Kelly Cardenas is a visionary leader, bestselling author, global speaker, and host of a top 1% podcast heard in over 70 countries. Before any of the accolades, he was a kid from Lompoc, California-raised on faith, forged in service, and fueled by a deep love for people.
From sweeping salon floors to building a multimillion-dollar brand, Kelly’s journey is anything but conventional. What started as cutting hair for extra cash in high school turned into founding Kelly Cardenas Salons, with locations in Chicago, San Diego, Las Vegas, Carlsbad, and the Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas. Kelly’s success wasn’t built through ads or algorithms-it was built on “the vibe”-his belief that people remember how you make them feel more than what you do. His salons averaged over $1 million per 1,000 square feet, all by pouring into people and culture first.
A former Paul Mitchell artistic team member and inductee into both the Peace, Love, and Happiness Charity Hall of Fame and Cabrillo High School Alumni Hall of Fame, Kelly has become a trusted voice for Fortune 500 companies, faith-based communities, and cultural leaders looking to rehumanize their approach to leadership.
Kelly is the author of two books-The Vibe and InchStones: The Vibe Within-and he delivers keynote talks that leave audiences feeling seen, energized, and equipped to lead with heart. Known as a “self-esteem machine,” Kelly helps people do uncomfortable and uncommon things with confidence, clarity, and kindness.
At his core, Kelly is a husband of 17 years to his incredible wife Brooklyn and a proud father to Makena (16) and Maddox (13). No matter how far his reach extends, he never forgets where he came from—and he’s on a mission to help others rise, not by chasing status, but by serving well and loving big.
Interviewed by Winn Claybaugh, Kelly tells how he launched his career and what it took to get noticed by those who could help him succeed. His magnetic stage presence and unique ability to verbalize the art of hair made him an extremely popular and successful platform artist, educator, national leader, and trendsetter. In this classic MASTERS podcast, Kelly will surely captivate you with his impactful insights and unrelenting desire for greatness.
RELATED LINKS
Website: https://www.kellycardenas.com/
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-vibe-with-kelly-cardenas/id1330521935
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thevibewithkellycardenas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealkellycardenas/