Jun 24, 2026 · 45 min · 14 segments
By any measure, Sam Villa is one of the most renowned educators in the world. Sam joins us to discuss the power of connections and collaboration as well as his hopes for the future. We dig into the…
Sam VillaGuestGordon MillerHost
[laughs] Uh, you know the respect I have for you, so I'm looking forward to the conversation.
You know, I joined Intercoiffure in December, and, and not too long before that, I was at their Fall Atelier, um, in New York City in, in October 2025, and you were presented, uh, by Zoom, I think, 'cause again, you're traveling all over the world, but you had something that's kind of has a, a, kind of a double interest for me, and that was the Leo Passage Award.
As you and I have talked, Leo Passage was my mentor, he's one of the most important people in my life, you know, not just my career, but my life.
Um, and, um, you know, when I think of Leo, and I think of you getting that award, he was a person who I always felt that his passion for education was pretty much unparalleled in the industry.
You truly have an unparalleled passion for education and what it can do for people.
Funny you say that, because at the Beauty Changes Lives Award, after it was over, this gentleman came up to me, introduced himself as Leo Passage's grandson, and he came up to me and he said, "Sam, I, we've never really met, but I just had to come up and tell you how much you remind me of my grandfather." And I was, like, so touched.
I'm so, "Uh, your Le- your grandfather?" I said, "Nobody can touch your grandfather." He said, "No, uh, just your passion for the growth of the industry, your passion for the growth of education, your passion for the youth." He goes, "I could feel it in every word, just like I was listening to my grandfather." So, uh, I thank you for that compliment, 'cause that...
I, I think two of his grandchildren, you know, possibly more were there, but Corey, you spoke to either Corey or Brandon, I, I, I'm guessing.
[laughs] Uh, you know the respect I have for you, so I'm looking forward to the conversation.
You know, I joined Intercoiffure in December, and, and not too long before that, I was at their Fall Atelier, um, in New York City in, in October 2025, and you were presented, uh, by Zoom, I think, 'cause again, you're traveling all over the world, but you had something that's kind of has a, a, kind of a double interest for me, and that was the Leo Passage Award.
As you and I have talked, Leo Passage was my mentor, he's one of the most important people in my life, you know, not just my career, but my life.
Um, and, um, you know, when I think of Leo, and I think of you getting that award, he was a person who I always felt that his passion for education was pretty much unparalleled in the industry.
You truly have an unparalleled passion for education and what it can do for people.
Funny you say that, because at the Beauty Changes Lives Award, after it was over, this gentleman came up to me, introduced himself as Leo Passage's grandson, and he came up to me and he said, "Sam, I, we've never really met, but I just had to come up and tell you how much you remind me of my grandfather." And I was, like, so touched.
I'm so, "Uh, your Le- your grandfather?" I said, "Nobody can touch your grandfather." He said, "No, uh, just your passion for the growth of the industry, your passion for the growth of education, your passion for the youth." He goes, "I could feel it in every word, just like I was listening to my grandfather." So, uh, I thank you for that compliment, 'cause that...
I, I think two of his grandchildren, you know, possibly more were there, but Corey, you spoke to either Corey or Brandon, I, I, I'm guessing.
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