
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.
Meet the 2018 Salon Today 200 honorees in Employee Education. These salons constantly develop systems to strengthen the skills and confidence of their new team members, while encouraging and supporting their seasoned staff to continually stretch creatively.







The team from the Alan Murphy Salon in Houston, TX.
Alan Murphy Salon
Houston, TX
alanmurphysalon.com
Audrey Murphy and Liam Murphy
SQUARE FEET: 3,000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 31
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $64
TRAINING PROGRAM: 9-12 months
EDUCATION $ PER PERSON: $9,000
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda, Goldwell
SKIN CARE: Aveda
NAIL CARE: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Demandforce
ASSOCIATION: PBA
“For apprentices, outside education is paid for by the salon. For existing team members, we keep retail commissions in a fund that can be used toward outside education.”
Aveda Academy Denver and Pure Talent Salons
Denver, CO
avedaacademydenver.com
Kevin and Tiffany Krauklis
SQUARE FEET: 9,100
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 44
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $50
TRAINING PROGRAM: 9 months
EDUCATION $ PER PERSON: $800
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKIN CARE: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: SpaBiz, ZeeZor, Demandforce, Basecamp
ASSOCIATIONS: ISPA, NCA, PBA
“Our invested employees are required to take two outside classes of their choosing per year. We discuss this with them in January during their individual career path meeting, and again in July during their second meeting.”
Centre Salon, Lakewood
Lakewood, CO
centresalon.com
James F. Pacifico
SQUARE FEET: 3,300
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 20
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $33
TRAINING PROGRAM: 6 months
EDUCATION $ PER PERSON: $700
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKIN CARE: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Demandforce, ZeeZor, WebOpenings
“The most beneficial investment we made was in a leadership coaching program. These classes (four days of training, four modules of online learning and six conference calls) provided tools for leaders, managers and educators to effectively communicate with all team members.”
Fringe Salon and Color Bar
Houston, TX
fringesalonandcolorbar.com
Ashley Toliver-Williams
SQUARE FEET: 3,000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 20
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $93
TRAINING PROGRAM: 24 months
EDUCATION $ PER PERSON: $1,500
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Eufora
COLOR: Eufora
TECH SUPPORT: STX
ASSOCIATION: PBA
“Our apprenticeship program centers around mentorship, four phases of technical, color, business and personal growth education, and a commitment to every person we hire to have a no-one-left-behind mentality to get incredible results from professionals who might not have been stars in other programs.”
Lux Salon
Fullerton, CA
luxsalon.com
Wade Zylstra and James Cook
SQUARE FEET: 3,000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 30
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $70
TRAINING PROGRAM: 11 months
EDUCATION $ PER PERSON: $1,500
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKIN CARE: Aveda
NAIL CARE: SpaRitual
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Demandforce
ASSOCIATION: PBA
“We shut down the salon for a two-day retreat to focus on education and inspiration exclusively. Industry and non-industry speakers are invited, and a demonstration or presentation is also included.”
Neroli Salon & Spa
Milwaukee, WI
nerolisalon.com
Susan Haise
SQUARE FEET: 7,600; 5,200; 4,800; 4,200; 2,400; 1,300;
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 190
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $47
TRAINING PROGRAM: 6 months
EDUCATION $ PER PERSON: $2,500
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKIN CARE: Aveda
NAIL CARE: Zoya, OPI
TECH SUPPORT: Millennium, Salon Clouds Plus
ASSOCIATIONS: Intercoiffure, ISBN, 2 to 10
“We offer advanced training for our advisors, store leaders and guest concierges. Our leaders have attended Coaching and Giving Feedback, Benchmarking, 7 Habits, and Culture and Leadership classes.”
Nuovo Salon Group
Sarasota, FL
nuovosalongroup.com
Terrence McKee and James Amato
SQUARE FEET: 3,300; 3,000; 2,700
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 72
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $57
TRAINING PROGRAM: 12 months
EDUCATION $ PER PERSON: $500
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKIN CARE: Aveda
NAIL CARE: Zoya, CND, Smith & Cult
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Demandforce, ZeeZor, Suretint, SnapSnip, Textel
ASSOCIATIONS: Intercoiffure, PBA, 2 to 10, Green Circle
“Education never ends—after graduating from apprenticeship, intermediate classes begin with master stylists.”
Paul Kenneth Salon & Spa
Woburn, MA
pksalon.com
Jackie Maniaci and Paul Costa
SQUARE FEET: 3,700; 1,600
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 17
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $70
TRAINING PROGRAM: 12 months
EDUCATION $ PER PERSON: $6,000
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: private label
COLOR: Matrix, L’Oréal Professionnel
SKIN CARE: Dermalogica
NAIL CARE: CND
TECH SUPPORT: Milano, Demandforce
ASSOCIATIONS: Intercoiffure, PBA, Global Hair & Fashion Group
“We offer weekly technical and customer-service training as well as quarterly educational events with industry master designers.”
Salon Allure Inc.
Huntsville, AL
salonallurehuntsville.com
Michelle McGough and Paula Lecher
SQUARE FEET: 2,600
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 24
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $41
TRAINING PROGRAM: 9 months
EDUCATION $ PER PERSON: $2,000
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Redken, Pureology
COLOR: Redken
SKIN CARE: Dr. Grandel
NAIL CARE: OPI
TECH SUPPORT: Envision, Constant Contact, Demandforce
ASSOCIATION: PBA, Green Circle
“New hires go through our associate program, a hands-on training, guest handling and business-building developed by the Summit Salon Business Center. The program has led to a growth in sales by $10,000-$12,000 per educator.”
Voga Salon
Overland Park, KS
vogasalon.com
Armando and Ashlee Laya
SQUARE FEET: 1,500
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 16
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $47
TRAINING PROGRAM: 8 months
EDUCATION $ PER PERSON: $2,500
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Redken, Pureology, L’Oréal Professionnel
COLOR: Redken
TECH SUPPORT: Millennium, Salon Cloud Plus, Demandforce
“Mandatory training is 100% paid by us, and training hours are accounted for by payroll calculations. We typically do six or more of these in-salon classes per calendar year.”
Additional Honorees
Avalon Salon Spa, Deer Park, IL
Bii, West Dundee, IL
Blo, Raleigh, NC
Gila Rut Salon & Spa, San Diego, CA
Ginger Bay Salon & Spa, Kirkwood, MO
Gordon Salon, Highland Park, IL
Eric Fisher Salon, Wichita, KS
Ihloff Salon and Day Spa, Tulsa, OK
Josephines Day Spa and Salon, Houston, TX
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Salon, Fishers, IN
Maggie The Salon, Pembroke Pines, FL
Mane Attractions Salon, Phoenix, AZ
Neatbeat, Louisville, KY
Nurtur Salon, Columbus, OH
Omagi Salon & Spa, Louisville, KY
Paris Parker Salons & Spas, Hammond, LA
Tulip Salon & Spa, Fredericksburg, VA

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