It’s a service provider’s job to take care of clients, but an owner’s job to take care of the team. Salons and spas that offer rewarding compensation and benefits packages and design transparent career paths retain talent longer, which helps them grow faster.

AMP STUDIOS
Leesburg, VA
Anna Michelle Jackson-Petry
SQUARE FEET: 1400     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 17
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $100
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Eufora  
COLOR: Eufora  
SKINCARE: Image  
TECH SUPPORT: Phorest, Mya  
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA, ESON
“One of my proudest moments as an owner was hiring my mother, Margaret, in 2007. After decades in the industry, she finally worked for a salon that offered and paid for half of her health insurance. It felt powerful to right that wrong for the woman who taught me everything I know about hairdressing.”

BELLA LAGO SALON AND MEDSPA
Mooresville, NC
Gabe and Merrisa Barnhardt
SQUARE FEET: 7000,1200    
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 30
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $78
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Kerastase, Aveda, Oribe
COLOR: Aveda  
SKINCARE: SkinCeuticals, Eminence, ZO Skin Health
TECH SUPPORT: Meevo   
“Before, our part-time employees did not receive any benefits, which didn’t feel right. Now, our part-timers get some benefits, too, and the flexibility they need.”

ESCAPE SALON
Nokomis, FL
Lindsey Chapa
SQUARE FEET: 1000     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 11
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $60
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda  
COLOR: Aveda  
SKINCARE: Aveda  
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Mya, Textel 
“With consistent achievement, staff promotions can occur as often as every six months, with a clear and attainable paths for growth.”

LUNA SALON
Tallahassee, FL
Lindsey Young-Bullock and Todd Bullock
SQUARE FEET: 2500     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 14
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $55
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: L'Oréal, Kerastase 
COLOR: L'Oréal, Redken 
TECH SUPPORT: Meevo, Vish, Textel  
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA    
“Any stylist who reaches $25,000 in annual retail sales earns a Louis Vuitton Neverfull Bag. There is no cap on how many stylists can earn a bag. My hope every year is that multiple stylists do!”

MERCER HAIR STUDIO, INC
Summerville, SC
Crystal Mercer
SQUARE FEET: 1560     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 22
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $54
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: L'Anza  
COLOR: L'Anza  
NAIL CARE: CND, DND Gel
TECH SUPPORT: Meevo, Tippy, Vish 
“We offer free mental health counseling, free short-term disability for maternity leave or time away during injury and illness, a free $15,000 life insurance policy, and free telehealth for the employee, their spouse, and children with no copay. These benefits allow our team to care for themselves and their families without fear or financial stress.”

OMAGI SALONSPA
Louisville, KY
Marian Sang
SQUARE FEET: 2500     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 21
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $86
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda  
COLOR: Aveda  
SKINCARE: Aveda, Ultraceuticals 
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Vish
“When we hit our retail/service targets, we don't just say “good job”—we share 10% of the profits with the whole team, including Guest Care. It’s unexpected, and it makes a difference.

PINUP STUDIO
Raleigh, NC
Christina Kirkey
SQUARE FEET: 2500     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 17
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $65
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Amika, K18, Teleties
COLOR: Redken, Kenra, Pulp Riot
TECH SUPPORT: Phorest, Occipital Marketing
“When a stylist moves from one tier to the next, they receive a commission increase. When they move from one level to the next within the same tier, they receive a price increase. This allows stylists to earn more money twice a year, while guests see a price increase only once per year.”

PYURE
Boynton Beach, FL
Luca Boccia and Elan Levy
SQUARE FEET: 3600 3200 2900   
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 100
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $80
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda  
COLOR: Aveda  
SKINCARE: Aveda  
TECH SUPPORT: Zenoti  
ASSOCIATIONS: ICA      
“While we hold firm at 40% commission, every employee who hits the $100K mark within the fiscal year gets a $1K bonus at the beginning of the next year. For cutters who go over $125K or colorists who go over $200K within the year, we reverse the commission split—they get 60 percent and we get 40 percent for the rest of the year.”

SPA NIJOLI AND SALON
Methuen MA
Nicole and David DeRosa
SQUARE FEET: 6000     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 60
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $75
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Bumble and bumble, Oribe, Davines
COLOR: Wella  
SKINCARE: Dermalogica  
NAIL CARE: OPI, Dazzle Dry, TGB
TECH SUPPORT: Meevo 
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA   
“Every quarter, 2% of profits are shared with the front desk team as an incentive, since they do not receive tips or commissions.”

THE SHOPPE AN ALEA MICHELLE SALON
Hudson, OH
Alea Barr
SQUARE FEET: 2700     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 12
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $57
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: JPMS, Moroccanoil
COLOR: JPMS, Wella 
SKINCARE: Farm House Fresh, Image 
NAIL CARE: OPI, DND, CND 
TECH SUPPORT: Meevo, Tippy, Emma 
“We close on Thanksgiving and the day after, and we close Christmas Eve through January 2 for people to spend time with their families. In addition,  they always get Labor Day, Memorial Day, and Fourth of July off.”

ZANDI K SALON
Golden, CO
Nicole Wenz
SQUARE FEET: 1200     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 21
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $65
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda, Eufora, Olaplex
COLOR: Aveda  
TECH SUPPORT: Aura, Mya, SalonScale, First Page
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA   
“Every stylist has a Grow Your Paycheck Every Time! Trello board, which includes daily and weekly habits, our Six-Figure Behaviors, strategies to grow average tickets and client counts, personal development, and even personality tests. These resources and systems put every stylist in control of their growth and paycheck.”