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SEARCHA summary of the Salons of the Year winners.
IN AN EFFORT TO ELEVATE THE WORLD OF BEAUTY AND SOLIDIFY CLIENT LOYALTY, THIS YEAR’S SALONS OF THE YEAR HONOREES DESIGN THE CLIENT EXPERIENCE RIGHT INTO THE DECOR.
A PLAYFUL IN-SALON PHOTO STUDIO that beckons clients to capture their new looks. Built-in experience centers that encourage retail interaction. Lather lounges that transform the shampoo into a relaxing encounter. Chairside appointment booking and checkout services reminiscent of an Apple Store. Color bars that invite clients into color chemistry, thereby boosting color productivity and profitability.
In a revealing new trend, this year’s SALONS OF THE YEAR not only constructed gorgeous, well-planned and productivity enhancing spaces, they designed salons and spas that wove the client experience right into the decor, thereby elevating customer service and infusing their businesses with a heightened degree of professionalism.
The Judging Process
The judging for SALONS OF THE YEAR takes place in three phases. First, the SALON TODAY team reviews and quali¬ties each of the entries, by examining application forms and photography. Next, a panel of editors and art directors evaluate each entry in further detail, selecting a group of finalists. Finally, the panel of expert judges scrutinize essays and evaluate seven to 10 images from each finalist, scoring them in seven different décor categories. Judge’s scores were combined and used to determine the grand-prize winner, the runners up and the Salons of Distinction.
AT FIRST GLANCE, the interior of Ginger Bay Salon and Spa in Town and Country, Missouri, simply reads gorgeous.
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WHEN SHIN AN MOVED to Chicago from her hometown in Wisconsin in 1993, she met architect and designer Suhail and was immediately inspired by his passion and creative vision.
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WHEN LISA WILLIAMS named her salon, she was inspired by the English tradition of “bespoke” tailoring, a term coined after a group of London tailors who created custom designs for each client.
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RHONDA AND ROD CAVNER admit they take a little secret pleasure in observing new clients as they come into Roca Salon and Spa.
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Salons of Distinction
Planning is in full swing for the most anticipated events and promotions for the 2026 holidays. As owners share their favorite ways to celebrate, they prove that a carefully planned event can also build culture, increase client loyalty, boost sales, and set a business up for a successful 2027.
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Everything you need to know about client retention as a salon owner.
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Sponsored by Zenoti
Stop chasing recruitment ghosts on generic job boards and start curating an elite team. Discover the framework that top-tier salons use to bypass phone tag, automate visual portfolio vetting, and attract high-earning, culture-first beauty professionals directly through real-time messaging. Turn your recruitment process into an exclusive brand invitation that keeps your highest-ticket chairs permanently filled.
Sponsored by Beautista
Your calendar looks full, but is all of that demand actually converting to revenue? From phantom rebookings to underpriced peak hours, the 2026 Benchmark Report exposes five revenue leaks that most beauty and wellness businesses don’t even know they have.
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After moving to Colorado and teaching at a cosmetology school, Allison Stock joined Zandi K as a stylist, eventually becoming part of the Leadership Team, Education Team and Master Bridal Team. Today, as Director of Operation, Stock is Owner Nicki Wenz's right hand, managing human resources and operations, education and career development, and coaching and culture.
In a world dominated by e-commerce, salon owners push back with proven strategies to increase retail sales while motivating team members to educate their clientele and delighting clients with retail-themed events and clever merchandising displays.
The company's Concealed Bead Method is raising the bar for what professional extension education can deliver.
Scott maximized her micro-salon by transitioning from stylist to strategic owner, focusing on recruiting and station-sharing. By prioritizing her ownership role over behind-the-chair work, she grew her team to six stylists within the two-chair, 150-square-foot space before eventually moving to a larger facility.
The former CFO of Perdue Farms and owner of Hardy Seafood, Terry Owens delivers a wealth of wisdom and strategies for entrepreneurs in his new book, "Business is Simple."
