It’s a service provider’s job to take care of clients, but it’s an owner’s job to take care of the team. Salons and spas that offer rewarding compensation and benefits packages and design transparent career paths retain talent longer, which helps them grow faster. 

The team from Avantgarde Salon Inc. in Destin, FL.  
 -

The team from Avantgarde Salon Inc. in Destin, FL. 

AVANTGARDE SALON INC.
Destin, FL
avantgardeaveda.com
Joseph and Deke Rogers
SQUARE FEET: 4,300; 1,400; 1,000   
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 35
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $51
AVERAGE STYLIST INCOME: $40,000 to $49,999
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda  
COLOR: Aveda  
SKIN CARE: Aveda   
NAIL CARE: OPI
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Demandforce, ZeeZor 
“This past year, we were able to offer major medical and provide a 401k for our employees matching up to 4%. We have so many young employees and it was huge to see them be able to save for their future. Of all our eligible employees (employed for at least one year), only two declined enrollment.”

The team from Avenue Hair Design in Venice, FL. 
 -

The team from Avenue Hair Design in Venice, FL.

AVENUE HAIR DESIGN
Venice, FL 
avenuehairdesign.net
Claire Kirby
SQUARE FEET: 2,200     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 17
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $54
AVERAGE STYLIST INCOME: $40,000 to $49,999
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Redken, DevaCurl, Pureology
COLOR: Redken, Pulp Riot 
TECH SUPPORT: Envision, Demandforce  
ASSOCIATION: PBA  
“Once a stylist has been promoted to the next level, they must maintain the goals to retain the commission percentage. Should the stylist fail to meet the maintenance goals for three consecutive months, they will drop back to the previous level’s commission percentage.”

The team from Breeze Salon and Spa in Round Rock, TX. 
 -

The team from Breeze Salon and Spa in Round Rock, TX.

BREEZE SALON & SPA
Round Rock, TX
breezesalon.com
Breanna Herriott
SQUARE FEET: 4,200; 4,000; 3,000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 76
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $68
AVERAGE STYLIST INCOME: $40,000 to $49,999
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda  
COLOR: Aveda  
SKIN CARE: Aveda, PCA  
NAIL CARE: OPI, Gelish 
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, ZeeZor, Demandforce, Loyalty Gator 
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA, 2 to 10 
“We created a ‘dream team’ that consists of a few employees from each location. We get together quarterly and go over all of the ideas the other team members have brought to them. Examples of ideas include themed dress code days, charity donations, and spa and wine nights.”

DESIGN 1 SALON SPA
Grand Rapids, MI
design1.com
Larry and Lisa Walt
SQUARE FEET: 8,400; 7,400; 7,260; 6,500; 6,430; 
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 227
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $45
AVERAGE STYLIST INCOME: $50,000 to $59,999
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Redken, Pureology, Prive
COLOR: Redken, Aloxxi, Pulp Riot
SKIN CARE: Aura Beauty Products, Coola, St. Tropez 
NAIL CARE: CND, Foot Logix 
TECH SUPPORT: Millennium, ZeeZor, Salon Clouds Plus 
ASSOCIATIONS: ICA, ISBN 
“We have nine levels for stylists. The goals to move up are to hit a monthly dollar amount in service sales and retail per service ticket for two out of three consecutive months.”

The team from Five Senses Spa, Salon & Barbershop in Peoria, IL, demonstrate their 'We Can Do It' spirit.  
 -

The team from Five Senses Spa, Salon & Barbershop in Peoria, IL, demonstrate their 'We Can Do It' spirit. 

FIVE SENSES SPA, SALON & BARBERSHOP
Peoria, IL
fivesensesspaandsalon.com
Paola Hinton
SQUARE FEET: 5,000 
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 24
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $45
AVERAGE STYLIST INCOME: $40,000 to $49,999
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda  
COLOR: Aveda  
SKIN CARE: Aveda   
NAIL CARE: Aveda  
TECH SUPPORT: Millennium, Salon Clouds Plus
ASSOCIATION: PBA  
“Our team app measures staff member’s average service ticket, retail, new guests, repeat guests, rebooking, etc. Data can be viewed daily, weekly, monthly or as a 90-day report to help staff understand the impact of their efforts over time.”

Sharah Madrone, owner of Gervais Salon and Day Spa in Eugene, OR. 
 -

Sharah Madrone, owner of Gervais Salon and Day Spa in Eugene, OR.

GERVAIS SALON & DAY SPA
Eugene, OR
gervaiseugene.com
Sharah Madrone
SQUARE FEET: 4,300; 3,600    
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 63
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $50
AVERAGE STYLIST INCOME: $50,000 to $59,999
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda  
COLOR: Aveda  
SKIN CARE: Aveda   
NAIL CARE: CND  
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Salon Clouds Plus, Precense AI
ASSOCIATION: PBA  
“Our mission is to create extraordinary guest experiences and an extraordinary workplace. We offer financial fitness classes, at no cost to employees, that focus on retirement, debt elimination, home buying and creating/maintaining an emergency savings fund.”

THE HAIR COMPANY
Leonardtown & Charlotte Hall, MD
thc.salon
Jackie Buckler
SQUARE FEET: 5,500; 4,000    
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 42
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $52
AVERAGE STYLIST INCOME: $40,000 to $49,999
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Redken, Kerastase, Pureology
COLOR: Redken 
SKIN CARE: Bareminerals, Farmhouse Fresh  
NAIL CARE: OPI, CND 
TECH SUPPORT: Meevo 2, Salon Clouds Plus
ASSOCIATIONS: 2 to 10, 
Summit Salon
“A service provider may, by invitation, purchase stock in the company. This gives them the opportunity to own part of a salon that has proven systems in place and is profitable.”

The team from Savvy Salon and Day Spa in Cornelius, NC.  
 -

The team from Savvy Salon and Day Spa in Cornelius, NC. 

SAVVY SALON & DAY SPA
Cornelius, NC
savvysalonanddayspa.com
Pat Helmandollar
SQUARE FEET: 6,400     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 35
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $38
AVERAGE STYLIST INCOME: $40,000 to $49,999
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Kerastase, Bumble and Bumble, Aveda
COLOR: L’Oréal Professionnel, Wella
SKIN CARE: Dermlogica, Cosmedix
NAIL CARE: CND, OPI 
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Demandforce
ASSOCIATION: PBA  
“Our Savvy Savings Club is inspired by the Christmas Club accounts banks used to offer. The employee contributes a set amount per pay period for 46 weeks and we make the 47th contribution. Taxes are withheld with each contribution.”

The team from Spa Nijoli & Salon in Methuen, MA. 
 -

The team from Spa Nijoli & Salon in Methuen, MA.

SPA NIJOLI & SALON
Methuen, MA
nijoli.com
Nicole and David DeRosa
SQUARE FEET: 6,000     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 60
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $60
AVERAGE STYLIST INCOME: $70,000 to $79,999
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Oribe, Kerastase, Bumble and Bumble
COLOR: Wella
SKIN CARE: Dermalogica   
NAIL CARE: OPI, Dazzle Dry, Footlogix
TECH SUPPORT: Millennium, Fetch Rev 
“We hired a financial planner to oversee our IRA retirement plan and help our team to plan their retirement. We have an onsite babysitting facility that is available to team members up to two hours of care. And we pay for our team members’ parking in an adjacent lot.”

Raven Hudson, owner of Village Salon and Spa in Lewes, DE.  
 -

Raven Hudson, owner of Village Salon and Spa in Lewes, DE. 

VILLAGE SALON AND SPA
Lewes, DE
villagesalonlewes.com
Raven Hudson
SQUARE FEET: 3,200  
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 25
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $55
AVERAGE STYLIST INCOME: $50,000 to $59,999
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Redken, Pureology, Brazilian Blowout
COLOR: Redken, Pulp Riot 
SKIN CARE: Dermalogica, Farmhouse Fresh, Hydrafacial 
NAIL CARE: OPI, CND, Farmhouse Fresh
TECH SUPPORT: Envision, Demandforce, Salon Clouds Plus
“When a stylist level jumps, we celebrate! After hours we put a flowers and balloons at her station, and post a sign for guests to see their achievement. A picture of the stylist is posted on social media.”

Additional Honorees:
Bella Style Salon, Slidell, LA
Blo, Raleigh, NC
Fourteenjay, New York, NY
Ginger Bay Salon & Spa, St. Louis, MO
Maggie The Salon, Pembroke Pines, FL
Van Michael Salon, Sandy Springs, GA
 

 

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