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.
5 min to read
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.”
Ad Loading...
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.”
Ad Loading...
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
Ad Loading...
*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.
After moving to Colorado and teaching at a cosmetology school, Allison Stock joined Zandi K as a stylist, eventually becoming part of the Leadership Team, Education Team and Master Bridal Team. Today, as Director of Operation, Stock is Owner Nicki Wenz's right hand, managing human resources and operations, education and career development, and coaching and culture.
Scott maximized her micro-salon by transitioning from stylist to strategic owner, focusing on recruiting and station-sharing. By prioritizing her ownership role over behind-the-chair work, she grew her team to six stylists within the two-chair, 150-square-foot space before eventually moving to a larger facility.
The former CFO of Perdue Farms and owner of Hardy Seafood, Terry Owens delivers a wealth of wisdom and strategies for entrepreneurs in his new book, "Business is Simple."
After scaling her single-location salon business, SALON TODAY 200 Honoree Amy Pal recently sold her six-location Whip Salon for seven figures. Using the six Ps for maximizing a business's value, she's ready to help her peers do the same.
Buried inside the One Big Beautiful Bill Act are federal solar tax credit changes that deserve your attention now. Two of the credits that matter most to commercial property owners, the Investment Tax Credit and the Production Tax Credit, are still available, but only if you move fast. A third, the Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Deduction, has a hard termination date that is closer than most people realize.
Up to 40% of hair stylists ghost the salon interview stage, leaving owners trapped playing endless phone tag with uncommitted applicants. This data-driven report breaks down why traditional job boards create recruitment friction and reveals the modern messaging strategies high-growth salons use to get pre-qualified talent to actually show up. Learn how to transition from cold calling to high-conversion conversations that protect your time and fill your chairs.
Spit fests, hostile threats, and even an overachieving matchmaker--SALON TODAY readers share their craziest client tales and how their team handled these tough situations with professionalism and grace.
Keeping your appointment book full when clients are in vacation mode takes more than a good Instagram post. It takes a plan.
The 2026 Summer Marketing Calendar from Meevo gives salon, spa & med spa owners a month-by-month roadmap with sharp themes, key opportunity dates, and campaign ideas specifically designed for the beauty & wellness industry.
Here’s to your summer season working as hard as you do!
AI is transforming the beauty and wellness industry, and the future is about empowering people, not replacing them. Discover how Phorest AI helps salons, spas, and med spas across North America respond faster, personalize every visit, and keep human connection at the heart of the client experience.
Owner Michaella Blissett-Williams credits her General Manager Gloria Hortua with [salon] 718's year-over-year, double-digit growth and says she's been able to scale the company to eight locations because she can rely on Hortua to manage daily operations.
Elyse Rogers is an uplifting presence at The Headroom who makes the team feel heard even in stressful situations. Owner Danielle Cherewyk sings her praises in this installment of Meet the Manager.
Despite a slight and predictable decline in client traffic for Q1, resilient pricing power is driving year-over-year revenue growth in salons. The KIM Report's Alain Audet reviews the data and what it's telling us about the state of professional beauty.
Same-store revenue grew just 2% for the second straight year—and new guest visits declined across every segment of the industry. The 2026 Benchmark Report reveals where growth is actually happening, which verticals are pulling ahead, and what the data says about where your business stands right now.
Hair restoration is entering a new era driven by regenerative science. This paper explores how Exosome technology is transforming treatment outcomes by targeting hair loss at a cellular level. Discover why EXOGROW is leading this shift.
A salon brand is much more than a logo. In this thought-provoking blog, Leon Alexander, Ph.D., walks you through the difference. SALON TODAY suggests sharing this article with your team and leading a discussion at your next huddle, asking the team to define your business's brand.