
The Constant
Starting at Impressions front desk in 2006 when he was 19 years old, General Manager Paul Petrowsky is a seasoned professional who owner Sarah Taylor says is responsible for much of her own success.
strategies.com800-417-4848bruce@strategies.comOwner: Neil DucoffStrategies offers salons and spas the guidance, systems and accountability needed to achieve consistent bottom-line profits, dynamic team-driven cultures and unrivaled customer ...

Strategies Owner Neil Ducoff speaks at Strategies' Team-Based Pay Conference 2015.
strategies.com
800-417-4848
bruce@strategies.com
Owner: Neil Ducoff
Strategies offers salons and spas the guidance, systems and accountability needed to achieve consistent bottom-line profits, dynamic team-driven cultures and unrivaled customer programs. And we’ve been doing it for more than 22 years.
WHY WE’RE DIFFERENT: As the originators of Team-Based Pay, our focus is on growing the company—the brand, the culture, and the career opportunities of the entire team—unlike our competitors who focus on building individuals. Focusing on team vs. individual growth eliminates the “I/me/mine” mentality that so many commission and booth rental owners struggle to overcome.
HOW WE WORK: The Strategies Membership Program offers access to Phone Coaching Services, On-site Training, Seminars and Webinars for one low monthly fee. These services can be purchased a la carte as well.
CATCH US AT: On Facebook. All classes in Centerbrook, Connecticut unless noted: How to Set Drive & Hit Monthly Goals—Jan 17-18; Incubator Seminar—Feb 21-24 (Austin, Texas); Communicating Your Culture—Mar 6-7; Leading a Team-Based Company—Mar 20-21. See full 2016 schedule at strategies.com/seminar-schedule.
WORDS OF WISDOM: If you’re salon/spa is not generating 10%+ Net Profit AFTER you (the owner) are paid, your pay system needs to be fixed. Service payroll must live between 30% to 35% of Total Revenue (that’s Service + Retail Sales combined)—as it appears on your Profit and Loss Statement. Learn how team-based pay can control costs and pay everyone more at strategies.com/team-based-pay.


Starting at Impressions front desk in 2006 when he was 19 years old, General Manager Paul Petrowsky is a seasoned professional who owner Sarah Taylor says is responsible for much of her own success.

Planning is in full swing for the most anticipated events and promotions for the 2026 holidays. As owners share their favorite ways to celebrate, they prove that a carefully planned event can also build culture, increase client loyalty, boost sales, and set a business up for a successful 2027.

When things run amok at Mane Attraction Salon, Owners Chris and Jenny Knudsen say General Manager Sami Hernandez is their go-to resource and ultimate sounding board. Meet Sami in this installment of Meet the Manager.

Pagoda, a new AI-native operating system for scheduling, payments, patient records, marketing, and client communications, launches at Skinovatio Medical Spa in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

At a panel discussion hosted by L’Oréal Professionnel in Paris in early July, French Philosopher Sophie Galabru explored the cultural shift where women are increasingly choosing natural, personalized color results over traditional grey coverage. In an exclusive interview with SALON TODAY, Galabru and L’Oréal Professionnel Colorist Pierrick Beringer discuss this shift and how salons and colorists respond.

At Salon Blonde, Director of Operations treats the staff as the salon's most important guests, while her wonderful 'nerdy' side, loves data, systems, and numbers. Find out how she makes Salon Blonde tick.

In an exclusive interview with SALON TODAY, Salon Owner Salvatore Minardi reflects on his past 18 months as Intercoiffure America Canada's World Talent Exchange Ambassador and how his experiences will help encourage cultural and artistic exchange and support greater engagement between ICA and the global organization Intercoiffure Mondial.

Everything you need to know about client retention as a salon owner.

Owner Shelby Bills says her general manager, Sydney Osborne, reminds her of the power of leading with heart. Find out how Osborne became a great leader in our lastest installment of Meet the Manager.

In her latest blog, Kati Whitledge identifies the five stages salon owners go through when a team member leaves the salon unethically, offering advice for each stage.

The beauty and wellness businesses pulling ahead aren’t just working harder—they’re using AI to capture demand, personalize pricing, and convert more of every guest interaction into revenue. Here’s what the benchmark data reveals about the growing gap between AI adopters and everyone else.
Sponsored by Zenoti
Stop chasing recruitment ghosts on generic job boards and start curating an elite team. Discover the framework that top-tier salons use to bypass phone tag, automate visual portfolio vetting, and attract high-earning, culture-first beauty professionals directly through real-time messaging. Turn your recruitment process into an exclusive brand invitation that keeps your highest-ticket chairs permanently filled.
Sponsored by Beautista
Your calendar looks full, but is all of that demand actually converting to revenue? From phantom rebookings to underpriced peak hours, the 2026 Benchmark Report exposes five revenue leaks that most beauty and wellness businesses don’t even know they have.
Sponsored by Zenoti

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.

In a world dominated by e-commerce, salon owners push back with proven strategies to increase retail sales while motivating team members to educate their clientele and delighting clients with retail-themed events and clever merchandising displays.

The company's Concealed Bead Method is raising the bar for what professional extension education can deliver.

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.