Podcast Summary

Podcast: The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe
Episode: 466: Winn Claybaugh—Hairdressers Rule the World
Date: January 27, 2026
Guest: Winn Claybaugh, Dean and co-founder of Paul Mitchell Schools, philanthropist, author, and podcast host

Episode Overview

This episode revolves around Mike Rowe’s enlightening, funny, and personal conversation with Winn Claybaugh, a driving force in cosmetology education and philanthropy. The discussion delves deep into the world of professional beauty, the power and influence of hairdressers, overcoming adversity, the importance of workplace culture, and what truly motivates people in their careers and lives.

Main Themes & Key Topics

• The Importance & Power of Hairdressers: Examining hairdressers’ unique impact on individuals and society at large.
• Education, Culture, and Building Empires: How Winn built his education-focused company and why culture is at its core.
• Philanthropy and Giving Back: Insights from celebrity partnerships and Winn’s “Masters” podcast.
• Overcoming Addiction: Winn’s very personal journey through addiction and recovery.
• Workplace Purpose, Belonging, and Legacy: How meaningful work and workplace values change lives.

Detailed Discussion Points & Insights

1. How Mike and Winn Connected

• Mike recounts a transformative haircut experience in North Carolina and how it prompted him to include cosmetology in his foundation's scholarship program.

  "It didn't occur to me that maybe our country was suffering from a lack of good haircuts. ... I was wrong to not include that from the very beginning." (02:31, Mike)

• Winn first reached out when seeking Mike’s presence at a Paul Mitchell School gala, which ultimately led to their friendship and this episode.

2. Scope of Cosmetology and Winn’s Background

• What does "cosmetology" cover?
  Winn: “Anything within the professional beauty industry—hairdressers, skincare, barbers, nail technicians, massage therapists… It’s all under my umbrella.” (07:55)

• Winn’s nontraditional path:
  Never a hairdresser himself, Winn found his calling in education and fostering talent.

• On not being the ‘best’ or the ‘smartest':

  “I know what I'm good at, I know what I'm not good at. What I'm really good at is helping people be loyal to a company, a cause... that's healthy, that's integral.” (09:05, Winn)

3. The Genesis of Paul Mitchell Schools

• Problem-solving:
  Early in his career, Winn was frustrated that too many graduates were unprepared for the real world—so he started his own school focused on education and readiness.

• Student energy:

  “They have beginner’s luck, which basically means they don’t know it won’t work… I can walk into my school with the stupidest idea, and they're like, yeah, let’s do it!” (15:32, Winn)

4. Philanthropy & The Power of the Beauty Industry

• Hairdressers rule the world—literally:
  Winn tells stories about how knowing celebrity hairdressers got him immediate access to people like Betty White and Dolly Parton, facilitating impactful philanthropy and fundraising for causes like animal welfare and children’s literacy.

  “Go call her frickin’ hairdresser! ... I had Betty White on the phone within a week.” (32:43, Winn) “Hairdressers rule this planet. I have thousands of reasons why...” (30:32, Winn)

• Industry generosity:
  Winn discusses the culture of sharing, mentorship, and support in beauty, contrasting it with other, more secretive sectors.

• Grassroots giving:
  Paul Mitchell schools have raised $27 million for various causes—mostly through very small donations and creative events like bake sales and “topless” (no roof washed!) car washes. (77:15–78:13)

5. Stereotypes, Opportunity, and Economic Impact

• Battling stereotypes:
  Both Mike and Winn address the stigma around trades and vocational skills—including cosmetology.

  “Hairdressers are put on a pedestal; they can become celebrities in their own right.” (38:35, Winn)

• Industry by the numbers:

  • 10–12,000 students enrolled per year in Paul Mitchell Schools alone. (52:11)
  • Cosmetology/barbering jobs have a 7% projected growth, with 89,000 positions going unfilled last year. (53:02)
  • Stylists can earn $50–65k working part-time, with full-timers easily hitting six figures, especially in major markets. (53:51–54:50)
  • Flexible hours, high entrepreneurship, and opportunities for women and breadwinners.

6. Personal Stories, Addiction, and Resilience

• Winn’s recovery:
  Openly shares his experience as a recovering meth addict—clean 23 years.

  “It got pretty bad. I could have easily lost everything. ... By grace, one day I knew I was done and that was it.” (71:57, Winn)

• Family legacy:
  Winn credits his mother as the heart of his business, teaching him about culture and compassion in both life and work.

  “My mom taught me otherwise… you’ve engaged my time, but you haven’t engaged my heart, my loyalty. And my mom taught me otherwise.” (59:21, Winn)

  Touching stories about his late mother’s involvement in his business, her wisdom, and the close, mutually supportive relationship they had. (57:38–59:21)

7. Culture, Purpose & Workplace Well-being

• Core values over technical skill:

  “We’re going to start with culture... teach you how to be a good human being, the value of being nice and communication and treating each other with respect.” (63:28, Winn)

• Three basic human needs in work:

  1. Safety
  2. Belonging
  3. Purpose
     (66:56)

• Legacy and aging:

  “People die for three reasons: lose money, lose love, or lose purpose... Focus on purpose—that’s legacy for me.” (65:48–66:52, Winn)

8. Hairdressers as Community Figures

• The deep trust between hairdresser and client:
  Touch, confidence, vulnerability, and the role hairdressers play at key life moments from “cradle to grave.” (43:44–44:49)

• Hairdressers as connectors and confidants:
  Hairdressers know everyone and are deeply trusted—clients even check with them before following their psychiatrist’s advice! (45:24–45:47)

• Powerful anecdote:
  Sister Bonnie, a nun who became a hairdresser to serve the homeless in Cincinnati:

  “She’s the only Catholic nun that can say she’s been in the bathroom with 10,000 men—and they all came out smiling.” (80:44, Winn)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the impact of hairdressers:

"Hairdressers rule the planet. And I have thousands reasons why I believe that that's true." (30:32, Winn Claybaugh)

On philanthropy and connection:

"Go call her frickin’ hairdresser! ... I had Betty White on the phone within a week." (32:43, Winn)

On work culture:

"You’ve engaged my time, but you haven’t engaged my heart. You haven’t engaged my loyalty. And my mom taught me otherwise." (59:21, Winn)

On overcoming adversity:

"I was a really good drug addict. I was a good one. I'm an overachiever." (55:46, Winn)
"It got pretty bad. I could have easily lost everything. ... By grace, one day I knew I was done and that was it." (71:57, Winn)

On purpose and legacy:

"As far as legacy, it’s ... did I really make a difference in the lives of people? ... I love money, but as far as legacy ... it’s to really make a difference in people's lives." (66:52, Winn)

On the economics of cosmetology:

"Based on the data, it's looking like a person could earn high 50s, mid-60s working 27 hours a week." (53:51, Ryan via Winn)

Key Timestamps

• 00:04–04:35: Mike tells the origin story leading to this episode; introduction to Winn's background
• 07:13–09:32: Winn on his path, company culture, loyalty, and finding the right people
• 14:33–15:44: The origins and evolution of Paul Mitchell Schools
• 21:22–26:44: Winn’s “Masters” podcast and stories about major philanthropists and celebrities
• 30:32–33:34: Why “hairdressers rule the planet,” anecdotes of access and impact
• 35:00–41:56: Economic opportunity, flexibility, and changing post-pandemic career attitudes in cosmetology
• 53:02–54:50: Job statistics and earning expectations for stylists
• 55:46–57:03: Winn’s candid account of drug addiction and recovery
• 59:21–62:28: Lessons in business and life from Winn’s mother
• 66:52–68:24: Purpose vs. money, the role of culture and meaning at work
• 80:44–81:38: Sister Bonnie—the hairdresser nun’s story of serving the homeless
• 84:16: Where to learn more about Paul Mitchell Schools: paulmitchell.edu

Recommended For

• Listeners seeking inspiration in career and personal growth
• Those interested in the transformational power of skilled trades, especially cosmetology
• Leaders focused on building exceptional workplace cultures
• Anyone rebuilding after adversity or grappling with purpose and legacy

Closing Thought

Mike summarizes the episode with gratitude for their conversation and Winn’s impact—not just on aspiring cosmetologists, but on countless lives improved by kindness, purpose, and the hard-won lessons of resilience.

Mike Rowe (74:10):
"I'm just so delighted this has happened... what is the country really suffering from? It's suffering from people who have lost purpose, who have lost hope, who are struggling financially. ... To be able to find those things through the mastery of a skill—any skill..."

Explore Paul Mitchell Schools:
paulmitchell.edu

Listen to Winn’s own podcast:
Masters

For more on scholarships for trades—including cosmetology—visit Microworks.org.