MENU
SEARCHDusting retail shelves, folding towels, sweeping the floor—all those thankless daily salon tasks that must be performed but ones that no one wants to do. In this installment of Owners' Forum a reader asks how we get these accomplished at Atelier. I share my story, then turn the tables and invite you to share your own suggestion.
Karie Bennett, stylist, writer and owner of Atelier SalonSpa and Atelier Studio in San Jose, California
Dusting retail shelves, folding towels, sweeping the floor—all those thankless daily salon tasks that must be performed but ones that no one wants to do. In this installment of Owners' Forum a reader asks how we get these accomplished at Atelier.
Dear Karie, How do you handle salon chores—those little pesky jobs that need to get done that you'd love everyone to pitch in on?
—SALON TODAY Reader in Illinois
Great question! I love the teamwork aspect of assigning chores on a rotating wheel, or changing job teams on a monthly basis. But really, I prefer to keep hairstylists styling hair, not washing dishes. And I believe it's my job as a salon owner to put guests in the chairs and spa rooms for the service providers to work their magic on.
I found it to be a huge improvement to hire a "shopkeeper." This option may not work for everyone's budget, but it's important to consider the benefits. My shopkeeper cleans everything, all day, as well as changes accessible light bulbs, etc. She cleans the retail shelves, which frees up the front desk team to make confirmation calls, answer the phones, assemble first-time guest gift bags and check in/out guests, as well as assist guests with their take-home recommendations. She handles most of the laundry and dishes, helped by our assistants, keeps the restroom stocked with paper and hand soap, runs to the store when we need something, and also organizes our storage rooms. So that means the hairstylists can focus on their guests.
Another bonus is that having this service has taken our salon environment to a whole new level. Wherever the guest's eye goes, clean goes. So the guest sees how much care.
I know a stylist's time is valuable, and in my opinion, it's better spend pleasing a guest than washing a dish. Now, if the stylist wasn't booked with guests, and she had the time, and the sink was full of dishes, she should jump in and help. But, as a stylist, if you're not busy with guests all day, you have more important things to work on—like bringing new guests in the door, and making them so happy, they will definitely be back!
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.
