2025 SALON TODAY 200: Employee Education

For the most successful service providers, education is a career-long process. The strongest salons and spas develop education systems that enhance the skills and confidence of their newest team members while encouraging and supporting the seasoned staff to continually stretch creatively.

[salon]718
Brooklyn, NY
salon718.com
Michaella Blissett Williams
SQUARE FEET: 850, 510, 891, 750, 900, 650
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 85
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $79
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Pureology, Olaplex, Mizani
COLOR: Goldwell, L’Oreal, Davines
SKINCARE: Hydrafacial  
TECH SUPPORT: Phorest, Mailchimp 
ASSOCIATIONS: ICA, PBA    
“All Monday and Tuesday education sessions are open to everyone, not just apprentices, and we hold monthly training sessions for specific techniques, trends, best practices and salon protocols. We encourage attendance and recognize participation by offering certification and responsibilities.”

ALL THINGS NEW SALON
Shelbyville, KY
allthingsnewsalon.com
Travis and Shanna Hernandez
SQUARE FEET: 2100     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 10
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $74
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Eufora
COLOR: Eufora
SKINCARE: Clique Beauty  
TECH SUPPORT: Meevo
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA    
“New hires begin with a simple digital onboarding course before they come into the salon. This outlines our Core Values, Vision, Mission and Why on a video. Once in the salon, they are taught Relaxing Rituals right away so they can build confidence quickly with guests.”

ALLURE BEAUTY BAR
Grand Junction, CO
beautybarallure.com
Bobbi Springer
SQUARE FEET: 2400     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 20
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $46
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: R+co R+Co Bleu, Surface
COLOR: R+Co, Redken 
SKINCARE: Eminence  
TECH SUPPORT: Phorest, Vish, Mya, Glammatic
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA 
“Giving new team members a clear path to success has increased our employee retention and reduced cash flow on training programs because we ensure that from the start, they have goals and a game plan to bring in enough revenue to cover costs while they are starting off.”

CHANGES SALON, INC.
Chagrin Falls, OH
changessaloninc.com
Wendy Haverlack
SQUARE FEET: 2720     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 10
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $94
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Pureology, Redken 
COLOR: Redken 
SKINCARE: Mirabella Beauty 
NAIL CARE: DND, OPI, CND
TECH SUPPORT: Phorest, Mya, Tippy 
“New stylists entering our associate program follow a structured ‘earn while you learn’ system, as they are introduced to the floor within the first two weeks. Using Connecteam, they complete courses that include watching videos and submitting work for evaluation. They spend time with mentors, assist with guests and gradually transition to behind the chair.”

CUTTING LOOSE SALON
University Park, FL
cuttingloosesalon.com
Coral Pleas & Travis Scheuer
SQUARE FEET: 5400 2800    
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 60
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $75
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Oribe, Bumble and bumble, Goldwell
COLOR: Goldwell  
TECH SUPPORT: Phorest, Vish  
ASSOCIATIONS: ICA, PBA, 2 to 10 
“Protégés now have the opportunity to graduate in as little as six months if they complete their homework and test out on all services. While it may still take some 12 to 18 months to graduate, this accelerated option has attracted highly motivated students who are eager to fast-track their careers.”

GENESIS SALON AND SPA
Mobile, AL
GenesisSalonandSpa.com
DeAnna Clifton and Sarah Poiroux
SQUARE FEET: 6500     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 45
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $52
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Redken, Kerastase, Pureology
COLOR: Redken, Pulp Riot, L’Oreal 
SKINCARE: Riman, Skin Script, Alexandria Professional
TECH SUPPORT: Boulevard 
ASSOCIATIONS: Summit Salon Business Center
“Our community events like Daddy/Daugther Day, Free Cuts for Men and Kids Day and back-to-school kids days benefit our newer stylists as they gain hands-on experience with styling and interacting with guests. Some of these allow us to bless others while giving our stylists real-world practice.”

JAMISON SHAW HAIRDRESSERS
Atlanta, GA
jamisonshaw.com
Candy Shaw
SQUARE FEET: 5000     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 40
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $55
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Sunlights, Wella. Olaplex
COLOR: Sunlights, Wella 
TECH SUPPORT: Meevo, Google Ads
ASSOCIATIONS: Cosmetologists Chicago, ICA, PBA, Society of Cosmetic Chemists, IBA
“Based on a recent successful salon test, we plan to incorporate Silent Disco technology into our training program. This will create a library of recorded educational materials that don’t cut into senior stylists' revenue-producing time in order to teach classes, and classes will be available 24/7 to any size audience.”

JANET ST. PAUL STUDIO FOR HAIR & BEAUTY
Austin, TX
janetstpaul.com
Janet St. Paul
SQUARE FEET: 2626     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 10
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $120
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: L'Oreal, Phyto, Milbon
COLOR: L'Oreal, Redken 
TECH SUPPORT: Rosy, Salon Ninja, Tippy, Vish
ASSOCIATIONS: ICA, ISBN, PBA    
“Our education extends beyond initial training, as we prioritize continuous learning for all team members. We hold bi-monthly training sessions that focus on various aspects of hair care, styling techniques and client service, supplemented by a guest educator workshop every other month.”

JMAC HAIR STUDIO & MEDISPA
Powell, OH
jmachairstudio.com
Joanie McQuade
SQUARE FEET: 3600     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 25
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $45
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Kevin.Murphy, Unite, K-18
COLOR: Kevin.Murphy, Well,a Igora
SKINCARE: Skincueticals, Hydrafacial, Colorescince
NAIL CARE: Luxa, Zoya, Apres
TECH SUPPORT: Meevo, Emma  
“In 2023, our team requested advanced training for hair extensions. We partnered with Easihair Pro, and the investment was $899 per participant with 11 attending. Each team member paid $300 toward the class, the remaining balance was paid by the salon but in the end we were reimbursed 100%. We did a model call for the class, and offered models heavy discounts, but many wanted to add more hair. We sold over $3500 during the class.”

KENNETH'S SALONS AND SPAS
Columbus, OH
kenneths.com
Representative - Tony Anders (We are 100% Employee-Owned)
SQUARE FEET: 8300, 9700, 17700, 5500, 5000, 3200
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 340
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $57
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: private label, Redken, Kenra
COLOR: Redken, Pulp Riot 
SKINCARE: Derma Md, Hydropeptide, Circadia
NAIL CARE: Foot Logix, Morgan Taylor, Gelish
TECH SUPPORT: proprietary 
“The final phase of our training program focuses on our core value of community. We basically have a fully functional salon within our Academy. At this level they are now booked by our phone center, and they learn how to manage their business and monetize their craft. We coach to retail, retention, social presence, pre-booking, treatments and upselling.”

LUSCIOUS & CO
Shelton, CT
lusciousandco.com
Liz and Jess Arrindell
SQUARE FEET: 4000, 1700    
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 23
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $80
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Kevin.Murphy, Eleven Australia, Great Lengths
COLOR: Kevin.Murphy, Eleven Australia 
TECH SUPPORT: Vagaro, Vish, Mya, Tippy
ASSOCIATIONS: 2 to 10   
“The final phase of our Gold Standard Academy includes workshops that close the learning gap for new professionals in the beauty industry. Workshops include financial literacy and understanding your compensation and benefits; key metrics that enhance understanding on gratuity; and social media and AI
practices that help them create a social funnel that’s easy to manage.”

NURTUR SALON + SPA
Columbus, OH
nurtursalon.com
Patrick Thompson
SQUARE FEET: 4000     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 41
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $55
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda  
COLOR: Aveda  
SKINCARE: Aveda, Ultraceuticals 
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Beekeeper, Unfocus, Vish
ASSOCIATIONS:  ISBN      
“Apart from our apprentice program, Nurtur offers continuing education for every team member. Thanks to the help of our Aveda Purefessional, Bryan Foss, we have a strong leader and educator based in the salon. With his extensive knowledge in both cut and color, we can offer scheduled education classes, as well as pop-up education sessions, allowing us to respond more quickly to team education requests.”

PENZONE SALONS + SPAS
Columbus, OH
penzonesalons.com
Charles + Debbie Penzone
SQUARE FEET: 13000, 7900, 12000, 1100, 3000, 763
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 403
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $59
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Davines, Color Wow, L'Anza
COLOR: Schwarzkopf, Davines, Evo
SKINCARE: Eminence, Jan Marini, Dr. Dennis Gross
NAIL CARE: OPI, Mazz Hanna, Footlogix
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Salonclouds+ 
ASSOCIATIONS:  ICA, ISBN, PBA    
“This year, we piloted an internship program. Eligible students at participating schools have the opportunity to observe and learn with our experienced Hair Artist Mentors in one of our salons or spas. This program is a great first step to a successful career at PENZONE and has allowed us to showcase what we can offer students before they even graduate.”

REVIVE DAY SPA
Aberdeen, SD
reviver3.com
Fallon Helm
SQUARE FEET: 4650     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 18
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $55
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: L’Anza, Pureology, Surface
COLOR: L’Anza  
SKINCARE: Lexl,i Bare Minerals 
NAIL CARE: CND, Gelx, OPI
TECH SUPPORT: Meevo,  Salonclouds+, Vish 
“Through scripting, systems, processes and procedures, we educate the team on retailing through social media, direct marketing, merchandising and cross-promoting services, between departments, as well as with other businesses in our local market. This has led us to become the local beauty store experts for educating, trying, buying and retaining guests.”

VERDE SALON
Winnipeg, MB
verdesalon.ca
Roberto Sinopoli
SQUARE FEET: 2300, 2100    
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 31
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $63
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda 
COLOR: Aveda 
SKINCARE: Aveda 
TECH SUPPORT: Zenoti, Mya, Vish, G-suite
ASSOCIATIONS: ICA, 2 to 10, Green Circle
“In 2024 alone, we celebrated 26 stylist promotions, which contributed to our overall success. When a new stylist steps into our salon, we commit to their success. We focus on three key areas—training new hires, ongoing education for all employees and bringing in external artists to share their knowledge.”