Barbers at work at one of the V's Barbershop locations.
And just like that we've wrapped the 2022 SALON TODAY 200. Meet the remaining honorees and learn how they've steered their businesses through one of the toughest times in history. Then visit our other announcements to read about the additional honorees.
TIMOTHY JOHN’S SALON
New York City, NY
timothyjohnsalon.com
Timothy Differt and David Spangenthal
SQUARE FEET: 975
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 11
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $81
BEST‐SELLING RETAIL: Redken, Pureology, Baxter Of California
COLOR: Redken
TECH SUPPORT: Daysmart, Rep Defender, First Page Marketing
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA, Green Circle Salons
We focus on growth through Average Ticket, Retail Sales and Guest Rebook and Retention. We decided it was time to go back to our basics and focus on these indicators and we have seen tremendous success. We’re not reinventing the wheel, but we are focusing on our systems and procedures and getting back to basics.”
The team from Trios Aveda Salon in Fort Collins, Colorado.
TRIOS AVEDA SALON
Fort Collins, CO
triosaveda.com
Karen & Joe Deanda
SQUARE FEET: 2800
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 18
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $70
BEST‐SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKIN CARE: Aveda
NAIL CARE: OPI, CND
TECH SUPPORT: Aura
ASSOCIATIONS: Green Circle Salons
“We meet regularly with each team member to track numbers, set bite-sized goals and remind them of the benefits they can take advantage of, including NICE healthcare and Lifelock ID theft protection.
Owner Tricia Rivas (center) with her team from Trixies Salon & Spa in Des Moines, Iowa.
TRIXIES SALON & SPA
Des Moines, IA
trixiessalon.com
Tricia Rivas
SQUARE FEET: 1300; 2700
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 13
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $42
BEST‐SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKIN CARE: Aveda, Dermalogica
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz,Demandforce, Reach
ASSOCIATIONS: ICA, PBA
“We have focused on rebuilding by having more streams of income, and one way is through our boutique. During our closure, we started an online boutique, and we have had success selling items in the salon. We are offering clothing, accessories, gifts, decor and more, and have even started a ‘subscription box’ where guests can get a surprise box filled with Aveda faves and more.”
TRUE BLUE SALON
Nashville, TN
truebluesalon.com
Kim Hunter
SQUARE FEET: 3000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 16
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $65
BEST‐SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKIN CARE: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz
ASSOCIATIONS: ICA, PBA
“To attract new clients, we did a deep dive into Google and heavily increased our spend on Google My Business. We started running ads, adding photos, ad sharing our safety policies. Recently Google offered us a front-page ad for $300. That’s the cost of one good color service so it’s worth it. Our efforts yielded 1,000 new guests from Google this year.”
The team from Tulip Salon & Spa in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
TULIP SALON & SPA
Fredericksburg, VA
tulipsalonspa.com
Priscilla & Ralph Priebe
SQUARE FEET: 4000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 29
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $60
BEST‐SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKIN CARE: Aveda
NAIL CARE: OPI
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Demandforce, Constant Contact
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA
“With a focus on retention, we reevaluated our broadband pay program and incorporated a new service provider level, Senior Master Stylist. This allowed recalibration of all pay levels, creating promotions, as well as salary increases for several team members. To attract new talent and support staff, we adjusted our entry wage to $15/hour.”
The team from Urban Betty in Austin, Texas.
URBAN BETTY
Austin, TX
urbanbetty.som
Chelle Neff
SQUARE FEET: 3400; 1500
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 66
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $70
BEST‐SELLING RETAIL: Kerastase, Pureology, Redken
COLOR: Redken, Pulp Riot, Pravana
TECH SUPPORT: Envision, Meet Your Stylist, Reach, Marketing 360
ASSOCIATIONS: Green Circle Salons
“We fundraise and participate in the Walk for ALS every year, because it is a cause near and dear to our hearts. One of our team members lost both her mother and sister to ALS. This year, we raised $1,490 and closed the doors on a Saturday so all team members could participate.”
Erin Jones, owner of Urban Evolution Salon in Atlanta, Georgia.
URBAN EVOLUTION SALON
Atlanta, GA
urbanevolutionsalon.com
Erin Jones
SQUARE FEET: 1800
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 15
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $65
BEST‐SELLING RETAIL: Oribe, Olaplex, L’Oreal Professionnel
COLOR: L’Oreal Professionnel
TECH SUPPORT: Phorest, Meet Your Stylist, Vish
ASSOCIATIONS: Green Circle Salons
“We have moved from a ‘me/mine’ culture to a ‘we’ culture that breeds teamwork and collaboration. We regularly use Slack to encourage and acknowledge our team, especially when they’re exemplifying our core values. Due to this positive reinforcement, we have a team that is bonded and celebrates one another.”
Lisa Vann, owner of Vann.Studio in Seattle, Washington.
VANN.STUDIO
Seattle, WA
Vann.studio
Lisa Vann
SQUARE FEET: 2500
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 18
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $80
BEST‐SELLING RETAIL: Eufora
COLOR: Eufora
SKIN CARE: Beauty For Real, Eufora
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Demandforce
ASSOCIATIONS: ICA, PBA, Green Circle Salons
“For three months last year, we featured the work of local artists of color demonstrating what ‘Black Lives Matter’ means to them. In conjunction with this art show, we facilitated a fundraising effort for Converge Media, which offers content and local news specifically for the Northwest’s black community.”
An inside look at Varuna Aveda Salon Spa in Annapolis, Maryland.
VARUNA AVEDA SALON SPA
ANNAPOLIS, MD
varunasalonspa.com
REBECCA & RICCARDO SANTORO
SQUARE FEET: 4000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 25
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $65
BEST‐SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKIN CARE: Aveda
NAIL CARE: Zoya
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Reach, Demandforce, Vish
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA
“After losing six team members, we decided to revamp and rebuild our business again, focusing on transparency in all aspects. This allows for a clear career path, with clear goals, training and pay structures. We revamped our commission structure, providing concise benchmarks for promotions and pay increases.”
The team of Vault Salon in Rocklin, California.
VAULT SALON
Rocklin, CA
thevaultsalon.com
Rosemary Wescott
SQUARE FEET: 1300
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 15
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $63
BEST‐SELLING RETAIL: Eufora
COLOR: Eufora
TECH SUPPORT: Vagaro, SalonScale, Numa
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA
“Over the last year, we’ve become extremely active with our local beauty schools. Students now come in and intern with us multiple days a week, and this opportunity has generated individuals who are constantly interested in joining our associate program.”
Heidi Aeppli, owner of Venice Day Spa in Venice, Florida.
VENICE DAY SPA
Venice, FL
venice‐dayspa.com
Heidi Aeppli
SQUARE FEET: 2500
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 20
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $51
BEST‐SELLING RETAIL: Pureology, Redken, Kenra
COLOR: Redken
SKIN CARE: Sanitas, Farmhouse Fresh
NAIL CARE: OPI, Farmhouse Fresh
TECH SUPPORT: Shortcuts, Tippy
“We ran a Google 5-star review contest, inviting guests to post reviews and tag their favorite service provider. The team member in 1st place won a $500 AirB&B gift card; 2nd won $250 and 3rd received $150. Our reviews went from 25 to more than 200 in six weeks.
A stylist consults a client at Verde Salon in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
VERDE SALON
Winnipeg, MB
verdesalon.ca
Roberto Sinopoli
SQUARE FEET: 2100, 2000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 28
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $55
BEST‐SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKIN CARE: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: Phorest, Vish, Green Circle Salons
We offer our team education that goes far beyond the technical. We have marketing education that teaches them how to use social media, create films and reels and fill their chairs. And our entire team has participated in anti-racism and inclusivity training.”
Victoria Vidov, owner of Vidov West in New York, New York.
VIDOV WEST
New York, NY
vidovwestsalon.com
Victoria Vidov
SQUARE FEET: 1000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 16
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $175
BEST‐SELLING RETAIL: Oribe, Rene Furterer, Davines
COLOR: Goldwell
TECH SUPPORT: Boulevard
“With a beautiful new space, we made flyers with pictures of the salon, then walked around the streets handing out cards and letting people know we were new to the area. We offered $25 blowouts and put signs on both corners. All of the girls in the West Village came running in–who could say not to a $25 blowout?”
Kerry and Amy Hovland, owners of Von Anthony Salon in Frisco, Texas.
VON ANTHONY SALON
Frisco, TX
vonanthonysalon.com
Amy and Kerry Hovland
SQUARE FEET: 3400
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 26
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $85
BEST‐SELLING RETAIL: Kerastase, Oribe, Virtue
COLOR: Ella
SKIN CARE: GM Collin
TECH SUPPORT: Meevo 2, Salon Clouds
“Before Covid, our average client was 55-75 years old and they simply didn’t come back. We refocused our marketing efforts on young professionals. We hit digital and social media platforms. Now 25 to 34-year-old clients make up our 42 percent of our client base–they used to represent just 18%.”
Owner Jim Valenzuela surrounded by some of the elite barbers at V's Barbershop in Phoenix, Arizona.
V's BARBERSHOP
Phoenix, AZ
vbarbershop.com
Jim Valenzuela
SQUARE FEET: 54 locations, on average 1200
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 350+
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $28
BEST‐SELLING RETAIL: Layrite, Suavecito, Billy Jealousy
COLOR: Goldwell, American Crew
SKIN CARE: Billy Jealousy, Jack Black
TECH SUPPORT: Mytime
ASSOCIATIONS: ISBN, PBA
“The pandemic strengthened the trend of facial hair, as more gentlemen were home and willing to ‘let it grow.’ What this trend created was the need to ensure that each haircut and beard trim were the absolute best we could provide. We simply buckled down on our basic service and ensured our environment was friendly, respectful and clean.”
The team at Wanderlust Salon and Spa in Sevierville, Tennessee.
WANDERLUST SALON AND SPA
Sevierville, TN
wanderlustsalonspa.com
Jessi Sexton
SQUARE FEET: 3200; 3400
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 19
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $62
BEST‐SELLING RETAIL: Kevin Murphy; Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKIN CARE: Farmhouse Fresh
TECH SUPPORT: Meevo 2, Vish
“With the help from my staff, we went paperless. Our green initiative helped our staff run efficiently while streamlining checkout. With access to booking, checking and client history, the team members work more autonomously. By having more control of their bookings and overall sales, it helps the team recognize areas of growth to reach their next pay tier.
The team from West 13th Salon in West Fargo, North Dakota.
WEST 13TH SALON
West Fargo, ND
west13thsalon.com
Janelle Finseth
SQUARE FEET: 2200
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 10
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $48
BEST‐SELLING RETAIL: Kevin Murphy, Eufora, Haute By Kin
COLOR: Eufora, Kevin.Murphy
TECH SUPPORT: Meevo 2, Vish, Textel, Emma
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA, Green Circle Salons
“After taking Britt Seva’s course on Social Media Marketing, we’ve put a lot of focus into growing our social media presence. By creating a consistent posting strategy, we’ve seen our new guest number increase due to our visibility. We learned how to take better pictures of our work, and we also had a professional photographer come to the salon to photograph us while we were working.”
Owner Amy Pal and the team from Whip Salon in Ridgefield, Connecticut.
WHIP SALON
Ridgefield, CT
whipsalon.com
Amy Pal
SQUARE FEET: 1800; 2000; 1200
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 45
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $90
BEST‐SELLING RETAIL: Davines, Shu Uemura, private label
COLOR: Wella, Redken, L’Oreal
TECH SUPPORT: Mytime
“We introduced Pro on the Go–color that is applied in the salon by a colorist that the client then washes out at home. It is available for anyone who has had a color service at Whip Salon and their formula is on file. We also offered outdoor haircuts all summer and well into the fall.”
Brenda Barnaby, owner of Wild Honey Salons in San Diego, Califonia.
WILD HONEY SALONS
San Diego, CA
wildhoneysalons.com
Brenda Barnaby
SQUARE FEET: 1400
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 10
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $70
BEST‐SELLING RETAIL: R+Co, Eleven
COLOR: Alfaparf
TECH SUPPORT: Booker, Vish
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA
“Our new pricing structure considers time for service (labor), the time between service visits and the desired results. Vish weighs the color, tracks the formula and adjusts it if there was waste for the next visit, then sends the accurate price to the front desk for check out. In less than two months, we recovered more than $3,000 in charges.”
Z SALON & SPA
Louisville, KY
zsalon.com
Zenda Stakelbeck, Lori TerBeek and Denise Zeydel
SQUARE FEET: 2100; 7200
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 62
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $70
BEST‐SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKIN CARE: Aveda
NAIL CARE: Zoya
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Demandforce
ASSOCIATIONS: Green Circle Salons
“We launched a virtual career fair via Zoom to reach students at local schools and even schools not in our area. We put together a video for our YouTube with information on our training program, benefits and staff culture. We added video testimonials from our staff.”
An inside look at Z Studio Art of Hair in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Z STUDIO…THE ART OF HAIR
Tulsa, OK
zstudiotulsa.com
Beau Barbee
SQUARE FEET: 2209; 1500
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 34
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $47
BEST‐SELLING RETAIL: Eufora, Kevin.Murphy, Redken
COLOR: Goldwell
TECH SUPPORT: Meevo 2, Tippy
ASSOCIATIONS: ICA, PBA,
“We hosted a retreat with our leadership team and dug deep to get a 360-degree view of everyone’s position in the salon and how they were coping. We spoke with team members individually and as a group to parse out where they were thriving and where they were struggling. We also solicited feedback from our team about how we were functioning as owners.”
The team from Zinke Hair Studio in Boulder, Colorado.
ZANDI K SALON
Golden, CO
zandiksalon.com
Nicole Wenz
SQUARE FEET: 1200
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 23
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $65
BEST‐SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKIN CARE: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Textel, Reach
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA
“One of our goals for 2021 was to ‘grow your talent and our culture.’ We asked each team member to pick one technique that they secretly hate or are afraid of and conquer it, becoming an expert. Each month, one person shared their journey to becoming an expert on their chosen technique.”
ZINKE HAIR STUDIO
Boulder, CO
zinkehairstudio.com
Megan Robertson and Jolene Zinke
SQUARE FEET: 2100; 2100
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 28
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $65
BEST‐SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda, Pulp Riot
SKIN CARE: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: Aura
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA, Green Circle Salons
“After hearing great things about the new system Aura, we decided to make the switch. It aligns perfectly with what stylists and guests are looking for. We’re communicating with guests more through text to have a better reach than we used to with emails. Plus, to save time, checkout can be done in the chair on the app.”
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