MENU
SEARCHA walkout is one of a salon owner’s worst nightmares. It causes the loss of valuable employees, financial ramifications, and often, a reduction in clientele.
A walkout is one of a salon owner’s worst nightmares. It causes the loss of valuable employees, financial ramifications, and often, a reduction in clientele. Not to mention the task of boosting the morale of remaining staff. Unforeseen problems may also occur. For example, a friend of mine recently discovered several stylists and colorists, including her own stylist, walked out on their salon. A couple of weeks later she received a postcard with the name of her stylist’s new salon and she booked a haircut. During the appointment, her stylist revealed a few of the reasons she and the other staffers left, but kept mum about details, citing a pending lawsuit.
A few weeks later, my friend booked an appointment for color at the old salon. In the chair next to her was a stylist having her hair colored. As my friend’s color processed, the stylist and another colorist gossiped about the staffers who had walked out, revealing details of law suits and repeating accusations from both sides.
Not only did the two employees come off as unprofessional, my friend learned things about die lawsuit that turned her off to the salon. While these things may or may not be true, the damage is done.
Steve Izzo, owner of Portfolio, knows all about the damage a walkout can do. With a busy spa, a great benefits package and educational opportunities, Izzo was shocked when two-thirds of his staff left his New Hampshire-based salon. With the help of a consultant and some creative strategizing, he saved his business and now has a prevention plan in place. Turn to page 44 for more on Izzo’s story as well as two other owners’ personal stories of triumph over disaster in “Combating Catastrophe.”
Although having a plan for emergencies is a necessity, a plan for prevention is even more effective. In “Safe Haven” on page 58, experts offer advice on everything from alarm systems to panic buttons to door locks. And on page 64 in “10 Things You Never Thought Would Go Wrong in Your Salon,” owners share stories of unexpected mishaps and how they handled them.
The invaluable tips from owners, insurance experts and consultants in these articles will help you map out a road to recovery should your salon go through a crisis. Use this issue as a reference to keeping your salon secure and your staff and clientele safe.
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.
