Industry Visionary and Pioneer Rick Goldberg Dies

MODERN SALON and SALON TODAY is sad to learn of the passing of industry leader Rick Goldberg on March 13, 2013. Goldberg was an energetic visionary and a pioneer within the professional beauty industry. He was 58.

Throughout his professional career, Goldberg worked on product development, sales and marketing for a number of professional brands, including Aveda, KMS, L’Oreal, and TIGI. He was a longtime Aveda distributor, and served as a consultant to Aveda founder Horst Rechelbacher.  Goldberg’s many professional accomplishments include: Co-developer of the Cost Cutters franchise; two-time Aveda distributor of the year; equity owner of American Crew; president of the Beauty and Barber Supply Institute; the 1992 MODERN SALON Distributor of the Year; and one of the founders of The Salon Association.

Services to pay tribute to Goldberg will be held Sunday, March 17, at 12:30 p.m. at Temple Israel in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Goldberg is survived by his three sons, Noah, Josh and Isaac.

The family has asked that any donations in Goldberg's name be made to either the Hennepin Country Medical Center or to the Scleroderma Foundation through its website or by calling 800-722-4673.  

Here, some industry leaders share their memories of Goldberg:

“The beauty industry has lost a great friend in Rick Goldberg.  He was talented and creative.  Rick was a very energetic distributor home-based in Minneapolis, MN, who went on to serve as President of BBSI in the early 90’s.  Rick was fun, he loved a challenge, and approached life with a zealousness that was so often contagious.  We will sure miss his ready smile.  His many friends all over our beauty world mourn his passing.”-- Howard Hafetz, CEO, Raylon Corporation

“Rick’s energy, presence and power were—and are—larger than life. He made a huge difference in my life and in our industry.  He is deeply loved.”--Virginia Meyer, co-founder redCHOCOLATE

"I am shocked and very saddened by the passing of Rick. The eulogy in Modern Salon epitomized him. He greeted me in 1997 with great hospitality, when we were setting up Aveda distribution in the UK. The industry has lost a true pioneer,and a creative and intellectual mind. Additionally a great human being! My sincere condolences to his family."--Leon Alexander, CEO and President, Eurisko Design

"I was at BBSI when Rick came aboard as president. Rick was in many ways a breath of fresh air and he really challenged the organization to think outside the box. He always had some catch phrase that he seemed to pull out of thin air whenever necessary, and it was always humorous and brilliant at the same time. He was the first person I ever remember saying, "Change is Good," and he really led the organization with that phrase in mind. Rick was the architect behind so many programs that the BBSI created, some of which are still thriving today. Rick always talked about his boys and how great they were doing, he was extremely proud of his children. I worked with Rick on several projects after BBSI when he was developing products and brands for other companies, and I was always in awe of his creativity and passion for the beauty industry and life in general. Without a doubt, he is a beauty industry legend, but I think most of us will remember him as a great guy with a big heart, a wonderful sense of humor, a razor sharp mind, and an endless appetite for life."--Mike Spano, former BBSI executive

"I have so many special memories of the early Aveda days with Rick…the strategy meetings where he would pace (having way too much energy to sit for long), waving his arms, expressing his ideas with intense and inspiring passion! Rick's charisma, energy, and innovative thinking was always topped off by being the best dressed man in any room! He has made a positive and permanent impact on every person he touched and contributed to our special industry that he loved!  He'll be missed and remembered…always and in all ways."--Debra Baker Neill, Principal, Neill-TSP

"Rick prompted, provoked, taught, enrolled, envisioned and shared. He challenged our commitment and our status quo. He expected our involvement, and our shared vision brought to life so many initiatives under his Change is Good motto, such as YEC, TSA, BBSI and LEC. Watch out heaven, he will be organizing a new army of creative learners to share his next chapter!" --Sydney Berry, President, Salon Services

Originally posted on Modern Salon