family lessons in confidence
[39:01] - The Best Paste: acquisition, challenges, and product journey
[55:58] - Confidence, wellness, and shifting grooming norms for men
[64:19] - Don’s admiration for Kristan’s resilience and closing reflections

Where to Find Kristan

Instagram: @SerafinoSays
Product: @thebestpaste

Key Takeaways

True confidence is grounded in self-care, self-awareness, and community.
Career reinvention at any age is possible but requires humility, persistence, and a willingness to start over.
Behind every outward success is unseen grit: vulnerability, late nights, personal sacrifice, and a deep commitment to lifting others up.
Grooming—and the right support—can empower anyone to “show up” stronger, whether for a board meeting, a photoshoot, or everyday life.

*“Let’s get stronger—together.”

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Summary

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Origin of a Lifelong Friendship

What It Means to Be a 'Celebrity Groomer'

From Boston College to the Roof of the Javits Center: Kristan’s Unconventional Career Path

Breaking In: From Salon Assistant to Red Carpet Authority

The Unspoken Demands of Grooming and High-Performance Careers

Mastering the Art of Confidence

Entrepreneurship: The Best Paste and Rebuilding at Zero

The Deeper Purpose of Grooming: Confidence, Wellness, and Human Vulnerability

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Major Segments

Where to Find Kristan

Key Takeaways

Summary

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Origin of a Lifelong Friendship

What It Means to Be a 'Celebrity Groomer'

From Boston College to the Roof of the Javits Center: Kristan’s Unconventional Career Path

Breaking In: From Salon Assistant to Red Carpet Authority

The Unspoken Demands of Grooming and High-Performance Careers

Mastering the Art of Confidence

Entrepreneurship: The Best Paste and Rebuilding at Zero

The Deeper Purpose of Grooming: Confidence, Wellness, and Human Vulnerability

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Major Segments

Where to Find Kristan

Key Takeaways