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SEARCHDo you understand the difference between being a manager and being a leader? 124GO's John Palmieri walks you through the subtle differences, illustrating the importance of showing up for your team and creating the environment for them to do their best work.
The following is an except from SALON TODAY's Coaches, Consultants and Business Resources Directory. Visit it for more helpful business guidance and to learn more about John Palmieri, 124Go, and the other beauty business experts.
Do you understand when you need to take a management approach by ensuring you have clearly explained your expectations and desired outcomes? This is a discussion we have often with the leaders we support as both styles are critical to your success and your team’s success.
Leadership is about how you motivate and inspire others to think for themselves, while supporting them along the way by being a sounding board, coach and mentor for your people. It goes without saying that you must role model the behaviors you expect to see in others, as leadership is very much an inside-out job.
Management is often very task-focused, and it is critical that you are clear and concise in your communication as you define what is expected of your people. The definition of management is often described as being more hands-on and being willing to jump into the trenches with your people when they need you.
Leadership is not primarily about what you do, it is more about who you are and how you are showing up for others. It is more about being than doing, more about simplicity than complexity. It is about authenticity and creating an environment where people feel comfortable being themselves.
Managers administer; leaders innovate.
Managers maintain; leaders develop.
Managers focus on systems and structure; leaders focus on people.
Managers rely on control; leaders inspire trust.
Managers have a short-range view; leaders have a long-range perspective.
Managers ask how and when; leaders ask why.
Managers do things right; leaders do the right thing.
The most effective and impactful leaders know how to pivot between leading and managing as both are equally important to create a high-performing culture within an organization. Leaning into only one style will create challenges for individuals and teams, and it will limit your ability to grow upwards on the leadership ladder.
Let’s get growing!
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."
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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.
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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.
