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SEARCHCOMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE guru, and Vice President of Cursor Realty Corp, Willow Shambeck, works directly with renters looking for the perfect salon space. Here he provides SALON TODAY with tips on what salon owners should consider before buying in regards to market, location and incoming costs.
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE guru, and Vice President of Cursor Realty Corp, Willow Shambeck, works directly with renters looking for the perfect salon space. Here he provides SALON TODAY with tips on what salon owners should consider before buying in regards to market, location and incoming costs.
SCOUT YOUR MARKET and know your competition. Who are the strong salons in the area and why? Who are the weak salons in the market and why? Use this information to mold yourself into one of the successful ones.
KNOW CLIENT DEMOGRAPHICS like income levels, age and ethnicity. Then seek the neighborhood that fits within these demographics.
LOCATION IS CRUCIAL. Most customers will only travel five miles to a salon, so find a location close to your target customer.
SHOPPING CENTER ALERT. If you are seeking a shopping center location, be aware of the co-tenants and be sure that you are not competing with their services. For example if you offer nail services, an existing nail salon in the center may have a restriction not allowing you to enter the center. Be sure to ask the owner or leasing person if there are any conflicts.
SIZE OF SALON. Lease rates are based on a per-square-foot price so every square foot of your salon should be utilized and profitable.
PRE-EXISTING SPACE. Due to high incoming costs for a salon (impact fees, plumbing) it is best to find a pre-existing salon space. This can be accomplished by purchasing an existing salon or recently closed/relocated space.
EXPLORE THE MARKET for new retail space. A developer can typically assist with incoming costs by putting your required plumbing in during initial construction.
GET A GOOD REAL ESTATE REPRESENTATIVE. Agents can assist you in your site selection process. They should be experienced in lease negotiation, site selection and be familiar with local codes and market history. They can save you thousands of dollars not to mention time.
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.
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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.
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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.
