In this episode of How To Cut It, I’m joined by Rio Agor Watts at Revlon Professional’s head office in London. Rio is Revlon’s Group Education Manager for the UK and Ireland, and her job is to make sure education isn’t just “product info” — it’s practical, relevant, and actually works on the salon floor. We unpack what her role really involves, from shaping the learning experience hairdressers receive to the behind-the-scenes work that most people never see.
Rio takes us through her own journey too — getting into hairdressing young, finding confidence and purpose in the salon, then moving from a large salon group into an independent and eventually into corporate education. She shares what she had to learn the hard way, and the moments that made her realise she wasn’t just a stylist, she was someone who wanted to develop others.
We also get into what Rio believes the industry needs right now, especially around texture inclusivity and education that’s done with respect and integrity. She talks openly about her mixed Nigerian, white and Spanish background, how that shaped her identity and hair journey, and why asking better questions in the salon matters. Expect honest insight on confidence, communication, boundaries, and knowing your worth — from someone whose entire job is helping hairdressers grow.
RESOURCES
- Revlon Professional Education click HERE
- Connect with Revlon Professional UK on Instagram @revlonpro_education_uki
- Revlon Official Learning Hub click HERE
- Connect with Rio on Instagram @riorevlonprofessional
- Watch the conversation on YouTube @howtocutit
CHAPTERS
- 5:11 Weight Loss and Confidence
- 7:48 Roots and Identity
- 10:17 Texture Education Matters
- 12:05 From Money to Passion
- 14:08 Finding Growth at Headmasters
- 15:40 Leaving the Salon Machine
- 16:53 Why Education Wins
- 22:21 Joining Revlon Professional
- 23:57 Escaping the Doom Loop
- 25:52 Social Media and Booking
- 26:28 Educators and New Courses
- 28:53 Look and Learn Model
- 29:43 Visionaries Mentorship Programme
- 30:38 Championing Texture Inclusion
- 33:26 Neurodiversity in Education
- 36:20 Industry-Ready Training
- 37:35 Modern Work Boundaries
- 39:35 Ambition and Burnout
- 41:43 Social Battery Strain
- 43:22 Selling Yourself Well
- 44:34 The Power of Stage
- 46:06 What Makes Presenters Shine
- 48:15 Real Communication Matters
- 49:50 Retaining Talent Together
- 51:56 Charging Your Worth
- 54:39 Color, Care, and Scalp
- 56:39 Hair Loss and Growth