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SEARCHAdding 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.
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.
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.
