Some salons lead with their hearts—searching their communities for causes where their talent, time and money can bring the most positive change. At the same time, they know the goodwill generated and the connections forged help grow their own businesses.

Brown & DeLine West
Ann Arbor, MI
brownanddeline.com
Cathy Issel
SQUARE FEET: 3,800
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 41
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $45
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Moroccanoil, Wella, Sebastian, Pureology
COLOR: Wella, Redken, TIGI
SKINCARE: Glymed, Sothys
NAILCARE: CND, OPI
TECH SUPPORT: Millennium, ZeeZor, Salon Clouds Plus, Constant Contact
ASSOCIATIONS: Intercoiffure, PBA
“After our 11-year-old client Vara relapsed with cancer, we raised money for her and her family. We hosted denim days to encourage team members to donate and invited our clients to help through donations and a chili cook off. We visited Vara’s house with gift bags of makeup and our senior makeup artist Paige gave her a lesson.”

Centre Salon & Spa, Arvada
Arvada, CO
centresalon.com
James F. Pacifico
SQUARE FEET: 3,600
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 22
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $38
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKINCARE: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz
“We expanded the ways that we fundraise. The most unique event we held for Earth Month was a succulent plant bar—the plants were donated and guests loved the practicality of taking home a succulent. We also rallied around a Breast Cancer Awareness Fashion Show, where we raised just over $50,000.”

Guillotine Salon & Spa
Westfield, NJ
guillotinesalonandspa.com
Lynne Fitzpatrick
SQUARE FEET: 1,900
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 33
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $66
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Bumble and Bumble, Ouidad, Oligo
COLOR: L'Oreal Professionnel, It&ly Hairfashion, Calura
SKINCARE: Skinceuticals, Pevonia, Botanica
NAILCARE: Essie, CND
TECH SUPPORT: Millennium, Salon Clouds Plus
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA, Summit Salon
“We collected used beauty equipment from local hair dressers and salon furniture from our distributors and sent them down to Inhijambia in Nicaragua—it’s a school that helps street children with viable vocations, including hairdressing and barbering. We also sponsored students through their program.”

Maude Salon
Herndon, VA
maudehair.com
Vanessa Rose, Celeste Williams, Catina Jay
SQUARE FEET: 2,000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 25
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $78
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Kevin Murphy, R+Co, Redken
COLOR: Redken, Kevin Murphy
TECH SUPPORT: STX, SnapSnip
“Our Maude Squad offers haircuts to a local Hypothermia shelter. On frigid nights, we are reminded that most recipients want barely a trim because their hair helps keep them warm. Still, a shampoo, a warm dryer and someone’s caring hand running through their hair always feels comforting and normalizing.”

Omagi Salon & Spa
Louisville, KY
omagisalonspa.com
Marian Sang
SQUARE FEET: 2,500
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 30
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $54
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKINCARE: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Demandforce, ZeeZor, River City Networks
ASSOCIATIONS: ISPA, PBA, Green Circle
“We created Beau ty for a Benefit, our own philanthropic arm that chooses one charity as a benefactor each year. The purpose is to raise awareness and money for our benefactor each month, leading up to one large high-profile event—Louisville’s Derby Fashion festival which holds a contest for hat designs that are then worn at the Kentucky Derby by local celebrities.”

Pin-Up Curls
Ft. Wayne, IN
pin-upcurls.com
Erin Raber
SQUARE FEET: 1,500
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 20
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $48
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Eufora
COLOR: Eufora
TECH SUPPORT: Millennium, Demandforce, ZeeZor
“We do many philanthropic activities throughout the year, but a favorite is an Adult Prom to help raise money for Livestrong. We sell tickets, collect donations and nominate a Prom Queen and King for extra donations. This one event was able to raise more than $12,000.”

Pure Bliss Salon and Spa
Flint, MI
pureblisssalonspa.com
Melissa and Randy Withey
SQUARE FEET: 6,000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 55
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $40
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Eleven Australia, Eufora, Pravana
COLOR: Wella, Pravana, Oligo
SKINCARE: Epicuren, Phytomer
NAILCARE: OPI,CND
TECH SUPPORT: Millennium, Hootsuite
ASSOCIATIONS: ESON, Summit Salon
“Weiss Advocacy Center is dedicated to serving the child victims and families of child abuse. Last year we started our the Denim and Diamonds gala, which featured a runway show, speakers and a full replica of Family Feud where guests could buy a chance to play for prizes. With the addition of a live auction and presold sponsorships, these efforts netted proceeds of over $31,000 for the center.”

Ritual Salon-Spa
Midlothian, VA
ritualssalon.net
Sheri and Pete Polignone
SQUARE FEET: 5,500
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 40
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $65
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Eufora, Davines, Kevin Murphy
COLOR: Davines
SKINCARE: PCA, Eminence
NAILCARE: OPI
TECH SUPPORT: Millenium, Salon Clouds Plus
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA, Green Circle
“The Road to Parenthood supports families who are trying to conceive. We sponsor their annual Race to Parenthood in April, where we set up a vendor table to offer hair chalk painting and a raffle. We also host a Sunday event at our salon which helps bring our total raised this year to $6,000 for this cause.”

S Salon and Studio
Fairbanks, AK
ssalonandstudio.com
Scott E. Allison
SQUARE FEET: 2,000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 12
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $58
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Goldwell, KMS, DevaCurl
COLOR: Goldwell, Redken, Pulp Riot
SKINCARE: Marys, Hempz
TECH SUPPORT: Millenium, Demandforce
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA
“We hosted the second annual Wigs and Beer event and raised more than $17,000 for the Wigs and Wishes Charity, which supports children who are terminally ill. In return, the salon receives a credit to purchase wigs for those who need them in our home town. We also host a bi-monthly art show for Wigs and Wishes.”

The Day Spa @ Folawns
San Antonio, TX
folawns.com
Ken and Terry Folawn
SQUARE FEET: 6,000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 48
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $55
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKINCARE: Aveda
NAILCARE: OPI
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Demandforce, GroupMe, SalonBiz
“One of the four large philanthropic events we participate in every year is the My Princess and Me event, which benefits victims of child abuse and neglect. It takes 100 hairdressing volunteers and 35 makeup artists. We spend weeks recruiting from several schools and salons to touch the lives of the 650 attendees, who show up for a day of makeovers, photos and a big ball filled with dancing and singing.”

Additional Honorees
Agape Salon & Spa, Rancho Mirage, CA
Atelier Salon Willow Glen, San Jose, CA
Avalon, Deer Park, IL
Avantgarde Salon, Inc., Destin, FL
Blo, Raleigh, NC
Cloud 9 Salon and Spa, Flower Mound, TX
Cutting Loose Salon, University Park, FL
Eric Fisher Salon, Wichita, KS
Fringe Salon and Color Bar, Houston, TX
The Full Spectrum, Murphy, TX
Garbo A Salon; Garbo Salon & Spa, Austin, TX
Ginger Bay Salon & Spa, Kirkwood, MO
Ihloff Salon and Day Spa, Tulsa, OK
Impressions, Mequon, WI
Logan 14 Salon Spa, Washington, DC
Lucky Hair Company, Canton, MI
Mane Attraction Salon, Phoenix, AZ
N Style Salon, Santa Clarita, CA
NUOVO Salon Group, Sarasota, FL
Pavo Salon Spa, Memphis, TN
Salon Allure, Huntsville, AL
The Studio For Hair, Farmington Hills, MI
Studio Wish Salon, Twinsburg, OH
Urban Betty, Austin, TX
Xanadu Hair Salon, Chesapeake, VA