MENU
SEARCHNikki Lee and Riawna Capri built their extension business before the category became as prevalant and widely accepted, and they credit it as what allowed them to open their salon, Nine Zero One in West Hollywood, California.
Nikki Lee and Riawna Capri credit their extension business as what allowed them to open their salon, Nine Zero One in West Hollywood, California. (Photo via @riawna)
Nikki Lee and Riawna Capri built their extension business before the segment of the industry was nearly anything like it is today.
When the two were assisting together, they questioned why—unlike cut or color—nobody was really specializing in extensions, aside from the Shelia Stotts of the world. From there, they took a Great Lengths course and became hooked (they have been using the line for almost 13 years). It was also during that initial course they created their tag-team method of application—what they’re now known for—for a quicker service.
From there, Lee says they came up with our own patterns that allowed the hair to lay more naturally and easier for our clients to style. “To be quite honest, we were doing Brittany Murphy's hair, and she could reach her hand in her hair and feel along and tell us if the angle was off,” Lee says. “So she actually really, really helped us figure out what works. That’s how we became known for being able to put in extensions so that other people didn't know our clients were wearing extensions, while maintaining hair health.”
Lee and Capri credit their extension business as what allowed them to open their salon, Nine Zero One in West Hollywood, California.
“Probably the only reason we're really able to drain our savings account in order to open Nine Zero One was because extensions was, and still is, such a big part of our business,” Capri says.
When launching an extension business, first and foremost, wear them yourself! How are you going to sell a potential client on something you’ve never tried?
Beyond that, have other stylists in your salon wear them too. Put extension in a friend’s hair. Whoever is willing to talk about it is a walking billboard for your services.
“Anytime Riawna and I don't have extensions in our hair, I notice that we're not doing as many extensions in the salon," Lee says. “The minute we put it in, everyone's like, ‘I want that hair. I want that hair. I want your hair.’” With social media, your marketing can go one step further. Take advantage of influencers in your area—people comfortable in front of the camera and have a large following. Offer your services to a “model” at-cost. Capri adds, make sure to post before-and-afters of the types of dramatic differences that can be achieved through extensions, and use the appropriate hashtags to attract other potential clients looking for extension services.
Create a portfolio of your work once you have a few “clients” to showcase your talents. Keep it at your station so guests can see the many different looks and uses of extensions.
To watch Lee and Capri put their skills to work, tune into their education channel, where they're offering MODERN readers access to a free episode: https://www.beautycoach.com/episode-27
The extension business is buzzing—how can you be a resource to your hair loss clients looking for a solution.The annual HAIR+ Summit is September 30-October 2 in Atlanta. Read more about your HAIR+ business here.
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.
