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

BELLEZZA AVANTI SPA/SALON
Wadsworth, OH
bellezzavanti.com
Geri Good
SQUARE FEET: 3800     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 50
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Kerasatase, Pureolog,y Redken
COLOR: Redken, Pulp Riot 
SKINCARE: Eminence, Farmhouse Fresh 
NAIL CARE: OPI, CND, DND
TECH SUPPORT: Envision, Salon SOS  
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA   
“Recently we formed a focus group that includes individuals from each department with different levels of experience. We do an anonymous survey to the whole team about our salon culture, and the focus group identifies the top three concerns and develops a plan of action.”

BLO OUT LOUNGE AND COLOUR BAR
Hamilton, NJ
blooutloungeandcolourbar.com
Caterina Young
SQUARE FEET: 1200     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 23
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Kevin.Murphy, Davines, Bumble and Bumble
COLOR: Davines, Kevin.Murphy, Redken 
TECH SUPPORT: Phorest, Vish  
“Once a potential employee joins our team, we have them choose their values from a list of 30 different ones. I have them define their top three values since we all understand values a little differently. This helps both of understand bigger questions like ‘What are your goals?’” 

BLONDIE'S SALON & SPA
Columbus, IN
blondiescolumbus.com
Lindsey Babinec
SQUARE FEET: 2800     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 15
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Davines, Eleven Depot
COLOR: Davines  
SKINCARE: Comfortzone, PCA Skin 
TECH SUPPORT: Phorest, Vish, Tippy 
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA 
“We use GroupMe for team communication and we have a group chat that is only for ‘Values Shoutouts.’ When someone witnesses a fellow team member embodying our values, they can shout them out. Our team is always looking for ways they can acknowledge each other.” 

CASS AND COMPANY
Avon, IN
Cassandcompanysalon.com
Angi Snodgrass
SQUARE FEET: 3500     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 24
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Kevin.Murphy, Amika, Aveda 
COLOR: Ref, Redken, Oligo Pro
SKINCARE: Image  
TECH SUPPORT: Meevo, Textel, Emma
ASSOCIATIONS: NFIB
“We created the position of Celebrations Director, and this person stays on top of and coordinated any celebrations to be shared with the team such as birthdays, salon anniversaries, babies, weddings, goal achievements and home ownership. This had had a tremendous impact on the sense of belonging in our culture.”

COIFFETERIA SALON
Grand Rapids, MI
coiffeteria.com
Marielle Shuster
SQUARE FEET: 2500     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 14
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda, Kerastase 
COLOR: ColorSpace, Aveda 
SKINCARE: Aveda  
TECH SUPPORT: Boulevard, Vish, Flodesk 
“We scheduled a day to come together to clearly define our core values and commitment to each other and our guests. This is how the Sunflower became our salon symbols, and we established the guiding principles to our culture.”

GINGER BAY SALON SPA
St. Louis, MO
gingerbay.com
Laura A. Ortmann
SQUARE FEET: 10000, 3000    
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 87
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda, L'Anza L’Oreal
COLOR: Aveda, L'Anza L'Oreal 
SKINCARE: Aveda Cosmedix Murad
NAIL CARE: CND, OPI 
TECH SUPPORT: Meevo, Textel, Emma 
ASSOCIATIONS: ICA, PBA  
“We’ve always had great training programs, but since launching our first Associate Program, nothing has had a more positive impact on our culture. It has been perfect for bringing in new stylists but also bridging the gap of understanding between different generations.”  

LET ‘EM HAVE IT SALON
Denver, CO
letemhaveitsalon.com
Kelly Swann
SQUARE FEET: 1200     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 4
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Davines, Innersense, Olaplex
COLOR: Davines, Pulp Riot, Pravana
TECH SUPPORT: Mangomint  
“We operate on a team-based business model which allows us to keep our culture as our number one priority. That pay structure cuts all competition out between our stylists and promotes a collaborative workplace. We believe when one of us wins, we all win.” 

MANGO SALON
Richmond, VA
mangosalon.com
Bobbi & Patrick Heaney
SQUARE FEET: 3000, 2900, 2600   
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 76
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda, Cezanne, Vomor
COLOR: Aveda  
SKINCARE: Aveda  
TECH SUPPORT: Meevo, Emma, Textel, Vish
“We recently filmed a recruitment video and enlisted our team to star in the video. The words were unscripted, coming directly from them. Several times during filming, the director complimented us on the professionalism and enthusiasm of the team.”

MERAKI SALONS
Raleigh, NC
merakisalonnc.com
Michelle Ghassemi
SQUARE FEET: 2712, 1096    
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 22
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Oway, Kevin.Murphy, Innersense
COLOR: Kevin.Murphy 
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Vish, Textel 
“We initiated a ‘Kick Ass Culture VIP’ trophy, that managers and I vote on each month and we announce the winner at monthly team meetings. The winner makes a cute acceptance speech video which are announced on social. They now compete to make the most outrageous video.”

PARIS PARKER SALONS AND SPA
Hammond, LA
parisparker.com
Debra Neill Baker & Edwin Neill
SQUARE FEET: 2320, 930, 3320, 1970, 6830, 8760, 8950, 2800 
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 175
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda 
COLOR: Aveda 
SKINCARE: Aveda 
NAIL CARE: Spa Rituals  
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Vish, Texty
ASSOCIATIONS:   ISBN, PBA, 2 to 10 
“Each of our individual salons has its own culture in addition to our overlying Paris Parker culture, including dress codes. Our downtown location wants to look fashion-forward, and together they created a mood board and color palette with guidance from management to create their own dress code.”

SAVOYE SALON SPA
Suamico, WI
savoyesalonspa.com
Michell Bartlein
SQUARE FEET: 3000     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 8
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda  
COLOR: Aveda  
SKINCARE: Aveda  
TECH SUPPORT: Meevo, Vish, Emma, Mya
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA   
“We have a two-day retreat in February that is tons of fun, while learning and bonding. We also do many activities, including potlucks, birthday celebrations, Peddle Pubs and book clubs. It’s all about connection and getting the team involved in organizing these events.”

SIX TEN SALON & BOUTIQUE
Wind Gap, PA
sixtensalon.com
Ashley Thomas
SQUARE FEET: 6500     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 27
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: R+Co, Ecru 
COLOR: Oligo  
SKINCARE: Glymed  
TECH SUPPORT: Meevo, Vish  
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA   
“Team members actively engage in collaborative decision-making processes that impact the salon’s direction. A notable example was the decision to expand and move to a new building. Through anonymous vote, they collectively determined the feasibility of the move.”

THE CHANGING ROOM
Aventura, FL
ChangingRoomsSalons.com
Justin Gold
SQUARE FEET: 2800     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 32
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Surface, Redken, Matrix
COLOR: Matrix, Redken
TECH SUPPORT: Meevo, Vish, Salon Clouds 
“We do Pulse Checks, a ten-question anonymous survey that allows the team to express how they really feel about the company and suggest ideas. It gives everyone space to be heard without fear of pushback, and it helps management get ahead of the chitter-chatter before it snowballs.”