2024 SALON TODAY 200: Philanthropy and Retail and Merchandising
In our first day of SALON TODAY 200 announcements, we introduce you to the 2024 honorees in two categories: Philanthropy, and Retail and Merchandising. The first group, like Hi Texture Hair Salon in Lawrenceville, Georgia, search their communities for causes where their time, talent and money can enact the most positive change. The second have learned to pull the whole team together to master the retail game.
Ready for Sping, the team from Pin-Up Curls in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The 2024 SALON TODAY 200 Honorees in Philanthropy
Some salons lead with their hearts, searching their communitites 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.
Chastity Austin, owner of Alluring Salon in Hutsonville, Illinois, and her back-up singers, a.k.a. the salon's styling team.
ALLURING SALON
Hutsonville, IL
alluringsalonspa.com
Chasity Austin
SQUARE FEET: 3500
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 5
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Redken, Aveda, Sexy Hair
COLOR: Redken
SKINCARE: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: Meevo, Tippy
ASSOCIATIONS: Cosmetologists Chicago
“Unboxed is our Avant Gard red carpet event to raise money for an organization that helps victims of violence and homelessness. Our guests walk away with a memorable night, we raise more than $30,000 for the cause, and we invite beauty school students to help prep models.”
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BC SALON
Morristown, NJ
bcsalonmorristown.com
Cara Camiscioli Billy Sheenan
SQUARE FEET: 2500
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 8
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Davines, Unite
COLOR: Davines, Lakme, Redken
TECH SUPPORT: Meevo, Textel
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA
“We give monthly complimentary services to the residents of Homeless Solutions. We’ve been astounded by how many of clients volunteered with the organization and how delighted they were when the heard we were partnering with them.”
BELLA SALON & SPA
Hagerstown, MD
bellasalonandspa.net
Tamara Shindle
SQUARE FEET: 2500
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 30
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Redken, Pureology, Mizani
COLOR: Redken, Pulp Riot
SKINCARE: Dermalogica, Farmhouse Fresh
NAIL CARE: OPI, CND, Farmhouse Fresh
TECH SUPPORT: Envision, Demandforce, Integrity, Envision
ASSOCIATIONS: 2 to 10
“We created an Employee of the Month. At each company meeting, employees pick the person they feel is the most deserving. The winner picks their favorite retail product, then for that month, a portion of the proceeds benefit a charity of their choice.”
The logo from Bombshells Hair Studio in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
BOMBSHELLS HAIR STUDIO
Murfreesboro, TN
borobombshells.com
Michelle Williamson
SQUARE FEET: 3700
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 20
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Oribe, Keune, Zenagen
COLOR: Keune
SKINCARE: Universal
TECH SUPPORT: Mangomint
“We opened a Wig’s Story, a 501c3 non-profit that provides free wigs and hair services to those experiencing hair loss due to the effects of cancer. With its new home located inside our salon we’ve been able to help triple the number of women as the previous wig bank.”
Malinda O'Dell, owner of Grassroots Salon and Spa in Layton, Utah.
GRASSROOTS SALON AND SPA
Layton, UT
Malinda O'Dell
SQUARE FEET: 4000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 32
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKINCARE: Aveda, Glymed Skin, Medica
NAIL CARE: Tammy Taylor, Young Nails
TECH SUPPORT: Phorest
“Our team’s favorite way to give back is our partnership with Foster Care Utah. Each stylist donates their time providing free haircut to children currently in the foster care system and we hold events each quarter.”
Owner India Bertin (center) and the team from Hi Texture Hair Salon in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
HI TEXTURE HAIR SALON
Lawrenceville, GA
hitexturehair.com
India Bertin
SQUARE FEET: 1500
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 8
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Mizani, Influence, Redken
COLOR: Matrix
TECH SUPPORT: Vagaro, Vish
“In 2020, we introduced Teen Texture, a free, back-to-school camp tailored for 10-15 year olds. The vibrant, half-day seminar offers educational sessions, hands-on learning and activities geared toward enhancing confidence. We impart hair care techniques to boys and girls, covering everything from cleansing to conditioning and styling.”
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NURTUR SALON + SPA
Columbus, OH
nurtursalon.com
Patrick Thompson
SQUARE FEET: 4000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 39
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKINCARE: Aveda, Ultraceuticals
TECH SUPPORT: Meevo, Beekeeper, Unfocus
ASSOCIATIONS: ISBN
“One of our longtime employees was the victim to a house fire, in which she also lost her husband. Our team pulled together to raise money to keep her comfortable with all her favorite while helping her pay her bills.”
PANACHE AN AVEDA SALON AND SPA
Saint Augustine, FL
getpanache.com
Kristy Weeks
SQUARE FEET: 3400
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 54
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKINCARE: Aveda, Eminence
NAIL CARE: OPI, SNS
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Vish, Textel
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA
“In our Love Your Mother Unplugged Eco Fashion Show guests sit on the runway for optimal viewing of the fashions created by our team out of trash. We only had 85 tickets for sale and one exclusive sponsorship and raised $15,000 for Matanzas Riverkeepers.”
Erin Raber, owner of Pin-Up Curls in Fort Wayne, Indiana, featured in her fundraising life-size poster with Dancing with the Stars' Maksim Chmerkovskiy.
PIN-UP CURLS
Fort Wayne, IN
pin-upcurls.com
Erin Raber
SQUARE FEET: 4600
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 30
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Eufora, Ref
COLOR: Eufora
SKINCARE: Eminence
NAIL CARE: CND, OPI, Gelish
TECH SUPPORT: Phorest, Mya, Vish
“Our owner Erin was asked to dance in our local Dancing with the Fort Wayne Stars, a big fundraising event for the community. We raised $120,000 to support the event and to make it more fun had a life-size poster of Erin with one of the real dancers from the TV show.”
SALON INSPIRE
Kansas City, MO
saloninspirekc.com
Mandy Pulse
SQUARE FEET: 2900
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 21
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Redken, L’Oréal
COLOR: Redken
NAIL CARE: OPI, CND
TECH SUPPORT: Envision, SalonScale
“Owner Mandy Pulse initiated Global Stylist Scholarship that helps individuals in developing countries who aspire to pursue a career is cosmetology. Secondly, the program helps U.S. stylists join teams that travel to developing countries to share their knowledge and skills.”
The team from Eric Fisher Salon in Wichita, Kansas.
The 2024 SALON TODAY 200 Honorees in Retail and Merchandising
Strong retail sales lead to profitability, but it requires the pull of the entire team. Owners and managers creatively plan promotions and design displays, service providers educate clients and personalize recommendations, and the guest services team helps close the sale.
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Eric and Mary Fisher, owners of the Eric Fisher Salon in Wichita, Kansas, walk the red carpet.
ERIC FISHER SALON
Wichita, KS
ericfishersalon.com
Eric Fisher; Mary Fisher
SQUARE FEET: 4000, 1500, 1500, 1500
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 70
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Kerastase, Kevin.Murphy, Eleven Australia
COLOR: L'Oreal, Goldwell, Pulp Riot
SKINCARE: Image Skincare, Skinceuticals, Hydrafacial
TECH SUPPORT: Phorest, Tippy, Survey Monkey
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA, 2 to 10
“Through Phorest, we collect clients’ birthday months, and at the beginning of the month we send them an email with a coupon for 20% off retail that they can use as many times as they want during their birthday month.”
Owner Inez Gray (front left) and her team from Habitude Salons and Spas in Seattle, Washington.
HABITUDE SALONS AND SPA
Seattle, WA
habitude.com
Inez Gray
SQUARE FEET: 10000, 1200
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 45
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda, Davines, Bumble and Bumble
COLOR: Aveda
SKINCARE: Aveda, Comfort Zone
NAIL CARE: OPI, CND, Spa Ritual
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, FetchRev, Vish
ASSOCIATIONS: ICA, 2 to 10
“Our inventory team is staffed with a buyer who buys for the four major seasons; a merchandiser who changes out displays and end caps, and an inventory lead who does all of the buying, receiving, analytics, budgets and data entry.”
Amy Carter, owner of Solaris Aveda in Evansville, Indiana.
SOLARIS AVEDA
Evansville, IN
solarisaveda.com
Amy Carter
SQUARE FEET: 2300
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 17
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKINCARE: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Vish, Reach
“We have an education fund and if team members sell more than $300 a week in product or .50 PPC, then they receive 10% product commission in their education fund. They love this perk.”
The management team from Sorelli Hair Studio and Spa in Melbourne, Florida.
SORELLI HAIR STUDIO AND SPA
Melbourne, FL
sorellihairstudio.com
Rose Cally & Grace Ruano
SQUARE FEET: 4400
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 35
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Goldwell, Moroccanoil, Davines
COLOR: Goldwell
SKINCARE: Image Skincare, Skinscript
NAIL CARE: Young Nails, OPI, CND
TECH SUPPORT: Meevo, Tippy, Textel, Emma
“We started talking about retail at the beginning of the service, rather than at the end. When you start during the consultation, the client feels as though the concern if for their hair, not trying to close a sale.”
Z STUDIO... THE ART OF HAIR
Tulsa, OK
zstudiotulsa.com
Beau Barbee and Drew Anderssen
SQUARE FEET: 2800, 1500
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 22
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Kevin.Murphy, KMS, Goldwell
COLOR: Goldwell
TECH SUPPORT: Meevo, Tippy
ASSOCIATIONS: Cosmetologists Chicago, ICA
“Every month, we have a promotion for guests that ties into a competition for the team. They guest may receive 15% off a certain line, and the stylist who sells the most will win a $100 gift card, a weekend off or a spa service.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
