With a background in journalism, Assistant Manager Grace Fowler has a natural ability to connect with others and anticipate the needs of both clients and team members.
Janet St. Paul Studio
Salon Today’s Meet the Manager series celebrates and highlights the managers, team leads, and directors in the industry who work to maintain the vision and goals of salons, barbershops, and spas. In today's profile, meet Grace Fowler, assistant manager of Janet St. Paul Studio for Hair & Beauty in Austin, Texas. With a background in journalism, Fowler brings her skill for connecting with others to the forefront, playing a key role in the salon's ongoing growth.
The Manager: Grace Fowler
Nominated By: Janet St. Paul, Owner of Janet St. Paul Studio for Hair & Beauty
Date of Hire: February 2025
Salon Today: What personality characteristics does Fowler have that make her a good manager?
St. Paul: Grace is calm, clear, and very kind, so she isn't shaken by much. She anticipates the team and clients' needs with grace. She brings joy to the staff and to the front of the salon, and always ensures that clients feel welcomed with love.
ST: What are the three most important tasks Fowler takes on at the salon?
St. Paul: Grace takes on being the liaison between the stylist, clients, and leadership team while also supporting the business with inventory budgeting, managing the appointment book, and overseeing the check-in/checkout experience.
ST: How is Fowler held accountable for the business's performance?
St. Paul: Fowler is held accountable through three key metrics: client wins, staff wins, and business wins. Everyone has goals, rebooks, new clients, service, and retail. Grace tracks these so we can stay on course and make adjustments in real-time.
ST: How often do you meet with Fowler, and what do you go over?
St. Paul: We meet multiple times a week to review the schedule, service, team updates, and client satisfaction check-ins. When we meet, we also go over Grace's professional development.
ST: Does Fowler also perform services on clients?
St. Paul: No
ST: What type(s) of continuing education do you offer Fowler?
St. Paul: We have monthly performance development meetings, leadership summit training where we dive into communication, time management, and high-performance habits. She is also in leadership meetings for marketing and planning, and mentored by the owner and the director of operations to grow her future within the company.
ST: How has she helped grow the business?
St. Paul: Grace has brought consistency, love, and light to the client experience. She has been amazing at streamlining the front desk operation, and her enthusiasm for learning has lifted the entire team! Her reliability gives me peace of mind, allowing me to focus on executive-level growth and creativity.
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About the Author: Mya Shepard, a Chicago-based communications graduate with a multimedia journalism background, draws inspiration for her beauty writing from her time as a salon manager at Salon Lorrene in Palatine, IL. Known on social media as Mya Ame'rie, she shares her perspective on community, beauty and culture.