about us

 

Established in 2005, Mocha Group provides the definitive media, digital and awards network for the Australian hair, beauty and barbering industries. Sharing knowledge and championing the best of the best, we continue to raise the benchmark of excellence and represent our industry on a global scale. We are proud to use our diverse platforms to celebrate, support and inspire creatives, business owners and brands alike.

Led by industry visionary Linda Woodhead, the business was originally created in 2005 as a publishing house offering in salon magazines followed by industry B2B magazines to truly reflect the challenges and achievements of individuals, businesses and brands within the industry. Over the years we have evolved into the multi-layered omni channel support system that the industry now trusts to represent it across Australia and the world.

FOR THE INDUSTRY, BY THE INDUSTRY

Media

News, education and inspiration via the printed and digital publications Hairbiz, Beauty Biz and Barbershop.​

Awards

The industry’s most comprehensive awards program comprising of AHIA Business, AHIA Creative, ABIA and AMBA.​

Digital

Innovative and meaningful online interaction/dialogue through our website, EDM, social media and blog.​

Charity

Mocha Angels division makes a difference to those touched by cancer alongside the life changing Love Your Sister charity.

Meet The Mocha Team

Mocha Group is made up of a professional team, who have unparalleled combined experience in trade & consumer publishing, events, marketing, pr and the hair, beauty, barber and fashion industry.

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If you have any enquiries about mocha group, please get in touch using the form to the left, and we will get back to you at our earliest convenience.
Contact Details
Linda Woodhead

Linda Woodhead

Owner and Founder
I emigrated to Australia in 1986 and launched my own publishing company with the first publication being RAVE magazine – A free street press weekly music and entertainment newspaper. We were instrumental in sponsoring and assisting the launch of Big Day Out here in Australia!
I went on to own a number of consumer titles including Insight (Spiritual New Age), Work From Home, (Business) and Which Franchising and after selling the business, acted as an independent full time consultant to AHJ Publications in the role of General Manager overseeing the bi-monthly journal for the hair industry – the AHJ – for 5 years. I also event managed the Australian Hair Fashion Awards and set up the FAME TEAM here In Australia in association with the British Fellowship. I am a proud single mother to 31-Year-old daughter Kellie (partner in crime at mocha group), and 28 year old twin boys Jake and Sam, and Nanny Loulou to my 1 year old grandson Sage.
I launched mocha group in 2006 – A hair and beauty company offering print and online magazines, events and awards to the hair, beauty and barber industries and am very proud of bringing the hair, beauty and barber industries together collectively for an annual fund-raising campaign in alliance with Samuel Johnson supporting Love Your Sister raising over $150,000 so far.
I’ve been known as a business and motivational speaker, am a Reiki Master, Qualified Masseuse and Fire Walker! I live on a beautiful acreage property in the Gold Coast Hinterland with my crazy large dog Kai and the adopted cat Mittens!
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jarred stedman bio for MocahGroup

Jarred Stedman

GENERAL MANAGER

I’m not your average General Manager. My journey is defined by a passion for branding, an obsession with innovation, and a string of accolades for my fashion and hair photography, and marketing skills. I’ve always seen myself as a conduit between problems and solutions, a role that has been my unwavering anchor point throughout my career.

Working with clients like Louis Vuitton, Disney, Marie Claire, and major hair companies has allowed my influence to span diverse sectors. My career started in my year 9 dark room, armed with a cheap film camera, smelly chemicals, and a passionate photography teacher. Since then, it has taken me around the world—working with football clubs in Africa, fashion labels in Europe, and charities in outback Australia.

In 2014, meeting my wife became a transformative moment, bringing color into my black and white world, especially with the vibrant hue of yellow. This personal joy seamlessly translated into my professional endeavors, adding a unique and vibrant touch to my work.

My exceptional blend of left and right brain attributes—creative yet organized, spontaneous yet strategic, socially intelligent with strong business acumen—perfectly aligns with my role as the General Manager for MochaGroup.

For me, it’s not just about managing; it’s about fostering a collaborative and innovative environment where authentic connections drive success.

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Kellie Woodhead

Kellie Woodhead

Art Director and Event Manager
My name is Kellie (miss mocha), and I have been working with the boss lady since 2008 (wow…!) Starting off as the girl that got all the tasks that nobody wanted, to self-teaching my way into the world of design and events! I now design the magazines and help run all events alongside my biggest supporter, Linda (Mum!), as well as the rest of the mocha team, my family.
On the side, with my partner, Cuba, I also help with the running of our gin bar and restaurant (Covent Garden, Brisbane), as well as an online Gin gift shop! To say I am busy, is an understatement (but I never run out of Gin!)
Keeping me grounded, is my very crazy, energetic 1 year old son, Sage. He is my biggest achievement to date, and the reason I keep striving to be the best I can be in business, and in life.
My happy place is by the ocean, with the people I love, forever reminding ourselves to stay grounded and positive in this crazy world we live in.
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Louise May

Louise May

Editor-in-Chief
Hair Biz + BEAUTY BIZ + Barbershop
MAGAZINEs
I grew up in a Griffith which is in the Riverina area of regional NSW.
I did my hairdressing apprenticeship in Griffith and made the move to Sydney in my 4th year. I managed several salons for a well-known NSW salon chain and bought my 1st salon in 1996 in Sydney. After having my 1st child, I sold my salon and worked for Matrix Australia (pre L’Oreal taking over) in sales and education. I then purchased my 2nd salon in Sydney and went on to have 2 more children, and in 2012 we decided to sell everything and make the move up north to Port Macquarie for a sea change.
When we made the move, I was offered a position with a Haircare & Skincare private branding company and began building relationships with salon owners all over NSW and QLD, and worked with them on building their Brand Profiles and growing their brands. This led me to working closely with salon owners on their businesses, turnover, their KPI’s, their teams and their mindset. This is where I really fell in love with helping salon owners, and where I transitioned into the mentoring space for salons. I have now been mentoring with salon owners for the past 6 years, and during that time purchased another salon which is in Port Melbourne (12 hours away from home)
In October 2020, I took over the position of Editor with Hair Biz Magazine and I am absolutely loving it! My hubby James and I reside in a small coastal town 10 minutes south of Port Macquarie, we have 3 beautiful kids, Luke 21, Ryan 14 and Abby 12. We have Coco the Groodle, Cupcake the Cat, and Pippa the Horse.
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Chereine Waddell

Chereine Waddell

online editor - mocha group
I am a Makeup artist, educator and published author. Despite my 15+ years in industry, accomplishments and accolades, most people know me for my sunshine yellow hair, aquarius tendencies, love of cheese, pugs, disney, dress ups, apparently contagious laugh and general quirkiness, or as my mum would say “uniqueness”. Like mother like daughter.
My background is in fashion design, fine arts, makeup and more recently design. With a variety of multidisciplinary skills on my tool belt, I now have a very holistic approach to my craft, oscillating between commercial and editorial work, working alongside epic Hair, Fashion and Beauty photographers, with work published in Elle China, Vogue Italia online, Culture, Oyster, Peppermint, Laud, The Journal, Lucy, Factice, Vulkan, Schön and the list goes on. My happy place is delving into a concept and creating unique imagery that tells a story and makes you feel something.
This will be my 10th year working in education, across various private and public makeup colleges. I feel very honoured to be in a position to mentor and inspire these young creative minds. We have much to teach the next gen, and they have much to teach us. I also regularly collaborate with industry, doing educational workshops sharing my skills, knowledge and experience.. My clients include TAFE NSW, Pedestrian TV, Secret Fox education, The Show Sydney & The International Makeup Lovers Conference.
In 2021 I kicked my biggest goal yet, publishing my first 150 page coffee table book called Beyond the Face, a highly personal story book with over 60 Makeup images, inspired by my childhood, parents and unconventional upbringing; My heart and soul on the pages of a book only made possible by an army of special people.
I am based in Sydney, living my best northern beaches life with my biggest cheerleader and hubby Jarred Stedman, and our fur baby Popsicle the pug.
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Nina Barbara

Nina Barbara

Group Sales Manager
I was born in Australia and come from a very musical and adventurous family – pioneers in fact, however I started my hairdressing career in the UK at the age of 15years and 10 months.
Finishing my training in Australia at Bryan Krebs Toowong & Kangaroo Point College, Brisbane, I went back to Britain to further my career. On returning to Australia I became the owner of Ravels Hair Design, one of the first salons to open the very first HAIR EXPO at the Sheraton Hotel back in the 80s with a live showcase, in Brisbane before it moved to Sydney. In the mid 90’s I moved across to the publishing side of the Hair industry and worked at The Australian Hairdressers Journal for 10 years. Wanting more knowledge in the small business and business coaching industry I started working alongside Brad Sugars/Action Coaching who went on to launch Kenzi Publishing, publishing franchise, small business & work from home magazines. In the early 2000’s I had also started publishing my own magazine titled ‘Passport to your Local Suburbs.’ A community driven magazine, working in all areas of the community supporting youth, aged care and small businesses; a project I am extremely proud of to this day.
Then in 2005 back to my true ‘amore’, the Hair industry and a new adventure with my wonderful friend of 30 years Linda Woodhead. I have been at Mocha now for 15 years enjoying every moment in the role of Group Sales Manager. Oh and along the way I have managed to have two of the greatest kids on the planet from my first ‘mistake’ sorry ‘marriage’ and have 4 stepchildren with my amazing bestie who I also married… oops don’t forget the 8 grandkids!
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