Salon Today 200: TECHNOLOGY

Adevia Spa Salon

Forest Lake, MN

adeviaspa.com

Shari and Kirby Seil

SQUARE FEET: 4,300/3,800 (two locations)

TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 42

SALON SOFTWARE: Harms/Millennium

AUTOMATED SINCE: 1996

WEBSITE ESTABLISHED: 1999

AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: 343

BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINE: Aveda

COLOR LINE: Aveda

ASSOCIATION: PBA

“There would be no way to run our company without technology. Our software allows us online booking, e-mail confirmations, points and rewards systems, a referral tree and sophisticated client histories so we can have better customized conversations with our guests." 

Avant Salon Spa

Austin, TX

avantsalon.com

Roy and Connie Fredericks

SQUARE FEET: 5,000/2,000/1,600(three locations)

TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 60

SALON SOFTWARE: SalonBiz

AUTOMATED SINCE: 1983

WEBSITE ESTABLISHED: 1997

AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $60

BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINE: Aveda

COLOR LINE: Aveda

“We have a Google/apps page where all employees can access calendars, e-mail and salon documents. This leads to instant dear communication. From attendance to customer issues, everything is accessible online. With multiple locations within 150 miles of each other, it helps me be on top of everything, and helps my managers, educators and leadership team work together on projects.”

Design 1 Salon Spa

Grand Rapids, MI

design1.com

Larry and Lisa Walt

SQUARE FEET: 6,500/6,500/8,400/7,400 (four locations)

TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 143

SALON SOFTWARE: Harms/Millennium

AUTOMATED SINCE: 2001

WEBSITE ESTABLISHED: 1994

AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $38

BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINES: Redken. Pureology, Bumble and bumble

COLOR LINES: Redken, Wella

ASSOCIATION: ISBN

“We use our software to track sales, productivity, retention and retail percentages for each staff member. We have standards that must be met—these standards are a great motivator because they must be achieved to reach higher pricing and commission, as well as other rewards such as a Saturday off.”

Gentleman’s Quarters

Denver, CO

gquarters.com

Bill Chrismer

SQUARE FEET: 2,400/2,200 (two locations)

TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 20

SALON SOFTWARE: Harms/Millennium

AUTOMATED SINCE: 2000

WEBSITE ESTABLISHED: 2000

AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $40

BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINES: American Crew, Therapio Mediceuticals, Nioxin

COLOR LINES: Redken, MiN New York

ASSOCIATIONS: PBA, I/SPA

“From our website guests can take a virtual tour, watch our service providers talk about services, purchase products or gift cards, check their service history and book online or live chat with one of our guest coordinators.”

Fresh Hair Studio

Southampton, PA

freshhairstudiospa.com

Laurie Haney and Deborah Gavin

SQUARE FEET: 3,000

TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 43

SALON SOFTWARE: Harms/ Millennium

AUTOMATED SINCE: 2002

WEBSITE ESTABLISHED: 2003

AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $52

BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINES: Goldwell, KMS, private label

COLOR LINE: Goldwell

ASSOCIATION: PBA

“We use our software to run reports on retention, prebooking, client visit and growth and use these numbers to set goals and help retain or develop business.”

La Jolie Salon

Princeton, NJ

lajoliesalon.com

Sasha Rash

SQUARE FEET: 2,700

TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 36

SALON SOFTWARE: Harms/Millennium

AUTOMATED SINCE: 1991

WEBSITE ESTABLISHED: 1999

AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $60

BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINES: Aveda, Paul Mitchell

COLOR LINES: Aveda, Paul Mitchell

ASSOCIATION: PBA

“The biggest recent technological leap for us has been the ability to remote access the business. As an owner who lives in a different city than my business, the ability to access all technical measures of the company at any hour of the day helps me be the best leader I can be.”

Light Salon and Spa

Avon, OH

lightsalon.com

Tony Stillings, Patricia Buchek and Nesreen Shalodi

SQUARE FEET: 2,400

TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 16

SALON SOFTWARE: SalonBiz

AUTOMATED SINCE: 2005

WEBSITE ESTABLISHED: 2005

AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $36

BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINE: Aveda

COLOR LINE: Aveda

ASSOCIATION: ABN

“Technology allows us to focus on revenue-generating initiatives while being able to service our guests. For example, we are able to control missed appointments through e-mail and automated call reminders and have introduced e-coupons for guests who refer friends.”

Sagittarius Salon and Spa

Hagerstown, MD

sagittariussalon.com

Marsha and Jordon Knicley

SQUARE FEET: 5,300

TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 35

SALON SOFTWARE: Harms/Millennium

AUTOMATED SINCE: 2004

WEBSITE ESTABLISHED: 2004

AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $40

BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINES: Aveda, Bumble and bumble, Wella

COLOR UNES: Wella, Aveda, Redken

ASSOCIATIONS: ABN, The Day Spa Association, Intercoiffure, NCA, PBA

“Team members use portable laptop computers to move among guests who are receiving services and to expedite booking future appointments. While clients are at the salon, they also have access to high-speed internet service.”

Wax Poetic

Burbank, CA

waxpoeticsalon.com

Kerry Hite

SQUARE FEET: 2,800

TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 18

SALON SOFTWARE: Harms/Millennium

AUTOMATED SINCE: 2006

WEBSITE ESTABLISHED: 2000

AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $51

BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINE: Bumble and bumble

COLOR LINE: Wella

“Individual performance is tracked on master reports that show retail and service sales, piece per guest, pre-booking rates, average ticket, number of new clients, etc. This Information is used in performance evaluations and goal setting and promotions are based on consistent excellence.”

The Wingate Salon and Spa

Stratham, NH

wingatespa.com

Tom and Claire McDermott

SQUARE FEET: 9,000

TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 45

SALON SOFTWARE: Harms/Millennium

AUTOMATED SINCE: 2002

WEBSITE ESTABLISHED: 2002

AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $48

BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINES: Kerastase. CHI, Shu Uemura

COLOR LINE: L’Oréal

ASSOCIATION: The Day Spa Association

“Technology helps us manage all facets of our business. Our software allows all service providers to remotely check their schedules and their individual numbers. This keeps the phone calls from employees to the front desk at a minimum. Technology allows us to keep up and keeps us all on the same page."

“Increasingly, we are using blogs, forums, Facebook, Twitter, Shutterfly and YouTube to build our brand awareness. We recently started producing websites to post on our website to build online community, and we are using flip cameras and software to record fashion shows, show new hairstyles and to share interesting events.”

—Bill Chrismer,

Gentleman’s Quarters

Additional Honorees

Art + Science Salon Spa, Philadelphia, PA

The Charles Penzone Family of Salons, Columbus, OH

Fusion 3 Salon, Pleasanton, CA

Ginger Bay Salon and Spa, St. Louis, MO

Hair Benders Salon, Kingsport, TN

Indigo Salon and Day Spa, Canton, MI

Mango Salon, Richmond, VA

Maude, Herndon, VA

Satori: A Salon/Spa/Shopping Experience, Ithaca, NY

Tangerine Salons, Coppell, TX

Valentino’s Grande Salon, Whitby, Ontario

Wisteria Salon Spa, Greenville, SC