Got a Gorgeous New Business? SALONS OF THE YEAR Application Now Open!
The landmark, photo-based interior design competition has opened its application process. We'd love you to hit us with your best shots!
by Stacey Soble
2020 SALON TODAY 200: Technology
On the 10th Day of the 12 Days of the SALON TODAY 200, we eagerly celebrate the 2020 honorees in the category of Technology. These salons know that technology serves as an additional manager, simplifying systems and processes, communicating and education guests, measuring and motivating team members and marketing to the community for new business.
December 13, 2019
The team from Salon M2 in Charlotte, NC.
5 min to read
For a busy salon or spa owner, technology serves as an additional salon manager; simplifying systems and processes, communicating and educating guests, measuring and motivating team members, and marketing to the community for new business.
The Aveda Institute Phoenix in Tempe, AZ.
AVEDA INSTITUTE PHOENIX
Tempe, AZ
avedainstitutephoenix.com
Dale LeMonds
SQUARE FEET: 17,000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 26
SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS: Instagram and Facebook
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $18
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKIN CARE: Aveda
NAIL CARE: Zoya
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Learnaveda, Demandforce
ASSOCIATION: PBA
“Our students have a digital learning platform, meaning that core curriculum, blueprints, tutorials and testing can be facilitated online as well as hands-on in a classroom.”
BELLADONA SALON & SPA
Cape Girardeau, MO
belladonasalons.com
Linda Springs, Becky Davidson
SQUARE FEET: 4,600;2,100
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 40
SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS: Facebook, Instagram, Google My Business
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $37
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda, Kevin Murphy, Eufora
COLOR: Aveda, Eufora
SKIN CARE: Aveda, Glo Skin Beauty, Farmhouse Fresh
NAIL CARE: CND, OPI
TECH SUPPORT: Meevo 2, Tippy, Vish, Meet Your Stylist
“Online booking has allowed us to attract new guests and make scheduling appointments easier. Offering multiple ways to schedule and confirm appointments helps our teams stay organized and decreases no-shows.”
BERENICES
Denver, CO
berenicesdenver.com
Louie Lago, Sara Brentano, Lisa Kirkland
SQUARE FEET: 4,300
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 24
SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS: Google My Business, Facebook, Instagram
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $55
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKIN CARE: Aveda, Sanitas
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Demandforce, Relate Loop
ASSOCIATION: PBA
“Allowing our staff access to data, and trusting them with scheduling appointments for themselves provides a sense of ownership and involvement to our service providers, and is a useful communication tool for all staff members.”
CUSTOM CUT & STYLE
Butler, PA
customcutstyle.net
Jamie Claypoole
SQUARE FEET: 1,600
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 7
SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM: Facebook
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $35
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKIN CARE: Aveda
NAIL CARE: Morgan Taylor, Gelish, Shellac
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Indeed
“On our website, clients can do everything from booking an appointment, browsing our social media, and looking at team members’ portfolios. They also can print up any coupons, apply for a job, and book an appointment.”
Philip Shipman, owner of Philip Johnson Salon Spa in St. Louis, MO.
PHILIP JOHNSON SALON/SPA
Saint Louis, MO
philipjohnsonsalon.com
Philip Shipman
SQUARE FEET: 2,500
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 11
SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS: Facebook, Instagram and Yelp
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $46
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKIN CARE: Aveda
NAIL CARE: Zoya
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Demandforce, SnapSnip
ASSOCIATION: PBA
“We use SnapSnip for online guest consultations and have far fewer no-shows. We have seen a big boost in pre-booking numbers and our staff comes in each day more prepared, knowing what their schedule is before they arrive.”
SALON DISEGNO
Lawrenceville, GA
salondisegno.com
Stacy and Dave Hodges
SQUARE FEET: 1,700; 1,500; 1,300
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 30
SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS: Facebook, Instagram
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $48
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Pureology, Redken, Olaplex
COLOR: Redken, Pravana
SKIN CARE: Bareminerals
NAIL CARE: Essie
TECH SUPPORT: Phorest, ZeeZor
ASSOCIATIONS: 2 to 10, Summit Salon
“We have a 100%-mobile application process for candidates. After making the application process more efficient we were able to elec-tronically fill our hiring queue and had more applications for qualified candidates than we knew what to do with.”
SALON M2
Charlotte, NC
salon-m2.com
Michele Matkovich
SQUARE FEET: 1,200
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 12
SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS: Facebook and Instagram
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $70
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Eufora, Goldwell
COLOR: Goldwell, Eufora
TECH SUPPORT: Phorest, Meet Your Stylist, ZeeZor, SalonInteractive
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA, ESON
“Our very own digital marketing software has made a huge impact on our bottom line. In addition to analytics aggregation and social media posting, it allows for streamlined listings, SEO, review management and more. I call it ‘mission control.’”
Jennifer Tryon and Sheila Barco of Salon Rootz, Inc., in Medina, OH.
SALON ROOTZ, INC.
Medina Twp, OH
salonrootz.com
Jennifer Tryon and Sheila Barco
SQUARE FEET: 1,900
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 13
SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM: Instagram
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $30
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda, Davines, L’Oréal Professionnel
COLOR: L’Oréal Professionnel
NAIL CARE: OPI, Essie, Creative
TECH SUPPORT: Millennium, Constant Contact, Textedly, Groupme
ASSOCIATION: PBA
“We installed a wireless access point over our processing area. This tool allows us to control our WiFi newtwok for our guests. For them to do anything on their phone, tablet or laptop, they have to check-in on Facebook.”
Mitchell Eubanks, owner of The Mitchell Wade Salon in Oviedo, FL.
THE MITCHELL WADE SALON
Oviedo, FL
mitchellwade.com
Mitchell W. Eubanks
SQUARE FEET: 1,400
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 16
SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS: Instagram, Facebook
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $60
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Bumble and Bumble, Moroccanoil, TIGI
COLOR: Wella, Joico
SKIN CARE: Image
TECH SUPPORT: STX, Tippy
ASSOCIATION: PBA
“We recently brought on Tippy, which allows clients to tip separately and directly to their stylists, relinquishing the salon from paying credit card fees on tips. We’ve noticed an increase in productivity with less bank trips, and stylists notice an increase in tips up to 20%.”
The Varuna Aveda Salon Spa in Annapolis, MD.
VARUNA AVEDA SALON SPA
Annapolis, MD
varunasalonspa.com
Rebecca and Riccardo Santoro
SQUARE FEET: 4,000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 33
SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS: Instagram, Facebook
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $60
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKIN CARE: Aveda
NAIL CARE: Zoya, CND
TECH SUPPORT: SpaBiz, Demandforce, Web Openings
ASSOCIATION: PBA
“Our management team meets with employees on a weekly rotating basis to review historical data and to establish meaningful future goals. We’re able to translate the numbers into real work, real success.”
Additional Honorees:
Agape Salon & Spa, Rancho Mirage, CA
Andreas Hogue Salon, Northbrook, IL
Artel Salon, Vancouver, BC
Avenue Hair Design, Venice, FL
Be Inspired Salon, Inc., Madison, WI
Bella Style Salon, Slidell, LA
Bii Natural Salon & Shop, Crystal Lake, IL
Blo, Raleigh, NC
Cappola-Brokaw, Art of Hair, Cheshire, CT
Cloud 9 Salon and Spa, Flower Mound, TX
Cre Hair Studio, Highland, CA
Daylily Spa Salon, Saint Cloud, MN
Define Hair, Ellicott City, MD
Elements of Style Salon and Day Spa, Eldersburg and Frederick, MD
Five Senses Spa, Salon & Barbershop, Peoria, IL
Ginger Bay Salon & Spa, St. Louis, MO
Karen Allen Salon and Spa, Riverside, CA
Lola Hair Studio, Cambridge, MA
Nuovo Salon Group, Sarasota, FL
Nurtur Salon + Spa, Columbus, OH
Paul Kenneth Salon & Spa, Woburn,MA
Prism Wellness Salon, St. James, NY
RedBloom Salon, Calgary, AB
Salon Adelle, Greenville, SC
Salon Allure, Huntsville, AL
Square One Salon and Spa, Dayton, OH
The Changing Room, Aventura, FL
The Root Salon, Phoenix, AZ
The Studio For Hair, Farmington Hills, MI
Urban Betty Salon, Austin, TX
Von Anthony Salon, Frisco, TX
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
More Awards & Contests
Got a Gorgeous New Business? SALONS OF THE YEAR Applications now Open!
The landmark, photo-based interior design competition has opened its application process. We'd love you to hit us with your best shots!
by Stacey Soble
Energized and Exceptionally Thoughtful
At night, Dominic Michael Salon keeps the interior lights on, as the illuminated, eye-catching contemporary design serves as a billboard that consistently attracts new guests.
by Stacey Soble
Timeless Sophistication
Built from the ground up, Mane 18’s design strikes a balance between an elevated experience for guests and the functionality and flow necessary for team members to perform at their best.
by Stacey Soble
One Delightful Design Discovery
Andreas Hogue Salon’s recent renovation surprises visitors with the interior’s expansion of space, elevated retail area, and changing views of the restored Chicago prairie.
by Stacey Soble
2026 SALON TODAY 200: Growth Part 2
It's Day 10 of our SALON TODAY 200 reveals, and we've reached the end! Today, we toast the honorees in the second half of growth--the salons, spas, and barbershops that constantly strive to build stronger bottom lines, including Brandy Smith Stephens in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
by Stacey Soble
2026 SALON TODAY 200: Growth, Part 1
On Day 9 of our 2026 SALON TODAY 200 reveals, a big 'Huzzah' to our first look at the salons, spas and barbershops that fueled their growth by mastering a number of best practices, including the fun team from Lavish Hair Lounge in Albuquerque, New Mexico. (P.S. The second half of Growth comes tomorrow.)
2026 SALON TODAY 200: Salon Culture
A big "Bravo!" to the salons and spas that develop strong cultures that fuel growth while retaining team members, such as Soleil Salon & Spa team in Windham, New Hampshire, who catch up reading last year's 200 issue.
2026 SALON TODAY 200: Customer Service
We tip our hats to the salons and spas that genuinely connect with guests and strive to elevate their service, including Chenica Racine and Ricka O'Bannon, owners of C&R Beauty Bar in Louisville, Kentucky.
2026 SALON TODAY 200: Employee Education
Hats off to the 2026 SALON TODAY 200 honorees who make education a priority for employees at every level, including Eric Fisher Salon, which hosted Educator Oscar Bond for a cutting class in Wichita, Kansas.
2026 SALON TODAY 200: Technology and Client Retention and Referral
Today, we have two 2026 SALON TODAY 200 categories as we hail the salons that find creative ways to build client loyalty and the ones that constantly explore and embrace new technology to further their businesses, including the social-savvy team from Verde Salon Group in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
2026 SALON TODAY 200: Environmental Sustainability and Retail & Merchandising
For today's SALON TODAY 200 announcements, we toast the honorees who prioritize the environment in their business decisions and those who take retail to the next level, including the excited team from Pure Salon Spa in Louisville, Kentucky.
2026 SALON TODAY 200: Philanthropy
Cheers to the SALON TODAY 200 honorees who give their time, talent and fundraising efforts to their communities, including Eli Mancha and the team from Bang! Salon, whose cut-a-thon has collected more than 1,200 coats that have been donated to Chicago's unhoused.
by Stacey Soble
2026 SALON TODAY 200: Business Builders
It's Day 1 of our 2026 SALON TODAY 200 announcements, and today, we raise our glasses for the honorees in the Business Builders category. These salons, including Elan Hair Studio in Spring Lake, New Jersey, took strategic risks that paid off in revenue-generating success.
by Stacey Soble
2026 SALON TODAY 200: Compensation and Benefits
It's time to celebrate the 2026 SALON TODAY 200 honorees who design rewarding career paths and seek out enriching benefits to keep their team members healthy, happy and growing, including the team from Pinup Studio in Raleigh, North Carolina, who always enjoy a good pajama party.
A Space to Ground Down and Level Up
With a training salon, treatment rooms, education and collaboration spaces, a podcast studio and a yoga studio, BASE ONE is the foundation for the future growth of PENZONE Salons+Spas, as well as the company's gift to their community and the industry. Peruse the image gallery or take the personalized video tour led by Debra Penzone to see this exceptional space.
by Stacey Soble
SALON TODAY 200 Announcements Coming Soon!
As our judges read those last essays and create their list of honorees in each category, we're planning to start announce the 2026 SALON TODAY 200 starting February 25.
by Stacey Soble