
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.
Hardwater can impact your service results because a buildup of metals can dull hair, cause it to droop and change color results. For Water Quality Month, Ecoheads drafted a water quality map so you can understand how this issue impacts you.

Curious is you live in an extremely hard water area? Check out this map of the hardest water across the United States.
Water is vital to the success of the beauty industry but, as National Water Quality Month will highlight this August, not every salon has equal access to good water, and not just because of the drought. For many, what comes out of the faucet is poor quality and it can be more damaging to beauty services than beneficial.
“Huge swathes of the country are battling severe mineralization and that has a direct impact on the success of services salons offer,” says Valorie Tate from Sustain Beauty Co, which monitors risks to salon sustainability. “A build-up of metals is no good for your equipment or, more importantly, your clients’ hair. Build-up can dull hair and cause it to droop.”
Despite efforts since the 1970s to protect water quality and the establishment of National Water Quality Month in 2005 by the Environmental Protection Agency, ongoing lack of infrastructure investment, drought and geography have compounded the challenge of getting adequate water into homes and businesses. New research from Sustain Beauty Co shows that the worst affected areas are in the center of the country. It also suggests that only a small section actually has access to really good water.
“It’s clearly not a level playing field. Our map proves that where you are based directly impacts on the service you deliver,” adds Tate. “We began researching water quality to help us develop the tools to ensure the sustainability of salon businesses alongside the planet, but we were shocked to find such variation across the country. Using Ecoheads showerheads can help some dodge the geographical minefield they face, by filtering the worst of the minerals. But for the really bad areas, we developed the Ecoheads Black Edition that has additional filtration.”
Salons that have fitted Ecoheads on their basins have also benefited by saving water – as much as 65% - with the knock on effect of lower energy costs saved from heating less water. ECOHEADS also pumps up the pressure through its unique system, speeding up rinse times and improving client satisfaction.
Find out more about water quality and Ecoheads.

In his latest blog, Leon Alexander Ph.D., challenges industry conventional thinking to help owners add more to their bottom lines.

In her latest blog, Amy Pal helps you develop your own clear guidelines around complimentary free employee services.

From managing air traffic on busy days to handling frustrated guests' complaints, your front desk team often serves as the salon's emotional shock absorber. From a customer service lesson from the DMV to a list of strategies for caring for your front line, our experts offer ideas for alleviating stress, celebrating wins, and setting goals.

According to the KIM Report, top-line salon revenue appears steady or slightly up, but that growth is driven primarily by service price increases. Beneath the surface, retail performance and client visit frequency (appointment drift) are under real pressure. In his latest blog, Alain Audet offers strategies for keeping your salon's retail sales strong.

Putting your family to work in the salon offers some real tax benefits, but you have you have to play by the rules of the tax code to claim them. Azarvand Tax Law's Leticia Skrabut, Esq., shows you how.

Discover how to create a true “WOW experience” for every client by first building a culture where your team feels engaged, empowered, and inspired. Drawing on Calvin Stovall’s Iconic Framework, this blog explores how salon, spa, and clinic leaders can strengthen culture, elevate customer experience, and build a business that stands out for the long term.
Sponsored by Phorest Salon Software

The wellness industry is growing fast, and salons and barbershops already are an important part of it. In her first blog, Tracy Rado shares where the wellness dollars are heading, and how salons can grow with this movement.

While salon sales are increasing, owners often feel they're working harder for the same or less profit. Leverage Q2 data from The KIM Report, Alain Audet reveals some of the structural changes that are dampening your growth and why your region and your salon size matters.

Weaknesses in your business are amplified during the Holiday Season. Spark Pro Global's Lucy Randall shows you five things to do now to have the strongest holiday season yet.

In Kati Whitledge's latest blog, she shares how salons have moved away from dress codes and embraced appearance standards. But by removing strict dress codes, some businesses may have unintentionally lowered their appearance standards. Whitledge helps you explain to your team why an appearance standard is important and how to smoothly implement a new appearance policy.

The Small Business Health Care Tax Credit is a non-refundable tax credit for for-profit businesses that provides a financial incentive for eligible employers who offer health insurance coverage to their employees. Leticia Skrabut, Esq., walks you through how to claim that credit.

Developing strong work habits early in one's career supports long-term success in the salon industry. Jesse Linares offers new stylists his top five tips.

Most salon owners have no idea what these numbers are. You can hit record sales and still have a profit problem. The difference comes down to four numbers almost nobody was taught to track.
Sponsored by Strata Salon Systems™

A five-area audit every owner-dependent salon needs to run. You built something that looks successful. Now find out if it can survive without you.
Sponsored by Strata Salon Systems™

Every month you put off fixing the problem, it gets bigger, more expensive, and harder to solve.
Sponsored by Strata Salon Systems™

At Janet St. Paul Studio for Hair and Beauty, Director of Operations Natasha McMillen helps bring her wife Janet St. Paul's vision to life, elevating every system from education to operations.

Expand your color service menu with the Pinstripe technique. Brooks and Brooks' Marlon Hawkins walks you through the technique.