Shauky Gulamani stepped in to the role of president and CEO of FHI Heat in 2011. Since then, he and his team have expanded the company into FHI Brands as well as opened a new 70,000 square foot headquarters, created a new brand identity and launched FHI Brands in four continents.

 “I have had the privilege of teaching an amazing team how to reinvent the wheel and be bold enough to push every boundary and cross every line into the infinite where more can always be done,” Gulamani says.  MODERN SALON asked for an update on the brand as it continues to heat up.

MS: Please share your beauty background.

SG: I became a hairdresser overseas and owned my own hair salon. Shortly after, I began traveling around the world studying fashion and hair trends. I have styled many celebrities and for almost a decade I was involved in creating the hairstyles for the Miss Universe Organization that airs in over 85 countries.

My true passion for teaching set in motion my education career, which then led to sales and marketing for some of the top hair companies. My insight into the future trends and needs of the beauty industry allow me to mold and shape companies until they are in the limelight.

MS: What have been some of your successful FHI Brands product launches?

SG: There have been many innovations including RUNWAY IQ, the hot rollers that heat up in 8 seconds and Hair Veil Powder Hair Filler, which creates the illusion of fuller, thicker, healthier hair. With Glamour Rods, we created a textured barrel which uses a diamond-shaped pattern that allows the hair to lightly grip the barrel and prevents it from sliding. For our Nano Titanium we used a non-porous material with layers of copper, nickel, platinum, ceramic and titanium, so the chemicals used during a chemical service are not absorbed into the plates and damage the hair. STYLUS by FHI Heat created a new product category in the beauty industry.

We also redeveloped all of the hair tools and upgraded the technologies into a higher grade, quality and performance and we repackaged the entire brand so it is recognized easily.

MS: Share a bit about the evolution of FHI.

SG: I am extremely proud that our team continues expanding nationally and internationally. In 2014, we announced our FHI HEAT Spokesperson, Celebrity Hairdresser Gregory Patterson. We have a phenomenal team and our departments are all in-house. We are also adding a state of the art research and development facility and labs.

MS: How does FHI reach the hairdresser?

SG: The big plan for 2016 is what’s always on my agenda, which is to be the hairdresser for all hairdressers, creating, developing and innovating in such a way that I am pushing the beauty industry forward and benefitting salon professionals around the world. This year we are focusing on the hairdresser more than ever before. Our sales and education team led by veteran Chris Campbell will focus on hiring over 200 educators and doing more shows and education focused on reaching the hairdresser. The plan is also to continue being at the forefront of heating Innovation by developing newer technologies that will create even higher performing heating tools. We are also working on new technologies and with our new labs in-house, we will be launching new hair care lines and liquid products.

MS: Where is FHI distributed? 

SG: We have very strong distribution in North America and we are even solidifying our relationships with our partners and now we are rapidly growing internationally and are seeking distributors globally.

MS: What is your most recent launch and current focus?

SG: Blow Out Nano Ceramic Hair Dryer Set is a unique dryer combining the handle and barrel in a distinctive shape that provides ultimate control and ease for drying and styling.

And the Stylus Successor is a Dual Heating Thermal Styling Brush with an innovative dual heating system providing two chambers of heat on the front and back of the thermal styling brush. It includes seven chambers of ceramic heat, four tourmaline ceramic heat conductors and a heated curved ridge back creates ultra-smooth, high shine results.

https://www.fhibrands.com/