Although invisible, Salon Culture is that tangible energy that binds and propels a team, attracts clients and forges a brand. A strong culture is hard to define and even more difficult to build, but when a salon, spa or school masters this task, they are unstoppable.

Aveda Institute Denver
Denver, CO
avedainspiregreatness.com
Dale LeMonds
SQUARE FEET: 27,000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 50
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $15
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKINCARE: Aveda
NAILCARE: Debra Lipman, OPI
TECH SUPPORT: SpaBiz, Demandforce, Web Openings, Sales Force
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA, AACS
“We start every week with ‘wellness’ when we gather the entire campus and start with celebrations. Students and team members are celebrated by one another and then we enjoy a wellness activity, such as a lip sync battle, yoga stretches, meditation, motivational stories, laughter or awards.”

Brush Salon
Healdsburg, CA
brushthesalon.com
Emma Moore-Hughes
SQUARE FEET: 2,700
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 22
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $67
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKINCARE: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz
“Transitioning the team from a culture where they simply followed rules to one where they helped create and shape the vision of the business was worth the effort. The result has been a happier, more loyal team who are excited to come to work every day.”

Centre Salon, Fashion Place
Murray, UT
centresalon.com
James F. Pacifico
SQUARE FEET: 1,500
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 9
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $37
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKINCARE: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Demandforce, ZeeZor
“As a company, our Internal Points of Difference are something we hold very sacred and we follow them closely. This starts at the time of hiring—our ultimate goal is to attract and retain people that will work with us in upholding these core practices.”

Fringe Salon and Color Bar
Houston, TX
fringesalonandcolorbar.com
Ashley Toliver-Williams
SQUARE FEET: 3,000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 21
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $77
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Eufora
COLOR: Eufora
TECH SUPPORT: Phorest, SnapSnip
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA
“Being happy, fulfilled and successful is part of our commitment to each other. The team meets 30 minutes before each day starts, and we address the following: What did you accomplish yesterday? What are you working on today? What is a roadblock that you will need help with?”

Gila Rut Salons
San Diego, CA
gilarut.com
Keri Davis-Duffy and Karla Lopez-Martinez
SQUARE FEET: 2,000; 2,100; 2,100
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 90
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $55
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKINCARE: Aveda
NAILCARE: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: STX
ASSOCIATIONS: Intercoiffure, PBA, 2 to 10
“At this year’s retreat, everyone participated in a special ritual. We wrote down something we wanted to let go of on a rock and threw the rock into the water—then each team member chose a new rock to write the word that they will focus on for the year ahead, keeping this rock as a reminder.”

K Charles Salons
San Antonio, TX
kcharlesco.com
Kathy Thalman, Chase Thalman, Holly Thalman
SQUARE FEET: 5,500; 5,500; 3,500; 1,600; 1,500; 800
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 80
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $69
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKINCARE: Aveda
NAILCARE: CND, OPI
TECH SUPPORT: Millinum, Salon Clouds Plus
ASSOCIATIONS: ISBN, PBA, 2 to 10
“We implemented an Advisory Board where each location nominates one or two people. The board meet quarterly, and its job is to find out from the entire team how we can improve culture. This creates advocates for each location and everyone feels invested and that their voice is heard.”

Maximum FX Salons
Austin, TX
maximumfx.com
Javier Herrera and Chris Murphy
SQUARE FEET: 2,000; 2,000; 1,600
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 50
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $70
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda, Pravana
SKINCARE: Aveda, Intelligent Nutrients
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Demandforce, Infusionsoft
ASSOCIATIONS: Intercoiffure
“We narrowed our list of shared values down to ten, including Learning, Trust, Teamwork, Success, Creativity, Fun, Happiness, Relationships, Flexibility and Service. Once you understand your team’s shared values, you can better manage problems, individuals and issues, while making better decisions.”

Salon Skanda
Atlanta, GA
salonskanda.com
Kevin and Robert Miraglia
SQUARE FEET: 1,200
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 13
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $65
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Eufora, Innersense
COLOR: Eufora, Goldwell
TECH SUPPORT: Phorest
ASSOCIATIONS: Strategies
“We changed our business model to be truly be team-based in all that we do, including education, client servicing, pay and monthly financial goals. Then, for the good of the team, we cut away the toxic personalities, regardless if they were the highest producers.”

Studio Eleven
Maryville, IL
studioeleven.biz
Denise Gualdoni
SQUARE FEET: 3,300
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 21
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $55
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Eufora
COLOR: Eufora
SKINCARE: Jane Iredale
TECH SUPPORT: Phorest, ZeeZor
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA
“We cherish our culture so much that our logo even highlights our core values. Every petal of the Studio Eleven tulip represents a core value. Piece by piece, petal by petal, the core values come together to form our culture.”

The Studio for Hair
Farmington Hills, MI
thestudioforhair.com
Natalie Sikora, Kenneth Sikora, Tasha Schurgin
SQUARE FEET: 1,700
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 21
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $60
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Eufora
COLOR: Eufora, Goldwell
NAILCARE: OPI, CND, Essie
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz
ASSOCIATIONS: American Board of Certified Haircolorists
“Years ago, we created a private Facebook group page, just for the team, as a way of staying in contact. Information is shared quickly and clearly on this platform, so everyone knows what is going on. The page also allows us to share monthly goals. Working toward one goal, our team cheers each other on.”

Additional Honorees
Agape Salon & Spa, Rancho Mirage, CA
Avalon, Deer Park, IL
Bii Natural Salon & Shop, West Dundee, IL
Clique Salon, Houston, TX
Gervais Salon & Day Spa, Eugene, OR
Glow Beauty Boutique, Braintree, MA
Impressions, Mequon, WI
Integrity Lash, Pasadena, CA
J Nicolle Salon & Spa, New Albany, IN
Five Senses Spa Salon & Barbershop, Peoria, IL
Fourteenjay, New York, NY
Joli Salon & Day Spa, Lexington, KY
Karen Allen Salon and Spa, Riverside, CA
Logan 14 Salon Spa, Washington, DC
Mane Attraction Salon, Phoenix, AZ
NUOVO Salon Group, Sarasota, FL
Nurtur the Salon, Columbus, OH
Paul Kenneth Salon & Spa, Woburn, MA
Penzone Salons + Spas, Powell, OH
Pin-Up Curls, Ft. Wayne, IN
Prism Wellness Salon and Spa, St. James, NY
Progressions Salon Spa Store, Rockville, MD
RedBloom Salon, Calgary
Solaris Aveda, Evansville, IN
Square One Salon and Spa, Dayton, OH
Studio 700 Salon and Spa, Corona, CA
Urban Betty, Austin, TX