Speaking and Education

The salon perspective, brought to your audience.

I bring the perspective of a cosmetologist, salon entrepreneur, and educator to conversations about professional growth, natural hair care, and collaboration across the beauty and healthcare industries. My work is grounded in what professionals experience in the salon and the questions that arise when education meets everyday practice.

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Topics

What I speak and teach on

If you are planning a workshop, panel, professional gathering, or educational program, let's discuss your audience and what you want them to take away.

1

Recognition Is Not Diagnosis

What hair care professionals observe, and how responsible referral supports collaboration.

2

The Salon Perspective on Hair Loss

Trust, identity, client conversations, and the value of continuity.

3

Building a Career Beyond the Chair

Professional growth, education, entrepreneurship, and mentorship.

4

Natural Hair Education and Industry Opportunity

Lessons from salon ownership and creating spaces for learning.

5

From Education to Salon Practice

Turning professional learning into thoughtful client care and operational choices.

Teaching portfolio

Classes I've developed and taught

I help professionals connect education with salon practice through natural hair care, client consultation, observation, product-label literacy, and collaboration with dermatologists. The focus is informed judgment and clear communication within professional scope.

  • The Power of ObservationSeeing and documenting hair and scalp changes in the salon.
  • Beyond the Label™Reading ingredient lists with a critical eye.
  • CHECK YOUR CENTER PART™My signature awareness education, used within STRAND Network™.
  • The Relationship That Started STRANDThe founder story, shared with Dr. Chesahna Kindred.
  • Natural Hair 101Foundations of natural hair care for professionals.
  • Nurturing Your Client NaturallyConsultation and client care.
  • Hair Locing 101Starting and caring for locs.
  • Natural Hair Styling Without ExtensionsPractical styling techniques.
Headshot of Susan L. Peterkin wearing glasses.

For event organizers

Short bio

Susan L. Peterkin is a cosmetologist, educator, entrepreneur, and mentor with more than 40 years of industry experience. Her work spans natural hair care, salon ownership, professional education, and collaboration between hair care professionals and dermatologists. A co-founder of the Natural Hair Industry Convention and STRAND Network™, she brings a practical salon perspective to professional growth and hair and scalp awareness.

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Invite Susan to speak