REALtalk

BUSINESS

FORUM

Leadership | Business | Entrepreneurship
Building a Resilient Brand

Be prepared to discuss technology, asset creation, brand consistency and messaging and learn how when these processes are in place, how and why consumers will better engage with you. Walking away from REALtalk will promise not just increased knowledge but new relationships with industry peers from keeping it real to building your business in years to come.

Taking place on Sunday 29 June 2025 from 9.00am to 1.00pm followed by lunch, it is one of the best value business conferences in the industry.

With our schedule now finalized, stay tuned for more details on the 2025 event and speakers to be announced soon.

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2025 REALtalk PROGRAM

Sunday June 29, 2025 | 9.00am – 1.00pm | Pyrmont Theatre

8.30am – 9.00am	Coffee and registration
9.00am – 9.05am	Welcome by Cameron Pine (mcee)
9.05am – 9.45am	Redefine Your Brand Story James Needham Co-Founder + Joint Strategy Director – Untangld Untangld Co-Founder James Needham will help you find your brand’s authentic story and zero in on the superpowers that make it unique. By refining and redefining your brand through its role in culture, you will unleash its true value that leads to iconic status.
9.45 am – 10.15am	My Brand My Success Tamara Reid Founder, Inside Industry
10.15am – 10.45am	Panel 1 – Successful Salon Branding Insights Oscar Cullinan – Founder \| Oscar Oscar Salons, WILDE.hair, HMP BT, & BeardDye Emily Ciardiello – Chief of Everything Officer and Creative Director \| Foil me
10.45am – 11.00am	Morning Tea
11.00am – 11.45 pm	Branding Opportunities with Social Media James Fitzgerald Executive Director of Programming – SMK
11.45am – 12.15am	CPR Hair Branding and The Holistic Salon Tabatha Coffey – TV Personality / Global Educator; Salon Coach & Public Figure Cas Donnelly – CEO, Creator of CPR Colour \| CPR Hair Natalie Chadwick – Entrepeneur, Creative Director \| CPR Hair Nicole Lamers – CPR National Colour Ambassador
12.15pm – 12.45pm	Panel 2 – Successful Salon Branding Insights Tracey Hughes – General Manager \| Dermapenworld EXO Grow
12.45pm – 1.15pm	Brand Execution – Interactive Planning Session James Needham Co-Founder + Joint Strategy Director – Untangld You have a brand that people love and here we show you a few simple ways to make it more distinctive and powerful to everyone that engages with it. From kitsch to all-class – ensure your brand speaks your identity.
1.15pm Recap	End of REALtalk
1:20pm – 2:00pm	Buffet Lunch – Outside Pyrmont Theatre

*Program subject to change

Realtalk Speakers

James Needham

Co-founder + Brand and Research Director | Untangld

James is the Co-founder of Untangld, an international strategy studio that’s redefining how ambitious businesses win.

With over two decades of global experience helping shape some of the world’s most iconic and effective brands leading complex brand strategy and research projects for the likes of ANZ, Core Plus Studios, Vida Glow and Intrepid Global Travel.

James Fitzgerald

Executive Director of Programming | SMK

SMK is a global EdTech business specialising in marketing capability transformation, offering both continuous and one-off, discrete learning experiences for brand, government, not-for-profit and agency clients.

As Executive Director of Programming, James is responsible for devising and developing all blue chip and corporate education programs. James has taught over 15,000 senior business decision-makers from leading brands, organisations and agencies, including NAB, ABC, Apple, Ralph Lauren, Tourism Australia, Air NZ, Sky TV and many more.

Oscar Cullinan

Founder | Oscar Oscar Salons, WILDE.hair, HMP BT, & BeardDye

Oscar Cullinan is the visionary force behind Australia’s most iconic luxury hair empire Oscar Oscar Salons, and the driving creative energy behind three luxury hair and beauty brands; WILDE.hair, HMP BT, and BeardDye.com. Twice named Australian Hairdresser of the Year, Oscar’s career spans over three decades, blending artistry with entrepreneurial genius to redefine the beauty landscape and continue a salon legacy that remains a leader in luxury hair.

With WILDE.hair, Oscar brings a cutting-edge approach to luxury, vegan haircare, celebrated for its innovation and recognised as a finalist in the AHIA and AHFA awards. His HMP BT brand has cultivated a cult following for its clean, botanical ski care solutions, while BEARDdye reimagines men’s grooming with bold, fearless style.

Oscar will share his branding story discussing the importance of resilience, creativity, and leadership, making him an ideal panellist guest discussing beauty innovation, brand building, and disrupting industry norms. His passion for elevating both the artistry of hair and the science of beauty is matched only by his commitment to empowering others to look and feel their best.

Tracey Hughes

General Manager | Dermapenworld EXO Grow

Radiating energy and resilience, Tracey Hughes is a master at unlocking potential and inspiring greatness. With a presence that has captivated audiences in over 30 countries and impacted more than half a million people, Tracey’s influence is undeniable. Whether as a keynote speaker, MC, panel moderator, or trainer, she elevates every event with prestige and expertise.

From humble beginnings in hairdressing to becoming a globally respected educator and business leader, Tracey has built a distinguished career spanning education, corporate leadership, and brand development. As the founder of Mieka Hairdressing—an award-winning salon brand with 10 Salon of the Year titles—she later transitioned into executive leadership, serving as Global Education Director and VP of Global Education for leading beauty brands in the USA. Through keynote speaking and business strategy, she has mentored thousands and transformed industry standards.

At this panel, Tracey will share insights on brand positioning—whether for a personal brand, salon brand, or product. She’ll dive into brand ideology, messaging, image, storytelling, and how to execute branding strategies that drive sales. Learn how purpose and messaging fuel business growth and how education elevates your brand, establishing authority and trust.

A multi-award-winning Hairdresser and Educator of the Year, Tracey’s impact extends worldwide. Now, as Global General Manager of Dermapenworld Haircare, she is spearheading the launch of EXO-GROW, setting a new benchmark in scalp and hair restoration. Her unwavering commitment to the industry was recognized in 2018 when she was inducted into the Australian Hair Industry Awards Hall of Fame.

Emily Ciardiello

Chief of Everything Officer and Creative Director | Foil me

Emily Ciardiello is a dynamic entrepreneur, creative director, and co-founder of Foil Me – a global brand renowned for revolutionising the hairdressing industry with its innovative pre-cut hair foils. Originally a high school teacher, Emily transitioned from education to entrepreneurship whilst bringing up her children. Her journey began when a casual visit to a hairdresser sparked an idea that, together with her husband Iliano Ciardiello, led to the creation of a product designed to empower hairdressers with uniquely designed, high-quality foils and other hair tools such as colour brushes and hair boards.

Under her leadership, Foil Me has grown from modest beginnings into a multi-million-dollar business, making waves internationally with stockists in countries such as Canada, the UK, Sweden, Germany, and USA. Beyond her business achievements, Emily – also known by her moniker “The Dressing Gown CEO” – is dedicated to making a positive impact. She has been instrumental in leveraging her brand for social good, including charitable initiatives like designing special collections that have raised significant funds for causes such as breast cancer awareness.

In addition to her entrepreneurial and creative achievements, Emily hosts a successful podcast, The Dressing Gown CEO, where she shares her insights on business, creativity, and innovation. The show regularly features an array of influential guests – from industry leaders to inspiring change-makers – offering listeners diverse perspectives and valuable takeaways.

Tabatha Coffey

TV Personality / Global Educator, Salon Coach & Public Figure

In the world of salon and personal development, Tabatha Coffey is a name that commands attention. Tabatha’s career trajectory is a testament to her evolution and influence. From her early days behind a salon chair to her current role as a globally celebrated coach, her journey has been driven by a passion for empowerment and transformation. Merging professional expertise with spiritual insight, Tabatha’s coaching practice helps individuals align with their purpose, passion, and power.

Cass Donnelly

CEO of CPR & Creator of CPR Colour

Cass Donnelly is the CEO of CPR Hair, a family-run company founded by his father, John Donnelly, in 1963 as Australia’s first haircare manufacturer. With a Business degree from Bond University and a deep passion for the Australian hairdressing industry, Cass has spent decades collaborating with salon owners to understand and share the key elements of salon success. His Salon First Philosophy—prioritising the needs of salon owners—has driven CPR’s innovation, particularly in hair colour.
Recognising that top-performing salons create customised colours tailored to each client’s skin tone, eye colour, and seasonal changes, Cass set out to develop a truly predictable, true-to-swatch colour system. After testing thousands of colours and finding inconsistencies in existing brands, he hand-crafted a palette of 137 highly predictable shades, personally colour-matching each one to ensure accuracy. This led to the creation of CPR Colour, empowering hairdressers to unleash their creativity and build stronger client loyalty through personalised colour experiences.

Natalie Chadwick

Creative Director at CPR

Natalie Chadwick is a dynamic entrepreneur and the Creative director at CPR Hair, where she blends innovation, education, and sustainability to transform the salon industry. Passionate about empowering hair professionals, she has played a key role in initiatives such as Salon Forum 2024 and the Holistic Salon Service, redefining salon experiences to focus on well-being, technical excellence, and business success. Through her leadership, CPR Hair has launched the “I Made the Change” campaign, inspiring industry professionals to embrace transformation in both their careers and personal lives.

A firm believer in progress, kindness, and sustainability, Natalie has been instrumental in forging partnerships with Stellar, Sustainable Salons, and Hair 3Rs, ensuring salons have access to premium, eco-conscious solutions. Her commitment to structured growth and celebrating every milestone has made her a driving force in the industry. Whether through education, mentorship, or innovation, Natalie is dedicated to shaping a future where salons not only thrive but also make a meaningful impact in their communities.

Nicole Lamers

CPR National Colour Ambassador

With over 20 years of expertise in colour innovation and education, Nicole Lamers stands at the forefront of Australian hairdressing. As Creative Director of Revampd Hair Studio and a multi-award-winning stylist, she has mastered the art of precision colour, bespoke artistry, and trend-forward techniques. Now, as CPR Hair’s National Colour Ambassador, she leads the development of advanced colour education and high-performance formulations, ensuring stylists across the industry stay ahead of evolving trends.