MENU
SEARCHVibrant color specialist Sydney Lopez @sydneyannlopezhair has more than 100,000 followers on Instagram, but up until a few months ago, she was still running her Denton, Texas, salon using pen and paper. Here, she tells MODERN why she made the switch to Salon Iris business management salon software.
@sydneyannlopezhair
As the beauty industry continues to transform and grow, so do the opportunities for salon professionals. In a world where clients are finding stylists via social media, it only makes sense that beauty pros welcome technology into every aspect of their business.
Vibrant color specialist Sydney Lopez@sydneyannlopezhair has more than 100,000 followers on Instagram, but up until a few months ago, she was still running her Denton, Texas, salon using pen and paper.
“When I graduated cosmetology school, I tried to use my phone’s built-in scheduler, but it was really hard to only see my schedule one day at a time,” Lopez says. “I switched back to paper books because I could see the entire week at a glance and easily flip through it.”
Although there is something to be said about the tried-and-true method of writing and muscle memory, paper calendars can be time-consuming, and the margin for error can be greater.Salon Iris is a business-management platform for hair and nail salons, and barbershops. It aims to simplify scheduling, automate client communications and allow clients to book appointments directly from an Instagram business page.
“I knew transitioning to a salon software would be time-consuming initially as I worked to input each client into the system,” Lopez says. “Once I sat down and did that though, I immediately saw all the benefits. With Salon Iris, I’ve spent so much less time than when I was erasing and rewriting things in my paper book.”
Another benefit of making the transition is increased bookings. So often in the professional beauty industry, time equals money. With a growing field of educational events, trade shows and brand opportunities throughout the country, salon professionals are tasked with making the most of the time they have with clients in their chairs.
“My favorite thing about the Salon Iris software is the ability to easily spot processing opportunities where I can book extra clients,” Lopez says. “The software also sends out text message reminders, which helps prevent situations like double booking. My clients are able to check appointments, rebook and change without having to wait to hear back from me.”
Having salon software in place means tapping into data. Salon Iris gives its users the ability to know in a matter of minutes which services are performing the best while also offering targeted marketing.
“One of my biggest concerns with switching to software was a fear of losing data,” Lopez says. “Salon Iris allows me to sign in on any device, anywhere I need to with the confidence of knowing it’s all saved. Having made the transition to Salon Iris is definitely going to help me to better utilize every moment this year!”
Originally posted on Modern Salon
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.
