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SEARCHWe tip our hats to 2025 SALON TODAY 200 Honorees who are always searching for ways to improve the client experience, including the fun-loving team from Little Fern Salon in Flossmoor, Illinois.
A warm welcome, refreshing beverage and a close personal connection with a client can be as important in retaining her loyalty as the precision of the cut or the dimension of the color. Customer service impacts the overall experience, and salons and spa that master it with each and every visit can boost their overall business.
An owner on the go, Sunny Miller of Adara Spa in Raleigh, North Carolina.
ADARA SPA
Raleigh, NC
adaraspa.com
Sunny Miller
SQUARE FEET: 1074
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 5
SKINCARE: Image Skincare, Hush & Hale
NAIL CARE: OPI, IBD
TECH SUPPORT: Phorest, Tippy
“Every three months, we sit down as a team to review what’s working and what’s not. We gather client feedback, examine how smoothly our processes are running and brainstorm how we can add more value. We revisit our mission to provide a space where everyone feels welcome, and consider new ways to make our clients feel even more special.”
The team from Gadabout SalonSpas and VerVe Salons in their education center in Tucson, Arizona.
GADABOUT SALONSPAS + VERVE SALONS
Tucson, AZ
gadabout.com
Frank and Jana Westerbeke
SQUARE FEET: 3121, 3300, 6000, 5400, 7000, 1940
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 235
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $68
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Kerastase, R+Co, HairArt
COLOR: Wella, Pulp Riot, Min
SKINCARE: Skin Authority, Comfort Zone, Sculpture
NAIL CARE: OPI, Qtica
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Central, Tippy, Laru
ASSOCIATIONS: ICA, ISBN, ISPA, PBA, 2 to 10 Network
“We created a new concept for our front desks modeled after the kitchen island. We eliminated the traditional front desk, because we wanted a centralized gathering place where people feel comfortable conversing. It allows us to stand next to one another and to use the surrounding space to create an energy that welcomes movement, where that means shopping, sitting, enjoying a beverage.”
Kat Riley, owner of Katherine Jon Salon in P)ort Jefferson Station, New York.
KATHERINE JON SALON
Port Jefferson Station, NY
katherinejonsalon.com
Kat Riley
SQUARE FEET: 3600
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 14
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $83
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Eufora
COLOR: Eufora
TECH SUPPORT: Phorest
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA
“We host themed gratitude events for our loyal clients. For example, at our ‘Jamaican Me Beautiful Night,’ we played reggae music, served Jamaican food and rum punch and had special retail promotions. Each guest left with a personalized swag bag with a hand-written gratitude note from their stylists.”
The team from Little Fern Salon from Flossmoor, Illinois.
LITTLE FERN SALON
Flossmoor, IL
littlefernsalon.square.site
Nora Kornblum, Alysia Lambert
SQUARE FEET: 800
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 6
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $55
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Davines, Naturaltech, Milk_shake
COLOR: Davines, Staino, Pravana
TECH SUPPORT: Square, Sunsama
“We stay connected with our guests through our podcast, On the Floor with Little Fern. The podcast keeps them up to date and lets them experience our salon’s warmth, humor and camaraderie from afar. As one client put it, ‘Listening to your three is like wrapping myself in a blanket, laughing and reminding myself not to take me too seriously!’”
MANE ATTRACTION SALON
Phoenix, AZ
maneattractionsalon.com
Chris and Jenny Knudsen
SQUARE FEET: 2376
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 28
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $87
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda, Bumble And bumble
COLOR: Wella, Aveda, Pulp Riot
TECH SUPPORT: Zenoti
“Arizona is hot in the summer and cool in the winter. To be more bespoke in the warm seasons, we offer co-branded cooling ice packs as clients come into the salon. And because our AC works so well, we offer blankets for those guests who are chilled during the shampoo service. Our team is trained to look for cues, but also ask guests what would make them feel more comfortable.”
The team from Salon Blonde in Spring Hill, Tennessee.
SALON BLONDE
Spring Hill, TN
salonblondetn.com
Lora Powell
SQUARE FEET: 2680, 2500
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 38
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $56
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Kerastase, Redken, Pureology
COLOR: Redken, Pulp Riot
SKINCARE: Image
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Vish, Salon Ninja, Mya, Demandforce
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA
“We have a ‘surprise and delight’ budget. At any time, a stylist can request to surprise and delight a guest which a gift that is under $25 for a specific reason such as a birthday, graduation or even just a pick me up. II can be flowers, a gift card or a specific and meaningful gift. Both our guests and stylists love this!”
Amy and Chris Naoum or Salon Naman in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
SALON NAMAN
Rock Hill, SC
salonnaman.com
Amy and Chris Naoum
SQUARE FEET: 2000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 19
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $55
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Kerastase, Redken, Pureology
COLOR: Redken, Pulp Riot
TECH SUPPORT: Daysmart, SalonClouds+
“We have a Recovery System which empowers our team to address any unhappy guest scenarios as they arise in the moment to prevent frustrations from escalating. Even when the guest says the situation is ‘OK’ we follow through letting the guest know they are appreciated and their time is valuable. An example is if a stylist is late to the guest’s reservation, we offer $15 off or a complimentary treatment.”
The team from Salt & Sparrow Salon in Bismarck, North Dakota.
SALT & SPARROW SALON
Bismarck, ND
saltsparrowsalon.com
Alexa & Matt Frank
SQUARE FEET: 4300
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 20
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $55
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
SKINCARE: Aveda
NAIL CARE: Kiara Sky
TECH SUPPORT: Meevo, Vish
“Where our salon is located we get all four seasons, so we try to take into account little things that would be nice each season, such as changing our drink menu to include fall drinks like apple cider, or changing the aroma on our hot towels to a more cooling oil in the summer. We are constantly evaluating our customer experience standards and asking for feedback from guests.”
TANGERINE SALON AND SPA
Murfreesboro, TN
tangerinesalonandspa.com
Jim McCarrall
SQUARE FEET: 4200
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 26
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $55
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda, Vomor, Teleties
COLOR: Aveda
SKINCARE: Aveda
NAIL CARE: OPI
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Textel, Vish
“We realize that everyone comes in carrying something from the outside world and that we needed to address the whole person, not just their hair. So we created a space in our breakroom and stock calming soaking salts and handwritten cards for stylists to grab if a guest needs extra encouragement. Our team members have sent care package to those going through cancer, and baskets of snacks for guests with long service times.”
COME CELEBRATE the 2025 SALON TODAY 200 at our annual Award Dinner, which is part of Data-Driven Salon Summit in Scottsdale, Arizona, Sunday, April 27th. For more information and tickets, visit https://www.datadrivensalon.com/st200.
It's that time of year again: SALON TODAY 200 Application Season! To celebrate our 30th anniversary we have a new best practice category--Talent Recruitment and Retention. Applications due October 31st!
The landmark, photo-based interior design competition has opened its application process. We'd love you to hit us with your best shots!
The landmark, photo-based interior design competition has opened its application process. We'd love you to hit us with your best shots!
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.
