Rodrick Samuels wears many hats in the beauty industry: educator, platform artist, school owner, mentor and industry advocate. In his new book, The Silent Work, he shines a light on the often-unseen efforts that support successful careers, schools and businesses. MODERN SALON sat down with Samuels to discuss the book, beauty education, mentorship and the habits that help beauty professionals thrive.

Practicing Radical Empathy

MODERN SALON: Your new book is called The Silent Work. What does that title mean to you?

Rodrick Samuels: The idea for the book has been with me for years. My mentor, Ivan Zoot, kept asking me, "When are you going to write that book?" Eventually I did, and I was honored to have him write the foreword.

The Silent Work speaks to the people who often aren't seen when the hard work is happening. In education and throughout our industry—whether it's barbering, cosmetology, nails or esthetics—students often only see the outcomes. They don't see the long hours of preparation, maintaining standards, staying compliant with regulations, managing financial aid or all the work that happens behind the scenes.

I wanted to recognize school leaders, educators and platform artists who are doing that work every day and celebrate the contributions that keep our industry moving forward.

MODERN SALON: As a school owner and educator, how are you designing a curriculum that reflects your values and prepares students for success?

Samuels: My wife Lauren, who serves as our branch director, and I have spent countless hours creating something that feels different. We actually think of it less as a curriculum and more as content.Today's students learn differently. Many schools focus primarily on helping students pass the licensing exam. We want to prepare them for a career in the personal appearance industry.

One example is our block system. Instead of spending the entire day in one class, students rotate every two hours, similar to a traditional school schedule. They get a new instructor, a new topic and a fresh learning experience throughout the day. It keeps them engaged, improves retention and exposes them to different teaching styles.

We've also expanded beyond technical skills. We brought in Eric Fisher's Prosper U business training program. We invite our tax preparer to teach students about taxes for entrepreneurs and independent contractors. We've brought in professionals to discuss health insurance, liability insurance and even estate planning.

We're trying to prepare students for what the real world actually looks like. If students are present and engaged, they're going to learn something valuable every day.

MODERN SALON: You often talk about the importance of relationships and community. How do you help students create inclusive experiences for clients?

Samuels: Everything we do at Hair Lab starts with excellence. Whether it's customer service or how we treat one another, we lead with excellence first. I'm teaching a class at America's Beauty Show called Radical Empathy, and I believe empathy is one of the most important skills we can teach. Particularly in barbering, there can sometimes be a lot of ego. But empathy and excellence are what build a loyal clientele—not just a customer base. Nobody is truly self-made. That's why I always mention people like Ivan Zoot, Eric Fisher, my wife Lauren and others who have influenced my journey. Success comes from surrounding yourself with people who genuinely want to see you succeed.

People often think they're alone. They're usually not alone—they're just lonely because they haven't yet found their community. When you surround yourself with people who practice radical empathy, everyone grows together.

MODERN SALON: What habits and mindsets should the next generation of beauty professionals develop now if they want long-term success?

Samuels: The first thing is licensure. We have too many people performing services without proper licensing. A license exists to protect both professionals and the public. It's foundational to professionalism and trust. The second thing is building relationships. Talent alone isn't enough. I've seen many talented individuals whose careers stalled because they weren't connected to the right people or organizations. Get involved. Join organizations like the Professional Beauty Association. Participate in programs like Beacon. Build a professional network. Create opportunities for mentorship and growth.

As Eric Fisher often says, "We're not in the hair business—we're in the people business." Trust is what builds a clientele, and professional involvement helps establish that trust.

MODERN SALON: How has your involvement with the Professional Beauty Association's Beacon program influenced your perspective?

Samuels: Beacon helped me see some of the gaps that still exist in our industry. The students who participate are hungry to learn and grow. They want education that goes beyond technical skills. Programs like Beacon help connect them to industry leaders, new ideas and opportunities they might not otherwise experience. The more connected students become to professional organizations, educational opportunities and industry resources, the more well-rounded they become as professionals.

MODERN SALON: Is there anything else you'd like beauty professionals to know about The Silent Work?

Samuels: I want to encourage anyone interested in education, platform artistry or leadership in the beauty industry to read it. The book isn't just for educators. It's for anyone who wants to understand what it really takes to build a successful career. We often look at successful people and think they became overnight successes, but the truth is that success is built over years of consistent effort. Sometimes we need validation that the work we're doing matters. The work can become repetitive. It can become routine. My hope is that The Silent Work validates what educators, school owners, ambassadors and industry leaders are already doing while also providing practical insights for working with today's learners.

Success often comes from keeping your head down, staying focused and doing the work—especially the work nobody sees.

About the BookThe Silent Workby Rodrick Samuels explores the behind-the-scenes efforts that drive success in beauty education and leadership. Through personal experiences and industry insights, Samuels highlights the importance of consistency, mentorship, empathy and service in building a meaningful career.