For the most successful service providers, education is a career-long process. The strongest salons and spas develop educational systems that enhance the skills and confidence of their newest team members while encouraging and supporting their seasoned staff to continually stretch creatively.

Andreas Hogue and Design Team Member Carla Makowski from the Andreas Hogue Salon in Northbrook, IL.
ANDREAS HOGUE SALON
Northbrook, IL
andreashogue.com
Andreas Hogue
SQUARE FEET: 2,700; 2,400
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 54
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $78
TRAINING PROGRAM: 12 months
EDUCATION $$/PERSON: $2,000
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Matrix, Pureology, Amika
COLOR: Matrix
SKIN CARE: Glo Therapeutics, Aveda
NAIL CARE: OPI, Essie
TECH SUPPORT: Meevo 2, Constant Contact
“To keep stylists happy during long days of classes, we take time for team recognition and shout-outs, and we provide food, drinks, and gifts. These are our best team-building days where a lot is learned and many laughs are shared.”
CRE HAIR STUDIO
Highland, CA
crehairstudio.com
Wayne Mogel and Heather Mogel
SQUARE FEET: 1,000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 6
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $46
TRAINING PROGRAM: 12 months
EDUCATION $$/PERSON: $1,000
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda, Pulp Riot
SKIN CARE: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: Salon Iris
“All senior stylists are trained to teach any trainee that is assisting them. Our clients love hearing us educate, and it has become part of our culture. Teaching at the chair helps us to make sure trainees are hearing the information over and over, as well as seeing it in practical application.”

A selfie pic of the team from Deja Vous Hair Care in Kannapolis, NC.
DEJA VOUS HAIR CARE
Kannapolis, NC
dejavoushaircare.com
David and Ashleigh Austin
SQUARE FEET: 1,300
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 10
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $41
TRAINING PROGRAM: 9 months
EDUCATION $$/PERSON: $2,000
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Pureology, Redken, Matrix
COLOR: Redken
TECH SUPPORT: Envision, Demandforce
“The associate stylist and the educator have a daily debrief to discuss successes and challenges. This helps build personal connections, but also allows the associate a daily look at their progress and the opportunity to flourish from constant support and instruction.”

The team from the Detlev Lifestyle Salon in front of their salon in Miami, FL.
DETLEV – LIFESTYLE SALON
Miami, FL
detlev.com
Detlev Gessner
SQUARE FEET: 2,000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 14
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $82
TRAINING PROGRAM: 12 months
EDUCATION $$/PERSON: $1,500
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKIN CARE: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: Rosy, Demandforce
ASSOCIATION: PBA
“Having our education director as a working stylist helps prepare our team for all the real-life scenarios they’re likely to encounter. Since the director arrived in 2017, 100% of incoming stylists have passed our most difficult tier of training. Before, we were losing junior stylists regularly.”

Eric and Mary Fisher accept the Best in Business Award for the Eric Fisher Salon in Wichita, KS.
ERIC FISHER SALON
Wichita, KS
ericfishersalon.com
Eric Fisher and Mary Fisher
SQUARE FEET: 4,000; 1,500; 1,500
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 110
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $53
TRAINING PROGRAM: 12 months
EDUCATION $$/PERSON: $2,000
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aquage, Kerastase, Aveda
COLOR: Goldwell, Aveda,
L’Oréal Professionnel
SKIN CARE: Image Skincare, Skinceuticals, Hydrafacial
TECH SUPPORT: Phorest, Tippy
“Each year, we fly in five to six of the nation’s top stylists and makeup artists for our annual summit, consisting of a stage show on Sunday evening and hands-on workshops all day Monday. Our team assist the guest artists and learn from them directly.”
GINGER BAY SALON & SPA
St. Louis, MO
gingerbay.com
Laura A. Ortmann
SQUARE FEET: 10,000; 2,800
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 108
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $63
TRAINING PROGRAM: 6-12 months
EDUCATION $$/PERSON: $250
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda, Matrix
SKIN CARE: Aveda, Murad
NAIL CARE: CND, OPI
TECH SUPPORT: Meevo 2
ASSOCIATIONS: ICA, PBA
“Our leadership team is provided with quarterly education from our Franklin Covey Facilitator, which includes Coaching Class, Time Management, 4 Roles of Leadership, Presentation Skills and 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”

The team from Impressions Salon in Mequon, WI.
IMPRESSIONS SALON
Mequon, WI
impressionsdayspa.com
Sarah Taylor
SQUARE FEET: 4,800
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 42
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $46
TRAINING PROGRAM: 9 months
EDUCATION $$/PERSON: $321
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Davines, Pureology, Redken
COLOR: Redken
SKIN CARE: Eminence
NAIL CARE: OPI, CND, Masterworks
TECH SUPPORT: Mikal, Demandforce
ASSOCIATIONS: CC, PBA
“After three months, associates start an ‘opportunity shift’ during which they can take any appointments for any services. The associates book these people on their own, as they are not ready to take on salon guests yet. This helps them develop the skills to get referrals.”

The team from Let 'Em Have It Salon in Denver, CO.
LET 'EM HAVE IT SALON
Denver, CO
letemhaveitsalon.com
Fallene Wells
SQUARE FEET: 1,937
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 4
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $60
TRAINING PROGRAM: 8 months
EDUCATION $$/PERSON: $1,000
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Davines, Olaplex, Keratin Complex
COLOR: Davines, Pravana,
Pulp Riot
TECH SUPPORT: Meevo 2, Textel, Mailchimp
ASSOCIATION: Green Circle
“We book educators outside of the salon and open our doors for all industry professionals to attend. We aim to have six advanced classes in-house per year for business and technical training.”

The team from Tulip Salon & Spa in Fredericksburg, VA.
TULIP SALON & SPA
Fredericksburg, VA
tulipsalonspa.com
Priscilla Priebe
SQUARE FEET: 2,300
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 25
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $55
TRAINING PROGRAM: 12 months
EDUCATION $$/PERSON: $3,850
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKIN CARE: Aveda
NAIL CARE: OPI
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Demandforce, Constant Contact
ASSOCIATION: PBA
“We met as a team to create our ‘dream board’ for education. By compensating for time in training, along with fully funding the educational classes, we motivate team members to attend. Culturally as a team, they collaborate on skill development, and the team is elevated as a whole.”

The team from Van Michael Salons in Atlanta, GA.
VAN MICHAEL SALON
Sandy Springs, GA
vanmichael.com
Van Council
SQUARE FEET: 8,600; 5,500; 3,000; 2,590; 2,410; 2,360
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 380
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $92
TRAINING PROGRAM: 24 months
EDUCATION $$/PERSON: $1,000
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKIN CARE: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: Mikal, ZeeZor, Demandforce
ASSOCIATIONS: ICA, 2 to 10
“Every quarter, we have a test on our theory classes, and we make it fun by reviewing for it Jeopardy or Family Feud style. We train on every detail, down to portfolio consultation and the cards we keep on clients.”
Additional Honorees:
Avenue Hair Design, Venice, FL
Bellezza Avanti Spa Salon, Wadsworth, OH
Blo, Raleigh, NC
Changes Salon and Day Spa, Walnut Creek, CA
Elements of Style Salon and Day Spa, Eldersburg and Frederick, MD
Ellie K Salon, Frisco, TX
Fringe Salon and Color Bar, Houston, LA
Gervais Salon & Day Spa, Eugene, OR
J. Nicolle Salon & Spa, New Albany, IN
Mane Attraction Salon, Phoenix, AZ
Maude, Herndon, VA
Paul Kenneth Salon & Spa, Woburn, MA
Paris Parker Salons and Spas, Hammond, LA
RedBloom Salon, Calgary, AB
Salon Halo, Spring Hill, FL
Tangerine Salon and Spa, Murfreesboro, TN
The Mitchell Wade Salon, Oviedo, FL
The Root Salon, Phoenix, AZ
The Studio for Hair, Farmington Hills, MI
Thompson & company Salon Parlor, Iowa City, IA
Village Salon and Spa, Lewes, DE
Zinke Hair Studio, Boulder, CO
For reprint and licensing requests for this article, Click here.