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.”

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.”

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

*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.