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A Partner in Business and in Life
At Janet St. Paul Studio for Hair and Beauty, Director of Operations Natasha McMillen helps bring her wife Janet St. Paul's vision to life, elevating every system from education to operations.
August 19, 2026
Director of Operations Natasha McMillen and Janet St. Paul of Janet St. Paul Studio for Hair and Beauty in Austin, Texas.
Credit:
Janet St. Paul Studio for Hair and Beauty
3 min to read
SALON TODAY's Meet the Manager series celebrates the managers, team leads, and directors in the industry who work to maintain the vision and goals of salons, spas, and barbershops. In today's profile, we meet Natasha McMillen, director of operations at Janet St. Paul Studio for Hair and Beauty in Austin, Texas. Owner Janet St. Paul says that with 13 years of experience with a salon management software company, McMillen combines tech-savvy strategy with hands-on leadership.
The manager: Natasha McMillen, director of operations
Nominated by: Janet St. Paul, owner of Janet St. Paul Studio for Hair and Beauty in Austin, Texas
Date of Hire: February 2022
SALON TODAY:What is McMillen’s experience that made you believe she’d be a good fit for your business?
St. Paul: “Before joining Janet St. Paul Studio, Natasha spent 13 years at Rosy Salon Software, where she worked directly with thousands of salons across the country. Her experience gave her a deep understanding of what makes a salon run at the highest level—from systems and client experience to team culture and profitability. She brings that knowledge into our studio with precision and vision, combining tech-savvy strategy with hands-on leadership.”
ST: What personality characteristics does McMillen have that make her a good manager?
St. Paul: “Natasha brings a rare mix of warmth and directness—she's compassionate, but clear. Her intuition, emotional intelligence, and visionary leadership style help team members feel seen and supported, while also holding everyone to high standards. She leads with integrity, accountability, and heart.”
ST: What are the three most important tasks McMillen handles at the salon?
St. Paul: “1. Hiring and onboarding new talent through a luxury-aligned, selective process. 2. Overseeing all training and education, including custom programs and mentorship. #. Leading brand strategy, client experience initiatives, and marketing execution.”
ST: How is McMillen held accountable for the business’s performance?
St. Paul: “Through daily meetings and business performance reviews, we ensure continuous growth. When areas for improvement are identified, we address them directly and develop actionable plans to achieve our goals.”
ST: How often do you meet with her, and what do you go over?
St. Paul: “We meet daily to align on guest experience, team performance, education, and financial goals. We also hold weekly strategy meetings to review KPIs, vision casting, and expansion opportunities.”
ST: What type of continuing education do you offer this manager?
St. Paul: “Natasha receives executive coaching, attends national salon business conferences, and regularly completes leadership, spiritual, and marketing trainings to stay inspired and innovative.”
ST: How has McMillen helped you personally and professionally?
St. Paul: “As my wife and business partner, Natasha helps bring my vision to life. She's elevated every system—from education to operations—while also helping me stay grounded and aligned as a creative leader. The salon's growth in reputation, profitability, and culture is a direct result of her leadership.”
If you have a manager you'd like to nominate for this series, learn more here.
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