Green-conscious salons and spas make strategic decisions that not only better the world around them, but strengthen and grow their own businesses. We invited applicants in this category to state their best case to a local environmental action group, outlining all their green practices. Bonus points were awarded to salons that took the extra step to help educate staff, clients and the community about sustainable choices.
Aveda Fredric's Institute
West Chester, OH
avedafi.edu
Frederic and Julie Holzberger
SQUARE FEET: 28,000, 16,000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 45
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $16
BEST SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: Millennium, Demandforce
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA, NCA
“The planning and design process for the new Institute centered fully on environmentalism—maximizing space, an innovative floor plan, inspiring students and providing the ultimate guest experience in a ‘green’ learning environment.”
Aveda Institute Denver
Denver, CO
avedainstitutedenver.com
Dale Lemonds
SQUARE FEET: 19,000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 50
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $15
BEST SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: SpaBiz, Demandforce, Constant Contact, Telesphere
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA, NCA, NAACAS, AACS
“Cork flooring is an innovative and economical alternative to traditional flooring products. Initially harvested from the bark of a cork oak tree, the tree still flourishes after the product have been removed, making it a renewable resource.”
Aveda Institute Tucson
Tucson, AZ
avedainstitutetucson.com
Dale Lemonds
SQUARE FEET: 4,000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 20
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $15
BEST SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: SpaBiz, Demandforce, Constant Contact, Telesphere
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA, NCA, NAACAS, AACS
“We strive to inspire greatness and lead by example not only as a beauty school, salon and spa, but also across industries as a local business. Our environmental efforts are exemplified in the green design of our facilities, as well as our environmental practices.”
Aveda Institute New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM
avedanm.com
Mark Gonzales
SQUARE FEET: 13000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 28
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $14
BEST SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Demandforce
INTERNET MARKETING SYSTEMS: DemandForce
“We reward team members and future professionals who choose to ride city transportations to school and work. Awards are also extended to those who ride their bike to school and work. The reward comes in the form of complimentary services and/or free bus passes.”
Gordon Salon
Highland Park, IL
gordonsalon.com
Anthony and Pamela Gordon
SQUARE FEET: 1950, 1950, 4500
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 50
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $55
BEST SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: Millennium, Demandforce
ASSOCIATIONS: Cosmetologists Chicago, Intercoiffure, NCA, PBA
“We take pride in our adherence to Aveda’s social and environmental responsibility to care for the world in which we live. To enforce our commitment to sustainability, each member of our team is taught a number of sustainable practices from the reuse of latex gloves to using natural cleaning products.”
Jonathan Kane Salon & Spa
Flossmoor, IL
jonathankanesalonspa.com
Larry and Kathy Kane
SQUARE FEET: 2700
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 22
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $46
BEST SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: Millennium, Demandforce, iZigg
ASSOCIATIONS: Cosmetologists Chicago, ISBN, PBA
“We created our community’s first Green Fair. More than 150 people attended the show where 70 students and artists demonstrated art, projects and products all with a green theme, and we raised $600 that evening for the Alliance for the Great Lakes.”
N Style Salon
Saugus, CA
nstylesalon.com
Clay and Tiffany Friedman
SQUARE FEET: 200
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 23
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $50
BEST SELLING RETAIL: L'Oreal, Kenra, Ergo
COLOR: L'Oreal
TECH SUPPORT: STX
ASSOCIATIONS: Intercoiffure, PBA, Strictly Business
“Dye is never dumped down the drain. Rather, it is collected in a designated color disposal bin before color bowls are washed. An instant hot water delivery system to all sinks and shampoo bowls allows the salon to conserve thousands of gallons of water per year.”
NVS Salon & Spa
Bel Air, MD
nvssalon.com
Tammy Ehrbaker & Stathis Kotanidis
SQUARE FEET: 900
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 10
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $45, $85
BEST SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Wella, Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: Millenium, Demandforce
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA
“Our mission is to care for the world s we live I, from the products we use to the ways in which we give back to our society. We take great strides in maintaining an environmentally and socially responsible salon while having a small carbon footprint.”
Salon Nouveau
South Bend, IN
salonnouveau.com
Cheryl (Cheri) Copelin
SQUARE FEET: 3000, 1800
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 45
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $41
BEST SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Demandforce
ASSOCIATIONS: The Day Spa Association, NCA, PBA
“When we built our second location, we used a LEEDS-certified architect, taking advantage of every environmentally sound material and fixture that would accommodate our needs.
The Circle Salon
Chicago, IL
thecirclesalon.com
Jamie Bushman
SQUARE FEET: 1200
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 10
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $70
BEST SELLING RETAIL: Davines, Eufora
COLOR: Davines
TECH SUPPORT: Millenium, Mailchimp
ASSOCIATIONS: ABN, CC
“As a team, we’ve used old magazines to create interesting sculptures and a wall for inspiration, constructed a life-sized cardboard tree of the materials left over from the retail displays, and created a shelving unit made from our old shoe boxes.”
Additional Honorees
Avalon Salon and Day Spa, Deer Park, IL
Ihloff Salon and Day Spa, Tulsa, OK
Impressions, Mequon, WI
Inspire Salon, Weldon Spring, MO
Josephine’s Day Spa and Salon, Houston, TX
Nuovo Salon Group, Sarasota, FL
Nurtur the Salon and Spa, Columbus, OH
Omagi Salon & Spa Group, Louisville, KY
On the Green Salon and Day Spa, Saint Marys, GA
Paris Parker Salons & Spas, Hammond, LA
Pyara Spa and Salon, Burlington
Salon Soca, Chicago, IL
The Black Cat Salon & Spa, Kailua, HI
For reprint and licensing requests for this article, Click here.