MENU
SEARCHThis month we celebrate the thousands of talented, fierce, passionate, visionary and leading women in our industry.
OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS I’ve attended dozens of stage demonstrations, keynote addresses and panel discussions at professional beauty industry events and shows. And, very often, when our industry’s top artists and experts take the stage, there’s a very soft, yet very perceptible murmur among the audience. Have you heard it?
That low mumble is the women in the audience, whispering to one another, wondering why there are no or so few women on stage before them. After all, in the words of one wise woman profiled in this issue, “This is an industry fueled by women both in revenue and in workforce.” And she’s right. According to the Professional Beauty Association, 84 percent of those in personal appearance occupations are women. And in my personal experience, most of you continue to report that 90 percent or more of your clientele are women.
With that murmur in mind last year, a cover feature from Time caught my eye. The New Sheriffs of Wall Street profiled three powerful women charged with the responsibility of cleaning up this country’s financial mess—a mess the article boldly claimed was mostly created by the men of Wall Street. I clipped the article, and brought it to one of our editorial brainstorming sessions.
After long discussions among our editors, we decided to take a new spin on October’s obligatory “pink theme,” and profile some of this industry’s great female minds, inspiring leaders and cutting-edge artists. In a Jane Austen-esque moment, we determined MODERN SALON would showcase “Women of Style,” while SALON TODAY would spotlight “Women of Substance.” In addition, as a representative of the industry’s only business-focused trade pub, I decided we should take a cold, hard look at the current status of women in business. How far have we come? What’s still holding us back? (See The Concrete Ceiling starting on page 40.)
Spotlight Shy?
Now back to the issue of inequality of women on our professional stages. Some have suggested that our female majority audiences prefer watching male artists. Others claim that as female professionals tend to put their careers on the backburner to tend to the needs of their growing families, they shy away from roles that would require multiple hours outside the traditional workweek and miles and miles of travel.
As I was interviewing our Women of Substance, I developed my own theory. Several of these strong women remarked on how uncomfortable it was to talk about themselves and their accomplishments. I found myself wondering if there was a correlation between that discomfort and the ego-baring experience of displaying your opinions and talents in front of thousands. Then our contributing writer unearthed a statistic that further supported this theory: When a job listing is posted, women will apply if they meet 100 percent of the criteria, while men will apply when they meet just 60 percent.
When it comes to shifting the spotlight to women, we know our October magazines, websites, blogs and videos are only scratching the surface. Our industry is filled with thousands of talented, fierce, passionate, visionary and leading women. This month’s stories are our love letter to all of you.
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.
