Newness—whether that comes in a trendy new service category or an inspired product line—spurs growth, but so can a new management practice. These salons shared the new factors they’ve added to their beauty-based business, as well as how these actions grew sales.
The team from Allure Designs in Beauty in Libertyville, Illinois.
ALLURE DESIGNS IN BEAUTY
Libertyville, IL
alluredesigns.net
Shelly Malizola
SQUARE FEET: 3150
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 15
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $75
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda, Oribe, Oway
COLOR: Aveda, Goldwell, Pulp Riot
SKINCARE: Glo, Aveda, Circadia
TECH SUPPORT: Phorest, Vish, Bonusly
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA, Green Circle
“We brought in a new eco-friendly product line, which offered a refill option for shampoos and conditioners. Clients bring in their own reusable bottles to be refilled. This reduces our inventory on the shelves and frees up cash. Clients can’t purchase a refill online and it brings them back into the salon to shop. We offer mini glass bottles to be purchased and refilled for travel.”
BELLA LAGO SALON AND MEDSPA
Cornelius, NC
bellalagosalon.com
Erica Merrisa Barnhardt
SQUARE FEET: 7000, 1200
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 30
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $55
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Kerastase, Aveda, Oribe
COLOR: Aveda
SKINCARE: Zo Skin Health, Eminence
“We opened a medspa in June 2024 and started doing injections. I hired an attorney who helped me bring on a medical director on board, and I hired a registered nurse. My initial investment was around $30K, and in five months we brought in $61K, with the salon making about $5K in profit per month. Every day we look at injectable brands’ websites to see which guests in our area have points and we reach out to let them know they can use those at Bella Lago, targeting guests who have never been in the salon.”
The team from Cloud 9 Salon and Spa in Bartonville, Texas.
CLOUD 9 SALON AND SPA
Bartonville, TX
cloud9salon.com
Kim Cloud
SQUARE FEET: 9500
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 11
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $60
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: private label, Kevin.Murphy
COLOR: L’Anza, Joico, Redken
SKINCARE: Spa Tech, Private Label
NAIL CARE: Builder Gel, OPI, CND
TECH SUPPORT: Meevo
“Last year we had a client who became ill and suffered major hair loss. In looking for something she could wear that wasn’t a full wig, we found Top Secret Hairaccessory. Since, we’ve had four pop-up events inviting our clients to experience a topper. Each of these events made over $20,000 ($10,000 in profit) for the salon. Now we have a heavy presence on TikTok with daily videos that discuss toppers and products that help with hair loss.”
The team from Cynergy Color Bar in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
CYNERGY COLOR BAR
Wake Forest, NC
cynergycolorbar.com
Cynthia Perry
SQUARE FEET: 1300
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 14
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $64
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Davines, Goldwell, Virtue
COLOR: Goldwell, Redken, Pulp Riot
TECH SUPPORT: Phorest, Vish, Tipp,y Trello
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA, Green Circle
“We hosted a Perfecting Curly class which allowed us to add a curly cut option with longer service times and higher prices per level because of barrel curling on the brush, then lamp drying them. The price difference is $65-$135 for 1.5 hours versus regular haircuts that range from $45-$90 an hour. The math works because the last 30 minutes is under the lamp and stylists can take another client.”
Ame and Dennis MEtcalfe, owners of D'Amertri's Aveda in Broomfield, Colorado.
D’AMETRI’S AVEDA
Broomfield, CO
dametris.biz
Ame and Dennis Metcalfe
SQUARE FEET: 1378
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 3
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $73
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda, private label
COLOR: Aveda, private label
TECH SUPPORT: Salo Biz
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA
“We implemented a state-accredited apprentice program to create future growth. By becoming a sponsoring salon for apprentices, we’ve created a model that allows us to train new talent in our specific techniques and culture while generating revenue and ensuring a pipeline of skilled stylists.”
GARBO A SALON & SPA
Austin, TX
garboasalon.com
Marsha Power
SQUARE FEET: 2400, 1600
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 26
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $74
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKINCARE: Aveda, Skin Ceuticals
NAIL CARE: OPI
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Vish, Mya
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA, 2 to 10 Network, Compass Club
“Our client information intake was not being consistently gathered so we empowered our front line to come up with a solution they could manage. The daily tracker form gives everyone who views it a clear picture of what needs to be updated, like formulas, Meet Your Stylist matches, Google Reviews, Aveda+ Rewards redemptions etc. Within six months, our email list has grown by 25%, the amount of reward points issued increased 247% and our South location saw a 62$ increase in retail sales.”
Reading all about it, the team from Graeber & Company in Boise, Idaho.
GRAEBER & COMPANY
Boise, ID
graeberandcompany.com
Shelby Bills
SQUARE FEET: 4600
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 30
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $65
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda, Oribe, Epicutis
COLOR: Aveda
SKINCARE: Aveda, Epicutis, Hydrafacial
TECH SUPPORT: Phorest, Mya, Vish
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA
“We launched our in-house ‘CEO of You’ coaching program focusing on our Level 1 & 2 stylist which has been instrumental in accelerating their career growth. We have personal development, technical skill development and stretch goals to drive guest retention along with increased service and retail revenue. All six in our pilot group increased their overall sales 17-22% earning level jump promotions.”
The team from Hi Texture Hair Salon in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
HI TEXTURE HAIR SALON
Lawrenceville, GA
hitexturehair.com
India Bertin
SQUARE FEET: 1500
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 9
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $162
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Mizani, Matrix, Influence
COLOR: Matrix, Redken
TECH SUPPORT: Phorest, Vish
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA
“In May I attended Inspiring Champions Cash Flow Camp which was a pivotal moment. Of all the strategies I learned, the one key system that had an almost immediate impact on our business was enhancing our consultation approach. Our new approach ensured that every client receives a thorough, structured consultation that touches every aspect of our hair care model. We launched in September and our revenue jumped more than 35% from the previous week.”
JONATHAN KANE SALON & SPA
Homewood, IL
jonathankanesalonspa.com
Larry Kane
SQUARE FEET: 2785
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 29
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $58
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKINCARE: Aveda, Lucrece
NAIL CARE: OPI, CND
TECH SUPPORT: Phorest, Vish
ASSOCIATIONS: Cosmetologists Chicago, ICA, PBA, Green Circle
“Vish is a color inventory, usage and tracking system, and we have used it to separate the cost of color and service. In this model, the client pays for the color used during their service and it is itemized and noncommissioned. In 2023, we collected $26,503 in Vish color revenue.”
Christina Kirkey, owner of Pinup Studio in Raleigh, North Carolina.
PINUP STUDIO
Raleigh, NC
pinupstudionc.com
Christina Kirkey
SQUARE FEET: 2500
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 18
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $75
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Amika, Design Me, Teleties
COLOR: Pulp Riot, Redken, Kenra
TECH SUPPORT: Aura, Mya, Tippy, Vish
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA
“We introduced our own hair extensions—PS Wefts—and expanded our education department to certify stylists both locally and beyond. We took control of quality, standardized pricing, and built on our strong local reputation. We have brought in an additional $32,855 in extension services since August, which is a 72% increase from Quarter 2. In addition, we anticipate our income from salon courses in 2025 to be more than $78,000.”
Nadia Duncan, owner of Posh Salon in Williamsburg, Virginia.
POSH SALON
Williamsburg, VA
poshsalonwbg.com
Nadia Duncan
SQUARE FEET: 3000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 30
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $54
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda, Oribe
COLOR: Aveda, Redken
SKINCARE: Ahohaw, Rebloom, Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Demandforce, Goto, Vish
“To leverage the trend of glass skin, we brought in premium Korean skincare product lines, choosing the highest-grade products available and added new spa service including a 10-Step Introductory Facial for K-beauty Beginners and results-driven facials featuring Korean skincare paired with technology such as ultrasound, LED, micro channeling and bio-spicules. We have quintupled our facial sales and nearly sextupled our skincare product sales.”
Laura Watkins, owner of Pure Salon Spa in Louisville, Kentucky.
PURE SALON SPA
Louisville, KY
puresalon-spa.com
Laura Watkins
SQUARE FEET: 1633
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 11
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $60
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKINCARE: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Mya, Tipp,y Vish
“We were selling a disappointing 14 hair treatments a month. We created protocols for four different treatment add-ons, created small product bundles that were included with a hair treatment, and did a ‘treasure box’ incentive for the team—when they sold ten treatments, they could pick a prize. In August, we sold 92 hair treatments, creating $2,300 in additional revenue, increase treatment sales by 600%.”
The team from Rituals Salon and Day Spa in Enterprise, Alabama.
RITUALS SALON AND DAY SPA
Enterprise, AL
ritualssalonandspa.com
Ginger Reagan Redd
SQUARE FEET: 3200, 4200
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 31
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $65
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKINCARE: Guinot, FarmHouse Fresh, Aveda
NAIL CARE: OPI, CND, Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: Phorest
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA
“We brought in some pivotal lines that have increased our sales drastically such as Tyler Candles, Farmhouse Fresh Skincare, Consuela Handbags, Cobblestone Living Italian clothing and several trendy apparel lines. In 2023, the revenue from these new lines totaled $70,990, and from January to October 2024, these new retail lines brought in $127,548.”
The team from Solaris Aveda in Evansville, Indiana.
SOLARIS AVEDA
Evansville, IN
solarisaveda.com
Amy Carter and Debbie Cadle Foster
SQUARE FEET: 2400
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 17
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $60
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda, Clean Remedies
COLOR: Aveda
SKINCARE: Aveda
NAIL CARE: Sparitual
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Vish, Listen 360, Reach Ai
“After many frustrating attempts at getting my team to take before and after photos, I bit the bullet and hired a videographer and someone internally to do fun, candid videos in and around the salon. One Sunday, the videographer interviewed each of my team members and we are weaving those videos into our social media to really show the personality of our salon and spa. All this fresh content not only attracts new clients, but also new hires.”
THE ARTISAN PARLOR
Temecula, CA
artisansalons.com
Lauren Lake
SQUARE FEET: 1400
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 0
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $115
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Eufora
COLOR: Alfaparf
TECH SUPPORT: Phorest, Salon Scale
“In addition to rental flexibility, we implemented a unique retail incentive program that allows stylists to sell direct to clients, earning a 25% profit on retail sales that they purchase from the salon at a discount to resale to guests at MSRP. With this system in place, sales now comprise 10 percent of salon revenue.”
Tammie Baker, owner of Tyler Mason Salon Spa in Indianapolis, Indiana.
TYLER MASON SALON SPA
Indianapolis, IN
tylermason.com
Tammie Baker
SQUARE FEET: 5000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 30
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $58
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Davines
COLOR: Davines
SKINCARE: Comfort Zone
NAIL CARE: OPI, FarmHouse Fresh
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Demandforce
“Our highly anticipated Sparty event offers our spa clientele the chance to experience our new fall and winter service in an intimate, interactive environment. This year’s event included 20% off services booked that day, buy-two-get-one-free on all products, 40% off last-chance items, a raffle, and special swag bags. The open house event allowed guests to ask technicians questions and observe live demos, like cupping, HydraFacials and hand massages with our seasonal hand scrub. By the end of the day, we scheduled 58 appointments and sold $4,000 in retail.”
