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SEARCHWhat do you do to put balance in your life?
Are you constantly struggling to put yourself and your needs back in the everyday equation? Borrow an idea from one of these inspiring owners or send us your own:
“The consistent thing that always keeps me balanced is running first thing in the morning before work—especially when my kids are out of school and I can get right out of bed, throw on my clothes and shoes and hit the road. If I time it just right, I can see the sunrise ... now that's where it's at.”
—Lynn Meyer; Karma Salon; Athens, Georgia
“This past year has seemed overwhelming! I was spread too thin, working too much, taking care of everyone else. I remember the exact moment I decided I just couldn't do it all anymore. I was behind the chair, working on a client, the phone was ringing, there was a walk-in at the reception area, sales rep at the door ... plus I was running 10 minutes late already! I just stopped. Looked around. Took a breath and thought to myself ... this isn't right. I wouldn't ask this of my team, why am I asking this of myself? I had a vision six and a half years ago when I opened my salon that I wouldn't turn into the ‘spread-too-thin team leader.’ And yet, that's exactly what I was. I went home re-read my mission statement, and visualized my ‘ideal salon’ again. My vision after six and a half years was still the same, but I'd fallen behind on my time frame. I decided I had to get a coach and get back on track. The very next morning, first client of the day ... a life coach! It was a sign! We started our sessions the very next week. I had asked him to be my ‘business coach,’ but what I learned at our very first session was that I needed more overall balance, which meant I needed to take care of ME first, so that I'd then be able to take care of other people and other things. What a difference! In such a short time, I feel better, business is stronger, my team is happier and more productive ... it's all in order! And all because I put ME FIRST!”
—Crescent LoMonaco; Salon Monaco; Carpinteria, California
“As soon as my children’s calendars are printed for the school year, I try and take some of the same days off. This allows for some family time and my clients are not affected because the days are blocked off months in advance.”
—Lora Sloan; Touche Salon; Libertyville, Illinois
“Being in a high-stress job and heading up a company, here's what helps me to keep the daily stress at a minimum and that feeling of reward and accomplishment at the end of each day as high as possible.
Work out at least 3-4 times a week Cardio, some weights and stretching to help 'decompress.’ This is great 'alone time' where you set your mind free while doing something good and therapeutic for your well-being.
Leave your work at the salon Once you leave your professional space, focus on the spaces in your personal life that need 'you.' Expand your life circle of friends and acquaintances 'beyond' any work affiliation. There's the 'professional me' and the 'personal me'—two distinctly different entities each needing its own focus and development.”
—Sharon Esche-Irving; Esche & Alexander PR; San Diego, California
“Leaders often feel they must complete everything on their own. It’s simply not realistic. All we end up looking and feeling is crazy. Keep in mind that you didn’t want to wear a clown costume today. Look for ways to save time, energy and money by enlisting the help of others. It may be a friend, co-worker or family member. Openly communicating and delegating to others will ease the stress. People like to help; it makes them feel good. Allow the people in your life to actively participate in the process. When you feel support, you naturally create more grace and ease for yourself."
—Terry Folawn; The Day Spa @ Folawns; San Antonio,Texas
After moving to Colorado and teaching at a cosmetology school, Allison Stock joined Zandi K as a stylist, eventually becoming part of the Leadership Team, Education Team and Master Bridal Team. Today, as Director of Operation, Stock is Owner Nicki Wenz's right hand, managing human resources and operations, education and career development, and coaching and culture.
The company's Concealed Bead Method is raising the bar for what professional extension education can deliver.
Scott maximized her micro-salon by transitioning from stylist to strategic owner, focusing on recruiting and station-sharing. By prioritizing her ownership role over behind-the-chair work, she grew her team to six stylists within the two-chair, 150-square-foot space before eventually moving to a larger facility.
The former CFO of Perdue Farms and owner of Hardy Seafood, Terry Owens delivers a wealth of wisdom and strategies for entrepreneurs in his new book, "Business is Simple."
After scaling her single-location salon business, SALON TODAY 200 Honoree Amy Pal recently sold her six-location Whip Salon for seven figures. Using the six Ps for maximizing a business's value, she's ready to help her peers do the same.
Buried inside the One Big Beautiful Bill Act are federal solar tax credit changes that deserve your attention now. Two of the credits that matter most to commercial property owners, the Investment Tax Credit and the Production Tax Credit, are still available, but only if you move fast. A third, the Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Deduction, has a hard termination date that is closer than most people realize.
Up to 40% of hair stylists ghost the salon interview stage, leaving owners trapped playing endless phone tag with uncommitted applicants. This data-driven report breaks down why traditional job boards create recruitment friction and reveals the modern messaging strategies high-growth salons use to get pre-qualified talent to actually show up. Learn how to transition from cold calling to high-conversion conversations that protect your time and fill your chairs.
Sponsored by Beautista
Spit fests, hostile threats, and even an overachieving matchmaker--SALON TODAY readers share their craziest client tales and how their team handled these tough situations with professionalism and grace.
Keeping your appointment book full when clients are in vacation mode takes more than a good Instagram post. It takes a plan. The 2026 Summer Marketing Calendar from Meevo gives salon, spa & med spa owners a month-by-month roadmap with sharp themes, key opportunity dates, and campaign ideas specifically designed for the beauty & wellness industry. Here’s to your summer season working as hard as you do!
Sponsored by Millennium Systems International
AI is transforming the beauty and wellness industry, and the future is about empowering people, not replacing them. Discover how Phorest AI helps salons, spas, and med spas across North America respond faster, personalize every visit, and keep human connection at the heart of the client experience.
Sponsored by Phorest
Owner Michaella Blissett-Williams credits her General Manager Gloria Hortua with [salon] 718's year-over-year, double-digit growth and says she's been able to scale the company to eight locations because she can rely on Hortua to manage daily operations.
Shine Time: Aluram’s High Shine Line Delivers Moisture and Shine with Clean Ingredients
Sponsored by Aluram
Elyse Rogers is an uplifting presence at The Headroom who makes the team feel heard even in stressful situations. Owner Danielle Cherewyk sings her praises in this installment of Meet the Manager.
Despite a slight and predictable decline in client traffic for Q1, resilient pricing power is driving year-over-year revenue growth in salons. The KIM Report's Alain Audet reviews the data and what it's telling us about the state of professional beauty.
Same-store revenue grew just 2% for the second straight year—and new guest visits declined across every segment of the industry. The 2026 Benchmark Report reveals where growth is actually happening, which verticals are pulling ahead, and what the data says about where your business stands right now.
Sponsored by Zenoti
Hair restoration is entering a new era driven by regenerative science. This paper explores how Exosome technology is transforming treatment outcomes by targeting hair loss at a cellular level. Discover why EXOGROW is leading this shift.
Sponsored by Dermapenworld
A salon brand is much more than a logo. In this thought-provoking blog, Leon Alexander, Ph.D., walks you through the difference. SALON TODAY suggests sharing this article with your team and leading a discussion at your next huddle, asking the team to define your business's brand.
