MENU
SEARCHDo you hear jingle bells yet? Most major retailers start debuting their holiday merchandise in October, and it’s the perfect time for you to solidify your special service and retail plans.
Do you hear jingle bells yet? Most major retailers start debuting their holiday merchandise in October, and it’s the perfect time for you to solidify your special service and retail plans. Consider this:
Set the Mood. Get your clients in the holiday frame of mind with some festive décor. Keep it tasteful and make sure decorations compliment your overall décor.
Plan an event. Black out days on the calendar for some holiday-focused, sales-boosting events. Host a Client Appreciation Day to celebrate your most important clients and encourage them to purchase gift cards or retail packages for their good friends. Or, play Santa’s helper and invite your guests to fill out wish lists then invite their spouses and significant others to a special shopping night.
Think Social. Social media expert Kelly Ehlers, of Evoke Brand Strategies suggests salon owners try some social media inspirations. For example, use Facebook to invite fans and followers to an impromptu low-cost, low-fuss holiday celebration. Leverage Foursquare to donate products or services to a local charity each time a guest checks in during the season. Or, post how-to updos on Pinterest and hide a holiday service coupon on your style board.
Feed the Impulse. Think like a retailer and make it as easy as possible for your guests to shop. Put together gift sets of products and wrap them in festive, non-denominational paper. Load your check out counter with easy-to-pickup Stocking Stuffers. Pair your salon and spa cards with a gift item to make the presentation even more appealing.
Create a Glam Squad. Brian Bode, KMS California lead artistic director, cautions that junior stylists and apprentices can get lost in the holiday chaos. “Partner your young stylists with make-up artists and create a Glam Squad, offering services to clients who are attending a special event or holiday party.”
Ramp up Support. Consider bringing in extra staff for the holiday rush or at least during special salon events. College students on holiday break can easily staff giftwrap tables or escort waiting guests to their service provider, lessoning the stress on your front desk team.
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.
