You Don't Own a Salon. You Own A Business.
In his latest blog, Leon Alexander Ph.D., challenges industry conventional thinking to help owners add more to their bottom lines.
Give Hidden Costs in the Salon the Heave-Ho
Adding more profit to your bottom line is always a good thing, but the New Year is a good time to examine and trim your costs. Often, doing so can have a surprising benefit to the environment.
by Staff
December 16, 2025
3 min to read
Grabbing some well-earned R&R after the all-consuming holidays is essential, but once you’ve got your breath back, January into February is the traditional time to review the health of your business and plan ahead to maximize profit. If the economic climate in 2025 has taught us anything, it’s how important it is to remain diligent on cost management. Good news is that this exercise has surprising benefits for the planet, too.
“Focusing on how to make more money is always important,” says Valorie Tate, founder of Sustain Beauty Co. “Owners should also be analyzing expenses to identify non-essential spending, optimizing operational efficiency through technology and process improvements, and renegotiating terms with vendors and suppliers. Think out of the box and opt for sustainable options available that can help reduce spending.”
Color management technology has exploded within the beauty industry, saving hairdressing businesses thousands of dollars. But it is possible to go a step further by introducing automated mixing alongside color management technology. It makes mixing quick, but also produces a more consistent application with more volume, proven to reduce wastage by up to 30%. The biggest savings come from combining both systems.
Going paperless is not only a great way to show your clientele that you are thinking about the environment, it saves a fortune on printing and waste removal costs. There is no need to print offers or produce paper menus; everything is now available online, while black-and-white boards in-salon let you change your messaging as often as you like without incurring additional expense.
Water conservation will result in fewer dollars spent on utilities and energy as you pour less heated water down the drain. As with color mixers, investing in innovative showerheads will quickly deliver ROI by boosting pressure, refining the water coming out of the tap by filtering impurities, and cutting water and energy use by up to 65%. And remember, higher pressure makes rinsing off color quicker, saving time and giving the client an even better experience.
Improving staff experience can lead to a more stable team and a reduction in absenteeism or resignations, which drain you and your profit. Experienced, talented colleagues are priceless, so rather than cutting your roster, consider using them more effectively. Stop wasting time and demotivating them with chores like laundry and foil prep. Introducing new technology, such as hygienic, biodegradable disposables, will save money and time and eliminate the most unpopular chores in the salon. It also frees your team to be on the floor helping their colleagues between their own appointments.
Reviewing costs is an essential part of running a business that should be done at least once a year. Giving it a sustainability spin during 2026 won’t just save dollars, though. When existing clients and potential new guests consider their options, having a purpose alongside great results will give you the edge over others. So this year, when looking to maximize profitability, keep in mind the health of your team and your planet.
For more ideas on how to optimize expenditure while building sustainability, check out SBCo’s extensive list of free, downloadable Sustainability Resources.
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