Charisma Inner Beauty—Outward

Wichita, KS

charismainnerbeauty.com

Bob and Robin Wolfe

SQUARE FEET: 5.000/2.800 (two locations)

TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 32

AVERAGE STYLIST INCOME; $40,000-$49.000

CREATIVE BENEFIT: $200 annual equipment allowance

AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $39

BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINE: Aveda

COLOR LINE. Aveda

SALON SOFTWARE: Mikal

 “We’re lucky to have very loyal employees. We work on being flexible and supportive with our staff and have very low turnover. When we celebrated our 20th year in business last year, we recognized four employees who have been with us the entire time. We even have employees who have left and come back.”

Habitude Salons and Spa

Seattle, WA

habitude.com

Inez Gray

SQUARE FEET: 8,000/1,500 (two locations)

TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 98

AVERAGE STYLIST INCOME: $40,000-$49,000

CREATIVE BENEFIT Quarterly Congress educational event

AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $125

BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINES: Aveda, Bumble and bumble

COLOR LINE: Aveda

SALON SOFTWARE: Salon Biz

ASSOCIATION: PBA

“Our service providers are double shifted on six-hour blocks which allow them to have a full life outside of work. We have a large staff of mothers who are off by 3 p.m. to pick up their kids. Likewise, a big evening crew of younger night owls are able to go to school in the mornings or dance the night away because they don’t start work until 3 p.m.”

Jolie Salon and Day Spa

Blue Bell, PA

joliespa.com

Peter s. Lee

SQUARE FEET: 6,000

TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 70

AVERAGE STYLIST INCOME: $70,000-$79,000

CREATIVE BENEFIT: Pizza Saturdays

AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $62

BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINES: Enjoy, L’Oréal, Profound

COLOR LINES: Alfa Part, Wella, Redken

SALON SOFTWARE: Milano

“Technicians and staff elect an Advisory Board member from each department. Prior to each board meeting, the members meet with the employees in their department to speak candidly about any concerns, ideas or suggestions. This has been a successful tool in minimizing complaints and gossip.”

Lasting Impression Hair Design

Crystal Lake, IL

lastingimpressionhairdesign.com

Mary Walker

SQUARE FEET: 1,100

TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 9

AVERAGE STYLIST INCOME: $40,000-$49,000

CREATIVE BENEFIT: Potential loans with paycheck deductions

AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $40

BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINES: Aveda, Private Label

COLOR LINES: Goldwell, Matrix

SALON SOFTWARE: Harms/Millennium

ASSOCIATIONS: Cosmetologists Chicago, MCA, PBA, International Hair Color Exchange

“We have a yearly Savings Club where each team member commits to a dollar amount to put in the club and then on December 1, we give them back their savings club check.”

Rejuvenation Spa

Madison, WI

rejuvenationspa.net

Tina Morschauser and Gretchen Brown

SQUARE FEET: 3,550

TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 33

AVERAGE STYLIST INCOME: $30,000-$39,000

CREATIVE BENEFIT: Quarterly wellness days for perfect attendance

AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $43

BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINE Aveda

COLOR LINE: Aveda

SALON SOFTWARE: SalonBiz

ASSOCIATIONS: I/SPA, PBA

“Rejuvenation Spa is a Global Salon Business Award winner and recently won Madison Magazine’s ‘Best Place to Work.’ We are a team-based pay salon that provides open-book management where the P&L statement is posted for all to see. We pay out bonuses if and when monthly sales goals are met and we make a profit.”

What makes a salon a fabulous place to work? A team-based environment, competitive salary, attractive benefits and a structure that offers a clear career path. The following ST200 honorees not only had to prove they offered employees an attractive all-around package, but they also had to provide an employee testimonial.

Salonamour

Walnut Creek, CA

salonamouronline.com

Michael and Susan Falcon

SQUARE FEET: 1,200

TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 15

AVERAGE STYLIST INCOME: $50,000-$59,000

CREATIVE BENEFIT: Gym memberships

AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $70

BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINE: Aveda

COLOR LINE: Aveda

SALON SOFTWARE: STX

ASSOCIATION: NCA, PBA, YBN

 “Our joy and purpose for our employees is for them to attain and accomplish their own personal goals. We are known for listening to our staff just as they listen to their guests. Our employees are our greatest asset and we genuinely care for them. We believe people are attracted to our business because we sincerely care about them and their growth.”

Splash Hair Studio

Conshohocken, PA

splashhairstuido.com

Elaine Travis

SQUARE FEET: 1,200

TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 10

AVERAGE STYLIST INCOME: $50,000-$59,000

CREATIVE BENEFIT: Annual spa day at Ritz Carlton

AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $60

BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINES: Pureology, Enjoy, Icon

COLOR LINES: Wella, Alfa Parf, Eugene Perma

SALON SOFTWARE: Leprechaun

ASSOCIATION: S.O.S.

 “Our organized training program creates a clear career path. Stylists track their requests, retention, retail and referrals and are given goals that when reached allows them to move up levels with an increase in price as well as commission. There are seven growth levels, but that’s not the end. The next step is the offer of buying. The next step is the offer of buying stock in the company and joining the leadership team.”

 Twin Image Salon Spa

Iowa City, IA

twinimage.com

Doug and Laura Warner

SQUARE FEET: 4,700

TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 30

AVERAGE STYLIST INCOME: $40,000-$49,000

CREATIVE BENEFIT: frequent employee surprises

AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $40

BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINE: Aveda

COLOR LINE: Aveda

SALON SOFTWARE: Salon Pro

 “We like to give our employees fun surprises throughout the year. We bring in breakfast or lunch on busy days. On the birth of a new baby by a staff member, we decorate a window at the front of the salon with the baby’s vitals. We have a fantastic holiday party and a summer lake retreat. It’s all about the simple everyday gestures like a ride to work on a snowy day.”

Tyler Mason Salon Spa

Indianapolis, IN

tylermason.com

Tammie Baker

SQUARE FEET: 5,000

TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 35

AVERAGE STYLIST INCOME: $30,000-$39,000

CREATIVE BENEFIT: $30 monthly salon/spa credit

AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $35

BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINES: Davines, Brocato, Benniefactor

COLOR LINES: Kadus, Davines

SALON SOFTWARE: Salon Biz

ASSOCIATION: Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce 

“One of the main reasons we attract top candidates to our salon is because we offer full benefits, which include health, disability, life insurance, 401(k), advanced continuing education, paid apprenticeship program, affiliation with the Indianapolis Colts and a tiered pricing structure that allows for growth.” 

Vito Mazza Salon and Spa

Woodbridge, NJ

vitomazza.com

Vito Mazza and Vito Mazza Jr.

SQUARE FEET: 8,500

TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 80

AVERAGE STYLIST INCOME: $70,000-$79,000

CREATIVE BENEFIT: Annual ‘Employee Thank You’ party

AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $45

BEST-SELLING RETIAL LINES: Scruples, Therapro, Tahe

COLOR LINE: Scruples

SALON SOFTWARE: Mikal

ASSOCIATION: Day Spa Association, Intercoiffure

“We know that if employees are having financial troubles outside the salon, it will be difficult to check them at the front door. We help by offering reduced rates at the local gym, reduced auto rates through a membership insurance group, as well as financial, mortgage and legal assistance.”

“One of the reasons Jolie is a great place to work is encouragement. Encouragement to grow, encouragement to learn, encouragement to have the flexibility to live, encouragement to have a voice, encouragement to have the ability to specialize in your craft.”

—Bianca Raudenbush,

Stylist and Senior Artistic Director

Jolie Salon and Day Spa

Additional Honorees

Aveda Academy Denver, Pure Talent Salons, Denver, CO

Bella Capelli Sanctuario, Westlake, OH

Bijin Salon and Spa, Prairie Village, KS

Blo, Raleigh, NC

Fusion 3 Salon, Pleasanton, CA

Ginger Bay Salon and Spa, St. Louis, MO

Jade Aveda Salon, Greensboro, NC

Paris Parker, Hammond, LA

Mango Salon, Richmond, VA

Mauricio Fregoso Salon, Tucson, AZ

Neroli Salon and Spa, Glendale, WI

Rituals Salon-Spa, Midlothian, VA

Samuel Cole Salon, Raleigh, NC

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, Click here.