A steady infusion of advanced education keeps a salon’s team on-trend, motivated, creative and at the top of their game. In return, this renewed spirit fuels the salon’s sales and leads to growth. We asked ST200 applicants in this ...
The team from Interlocks in Newburyport, Massachusetts, with global educators Christopher and Sonya Dove (center) after an advanced training class in the salon.
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A steady infusion of advanced education keeps a salon’s team on-trend, motivated, creative and at the top of their game. In return, this renewed spirit fuels the salon’s sales and leads to growth. We asked ST200 applicants in this category to make a presentation to their staff memebers that outlines all the educational opportunities the salon/spa will provide for the upcoming calendar year. Extra credit was awarded to salons that implemented programs to cover educational costs and that required staff to come back and share what they learned with the team.
A NEW BEGINNING AN AVEDA LIFESTYLE SALON AND DAY SPA Bethel, CT anbsalonspa.com Carol Romer SQUARE FEET: 6,000 TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 37 EDUCATION FREQUENCY: Once a month EDUCATION $ PER PERSON: $1,250 - $1,500 AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: 50 BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda COLOR: Aveda TECH SUPPORT: Millennium, Spa Boom, DemandForce ASSOCIATIONS: PBA, Bethel and Newtown chambers of commerce, Working Women's Forum “Aveda-certified trainers are brought in-house for multiple classes throughout each year. This year, we hosted trainers for men’s cutting, reflexology, facial techniques and make-up classes, and points of connection massage.”
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CENTRE SALON & SPA, ARVADA Arvada, CO centresalon.com James F. Pacifico SQUARE FEET: 3,600 TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 25 EDUCATION FREQUENCY: Once a month EDUCATION $ PER PERSON: $1,000 AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: 35 BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda COLOR: Aveda TECH SUPPORT: Salon/SpaBiz, Demandforce “Stylists are reviewed quarterly to evaluate not only their individual performance but also their personal commitment to continued growth. Further promotions depend on this factor.”
HAIRCUTTERS IN THE PARK Litchfield Park, AZ haircp.com Kathy Basaldua and Raymond Basaldua SQUARE FEET: 2,100, 1,800, 900 TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 18 EDUCATION FREQUENCY: Once a month EDUCATION $ PER PERSON: $2,500 AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $40 BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda COLOR: Aveda TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Deamdforce “The salon provides stylists a 50-percent match of class costs for all courses held outside the salon up to $2,500/year, and covers 100 percent of all in-salon classes. Stylists have access to more than 20 education classes in Arizona and across the country.”
INTERLOCKS Newburyport, MA interlockssalon.com Ginny Eramo SQUARE FEET: 4,300 TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 48 EDUCATION FREQUENCY: Once a quarter EDUCATION $ PER PERSON: $2,500 AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: 62 BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Oribe, Thermafuse, Ecru COLOR: Wella TECH SUPPORT: STX ASSOCIATIONS: PBA “Every service provider on our team is expected to participate in advanced education to support our salon and spa culture. We offer 100 percent financial support for tuition as well as travel.”
JAMES GRIFFITH SALON Venice, FL jamesgriffithsalon.com Christine and James Griffith SQUARE FEET: 4,000, 2,000, 1,200 TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 65 EDUCATION FREQUENCY: Once a week EDUCATION $ PER PERSON: $1,000 AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: 45 BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda, Kerastase COLOR: Aveda, L'Oreal, Professionnel/INOA TECH SUPPORT: Spa Biz, Demandforce ASSOCIATIONS: Intercoiffure, PBA, 2-10 Project “We continue our French hairdressing education regimen with weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly classes. As stylists progress in their career, the level of education progresses with them to continue to stretch and strengthen techniques.”
JON ALAN SALON Nashville, TN jonalansalon.com Jón and Alan Snetman SQUARE FEET: 3,200, 1,900, 4,500 TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 45 EDUCATION FREQUENCY: Once a week EDUCATION $ PER PERSON: $1,200 AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $45 BEST-SELLING RETAIL: AVEDA COLOR: AVEDA TECH SUPPORT: STX ASSOCIATIONS: Intercoiffure, PBA “A portion of retail sales is set aside for each individual to ensure their ongoing education. Not only do we administer the fund, we arrange classes, flights and hotel accommodations for the team so that all they have to do is show up with an open mind and open heart.”
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MAXIME SALON Hingham, MA maximesalon.com Ronit Enos SQUARE FEET: 1,300 TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 12 EDUCATION FREQUENCY: Once a month EDUCATION $ PER PERSON: $2,000-$5,000 AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $65 BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Oribe, Minardi JF Lazartigue COLOR: Joico, Minardi, Organic TECH SUPPORT: Milano, Constant Contact, Wordpress ASSOCIATIONS: PBA “Our leadership team meets quarterly to create our education schedule, which focuses on technical skills, soft-skill training and business development. The goal is to not only get organized, but also make sure each class will be beneficial, engaging and fun.”
NEROLI SALON & SPA Milwaukee, WI nerolispa.com Susan Haise SQUARE FEET: 5,200, 4,800, 7,600, 1,300, 4,200 TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 200 EDUCATION FREQUENCY: Once a month EDUCATION $ PER PERSON: $1,500 AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $46 BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda COLOR: Aveda TECH SUPPORT: Millennium, Constant Contact, Hootsuite ASSOCIATIONS: Intercoiffure, ISBN, NCA, PBA “For team members looking to build their network nationally, we send a hair and make-up team to New York Fashion Week. To be part of this team, individuals must complete a three-day training in NYC, which we cover half the cost.”
PAUL KENNETH SALON & SPA Woburn, MA pksalon.com Paul Kenneth and Jackie Maniaci SQUARE FEET: 3,700, 1,600 TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 18 EDUCATION FREQUENCY: Once a week EDUCATION $ PER PERSON: $6,000 AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: 70 BEST-SELLING RETAIL: PK Professional, PK EcoChic COLOR: Matrix, L'Oreal TECH SUPPORT: Milano Milano Demand Force internal private systems ASSOCIATIONS: Intercoiffure, PBA, Global Hair & Fashion Group (GHFG) “Our master designers continue to train at various academies in and out of the country to become master-level designers. They can also work toward the PK Design Team and doing photo shoots, fashion shows, etc.”
SALON 124 Grayson, GA salon124.com Brian Perdue SQUARE FEET: 1,800, 1,800, 3,000, 3,000, 4,000, 2,400 TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 205 EDUCATION FREQUENCY: Once a month EDUCATION $ PER PERSON: $1000+ AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $41 BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Keune, Bumble and Bumble, Moroccanoil COLOR: Keune TECH SUPPORT: Millennium ASSOCIATIONS: NCA, PBA “Our in-salon education gives a comprehensive listing of the 10 classes we will host throughout the year. To get promoted, stylists are required to attend at least one from each category—cutting, color and product knowledge.”
ADDITIONAL HONOREES* Avalon Salon and Day Spa, Deer Park, IL Aura Salon & Day Spa, Scottsdale, AZ Bella Bethesda Salon, Bethesda, MD Blo, Raleigh, NC The Charles Penzone Salon, Powell OH Chemistry Hair Salon, Shreveport, LA Clive and Co., Dallas, TX Cutting Loose Salon, University Park, FL Elements of Style Salon & Day Spa, Eldersburg, MD J. Henry Salon, Inc., Portland, ME Jamison Shaw Hairdressers, Atlanta, GA John Robert’s Spa, Mayfield Heights, OH Lavish Color Salon, Cleveland, OH Omagi Salon & Spa, Louisville, KY Pure Salon Spa, Louisville, KY Salon Biyoshi, Knoxville, TN Salon Estique, Phoenix, AZ Salon Rootz, Inc., Medina, OH Style Downtown, Pensacola, FL Urban Betty, Austin, TX
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*Additional honorees have accrued more than one honor in the the 2015 Salon Today 200 and their salon is profiled in another category.
For additional tips on developing a salon education program, visit neilltsp.com.
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