MENU
SEARCHWhen the owners at Genesis Salon and Spa disagree, they believe Manager Kyndell Walker brings the balance helping them find their way to resolution. See why they believe Walker is the perfect manager for carrying out their vision.
Kyndell Walker handles customer service, staff recruitment and hiring, and retail displays at Genesis Salon and Spa.
Genesis Salon and Spa
Kyndell Walker handles customer service, staff recruitment and hiring, and retail displays at Genesis Salon and Spa.
Genesis Salon and Spa
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 Kyndell Walker, manager at Genesis Salon and Spa in Mobile, Alabama. Owners DeAnna Clifton and Sarah Poiroux describe themselves as opposite pieces that fit together perfectly, and they believe Walker adds the balance needed to carry out their vision.
The Manager: Kyndell Walker
Date of Hire: April 2018
Nominated by: DeAnna Clifton and Sarah Poiroux, owners of Genesis Salon and Spa
SALON TODAY:What about Walker’s background made you believe she’d be a good manager for your business?
Poiroux: “Kyndell started with us as a front desk associate. She was promoted to a leadership role when we lost our previous manager. She demonstrated her willingness to do whatever it took to make the customer and service providers happy. She was never officially given the title of manager, our team just started referring to her as such. They respect her and value her, as do we.”
ST: What personality characteristics does this person have that make her a good manager?
Poiroux: “She is very task-oriented. She's thorough. She has amazing customer service skills and a deep understanding that can smooth over even the bumpiest scenarios with customers. She is well respected by our team members. She brings zero drama and has a calming presence. She is detail-oriented and loves merchandising our retail displays and helping decorate the salon and spa seasonally.”
ST: How is Walker compensated?
Poiroux: “She is compensated hourly plus bonuses. We are a Summit Salon, and we utilize their systems for compensation.”
ST: What are the three most important tasks Walker takes on at the salon?
Poiroux: “Customer service and handling unhappy clients, the hiring and firing of staff, and paperwork.”
ST: How is she held accountable for the salon’s performance?
Poiroux: “She is always aware of our budgets and goals. She sits in on all team meetings and PDMs. Being a Summit Salon, we follow their structure for growth and recommendations. Fortunately, Kyndell has never given us a reason to even discuss worst-case scenarios. She's been with us for eight years, and she has always exceeded our expectations. She doesn't want to let us down, so when Genesis isn't performing as well as it should, she jumps in immediately, asking what she can do to help get things back on track. She treats the business as if it's her own.”
ST: How often do you meet with this manager, and what do you go over?
Poiroux: “Every day and everything! She shares the office with us; we joke that we are cubicle buddies (when DeAnna and I aren't on the salon floor). We are very close, and work very well together.”
ST: What types of continuing education do you offer Walker?
Poiroux: “Our Summit coach spends time with her during visits. Kyndell constantly uses any online training or podcasts we have available. She will attend Redken Symposium 2026 with us and participate in their business classes.”
ST: How has Walker helped you grow the salon business?
Poiroux: “Kyndell is both our right AND left hand. She's creative. She keeps the peace. She's encouraging and God-fearing. She builds everyone up, and also keeps us (as owners) grounded. She's the perfect balance in our partnership and helps us reach a mutual resolution if there's ever a disagreement. She shares our values and vision for Genesis Salon and Spa. We adore her and would do anything for her!”
If you have a manager you'd like to nominate for this series, learn more here.
Discover how to create a true “WOW experience” for every client by first building a culture where your team feels engaged, empowered, and inspired. Drawing on Calvin Stovall’s Iconic Framework, this blog explores how salon, spa, and clinic leaders can strengthen culture, elevate customer experience, and build a business that stands out for the long term.
Sponsored by Phorest Salon Software
The wellness industry is growing fast, and salons and barbershops already are an important part of it. In her first blog, Tracy Rado shares where the wellness dollars are heading, and how salon's can grow with this movement.
While salon sales are increasing, owners often feel they're working harder for the same or less profit. Leverage Q2 data from The KIM Report, Alain Audet reveals some of the structural changes that are dampening your growth and why your region and your salon size matters.
Weaknesses in your business are amplified during the Holiday Season. Spark Pro Global's Lucy Randall shows you five things to do now to have the strongest holiday season yet.
In Kati Whitledge's latest blog, she shares how salons have moved away from dress codes and embraced appearance standards. But by removing strict dress codes, some businesses may have unintentionally lowered their appearance standards. Whitledge helps you explain to your team why an appearance standard is important and how to smoothly implement a new appearance policy.
The Small Business Health Care Tax Credit is a non-refundable tax credit for for-profit businesses that provides a financial incentive for eligible employers who offer health insurance coverage to their employees. Leticia Skrabut, Esq., walks you through how to claim that credit.
Developing strong work habits early in one's career supports long-term success in the salon industry. Jesse Linares offers new stylists his top five tips.
Most salon owners have no idea what these numbers are. You can hit record sales and still have a profit problem. The difference comes down to four numbers almost nobody was taught to track.
Sponsored by Strata Salon Systems™
A five-area audit every owner-dependent salon needs to run. You built something that looks successful. Now find out if it can survive without you.
Sponsored by Strata Salon Systems™
Every month you put off fixing the problem, it gets bigger, more expensive, and harder to solve.
Sponsored by Strata Salon Systems™
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.
Expand your color service menu with the Pinstripe technique. Brooks and Brooks' Marlon Hawkins walks you through the technique.
The strongest salons, spas, and med spas know which numbers tell the real story of their business. In this practical guide, Phorest breaks down the five essential KPIs every business should track to improve retention, boost revenue, and make smarter decisions with confidence.
Sponsored by Phorest
At Bella Style Salon in Slidell, Louisiana, Director of Operations Angela Meyer tackles inventory, team management, and guest relations. Read all about her in our latest Meet the Manager.
Starting at Impressions front desk in 2006 when he was 19 years old, General Manager Paul Petrowsky is a seasoned professional who owner Sarah Taylor says is responsible for much of her own success.
Planning is in full swing for the most anticipated events and promotions for the 2026 holidays. As owners share their favorite ways to celebrate, they prove that a carefully planned event can also build culture, increase client loyalty, boost sales, and set a business up for a successful 2027.
When things run amok at Mane Attraction Salon, Owners Chris and Jenny Knudsen say General Manager Sami Hernandez is their go-to resource and ultimate sounding board. Meet Sami in this installment of Meet the Manager.
