Some salons and spas lead with their hearts--searching their communities for causes where their talent, time and money make the most positive change. At the same time, they know the goodwill generated and the connections forged can help grow their own businesses.
Aveda Institute Denver
Denver, CO
avedainstitutedenver.com
Dale Le Monds
SQUARE FEET: 27,000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 50
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $18
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda, Ergo
COLOR: Aveda
SKIN CARE: Aveda
NAIL CARE: OPI, Deborah Lippman
TECH SUPPORT: SpaBiz, ZeeZor,
Demandforce, WebOpenings, ASSOCIATIONS: PBA, AACS
“For eight years, we’ve hosted a St. Baldrick’s event to raise funds for childhood cancer research by shaving our heads. Every year more of our team members and students raise funds by shaving their own heads. This year was our most successful with more than $20,000 raised.”
The B Hive Organic Salon
Hillsdale, NJ
thebhivesalon.com
Frank Flores, Angela and James Alba
SQUARE FEET: 1,700
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 8
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $75
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Davines
COLOR: Organic Colour Systems, Davines
SKIN CARE: Comfort Zone
NAIL CARE: Karma Organic
TECH SUPPORT: Millennium, Ghost It, Meet Edgar, ZeeZor
ASSOCIATION: PBA, Green Circle
“Our Wine and Spirits event supports a fantastic charity called Justice and Soul based in Cambodia that aims to take young men and women out of the trafficking trade and train them in hairdressing. Their work helps rebuild the mind, spirit and soul.”
Centre Salon & Spa, Arvada
Arvada, CO
centresalon.com
James F. Pacifico
SQUARE FEET: 3,600
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 26
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $37
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKIN CARE: Aveda
NAIL CARE: Jessica, OPI
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, ZeeZor,
Demandforce, WebOpenings
“Prior to our breast cancer awareness fashion show, the owner of a local modeling agency was so excited about the event that they donated an evening workshop on how to walk the runway for the models themselves. One model actually cried at the end and expressed she had never felt so confident—not just on her journey through cancer, but as a woman.”
Habitude
Salons and Spa
Seattle, WA
habitude.com
Inez Gray
SQUARE FEET: 8,000; 1,200; 1,000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 75
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $50
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda, Bumble and Bumble
COLOR: Aveda
SKIN CARE: Aveda
NAIL CARE: SpaRitual, Essie
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Demandforce, FetchRev
ASSOCIATION: PBA
“One of Habitude’s most recognized community contributions is the creation of the Ballard Art Walk more than 20 years ago that has grown into a showcase of 40-plus businesses and attracts 500-700 art patrons a month.”
Ihloff Salon and Day Spa
Tulsa, OK
ihloffspa.com
Marilyn Ihloff
SQUARE FEET: 6,000; 4,000; 2,400; 1,500
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 146
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $50
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKIN CARE: Aveda
NAIL CARE: SpaRitual, CND
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Demandforce, ZeeZor
ASSOCIATIONS: Intercoiffure, PBA, 2 to 10
“We try to support any cause that benefits the local economy, small businesses, green initiatives and sustainability. Through these events, our team has realized the difference we can make in someone’s life and in our community.”
Ira Ludwick Salon
Bethesda, MD
iraludwicksalon.com
Ira Ludwick
SQUARE FEET: 2,800
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 16
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $89
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Oribe, Kevin Murphy, Davines
COLOR: Artego, Goldwell, Redken
SKIN CARE: Exuviance
NAIL CARE: Smith & Cult
TECH SUPPORT: STX ASSOCIATIONS: Intercoiffure, PBA
“Our greatest point of distinction and pride in giving back is the raising funds for the Oncology Patient Navigator Program at Suburban Hospital. This initiative provides a nurse navigator to help understand and assist each newly diagnosed cancer patient free of charge.”
S Salon and Studio
Fairbanks, AK
ssalonandstudio.com
Scott Allison
SQUARE FEET: 2,000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 10
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $55
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Goldwell, KMS, DevaCurl
COLOR: Goldwell, Redken,
Pulp Riot
SKIN CARE: Hempz
TECH SUPPORT: Millennium, Demandforce, WebOpenings
ASSOCIATION: PBA
“We created our own nonprofit called Project Fairbanks that aims to raise awareness on significant topics, such as cancer, art, recycling etc. Project Fairbanks was granted money from the city to buy a 16-foot trailer used to transport recycled goods and educate the community on the value of recycling.”
Sky Salon
Strongsville, OH
skysalon.com
Damon Jaskolka
SQUARE FEET: 2,100
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 17
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $50
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Kevin Murphy, Aquage
COLOR: Matrix, Kevin Murphy, Joico
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Demandforce, SpaBoom
ASSOCIATION: PBA
“We’ve always thought about what we could do to have an impact that would go beyond a one-time fundraiser. Our Donate Your Soles campaign collects shoes for those in poverty and helps create a small business in repairing and selling shoes so that they could create an income for themselves and become independent.”
Studio Eleven
Maryville, IL
studioeleven.biz
Denise Gualdoni
SQUARE FEET: 3,300
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 19
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $50
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Eufora
COLOR: Eufora
SKIN CARE: Jane Iredale
TECH SUPPORT: Millennium, Demandforce, ZeeZor
ASSOCIATION: PBA
“During the holiday season, the local school district assigns us several children who come from financially struggling families. Our Studio Eleven team then shops for them, wraps, and delivers gifts, so they can have a blessed holiday.”
Taj Salon & Spa
Brooklyn Park, MN
tajsalonspa.com
Jeanne Strandin
and Andria Strandin
SQUARE FEET: 5,000; 3,000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 48
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $51
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda, Pureology, Unite
COLOR: Aveda
SKIN CARE: Eminence, Dermalogica
NAIL CARE: OPI, CND, Gelish
TECH SUPPORT: Millennium, Salon Iris, Demandforce, ZeeZor
ASSOCIATION: BNI Neighborhood Association
“A few months ago, we participated in making meals for Feed My Starving Children. One employee was so moved that the next month, she brought her children to help pack meals to show them the importance of giving back.”
Additional Honorees
Blo, Raleigh, NC
Elements of Style Salon & Day Spa, Eldersburg, MD
Ginger Bay Salon & Spa, Kirkwood, MO
Impressions, Mequon, WI
J. Nicolle Salon & Spa, New Albany, IN
Jamison Shaw Hairdressers, Atlanta, GA
Josephines Day Spa and Salon, Houston, TX
Lavish Color Salon, Cleveland, OH
Logan 14 Aveda Lifestyle Salon/Spa, Washington DC
Mane Attraction Salon, Phoenix, AZ
Neatbeat, Louisville, KY
Nuovo Salon Group, Sarasota, FL
Omagi Salon & Spa, Louisville, KY
Paris Parker Salons & Spas, Hammond, LA
Progressions Salon Spa Store, Rockville, MD
Salon Allure Inc., Huntsville, AL
Salon Nuuvo, Calabasas, CA
Square One Salon & Spa, Dayton, OH
Tangerine Salon and Spa, Murfreesboro, TN
Xanadu Hair Salon, Chesapeake
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