
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.
The move by Instagram this week to introduce bite-sized video will accelerate the seismic shift to communicating via film and online, and provide a new platform to showcase the skills of the beauty industry, predicts social media expert Valorie Reavis of Linkup Marketing.

The move by Instagram this week to introduce bite-sized video will accelerate the seismic shift to communicating via film and online, and provide a new platform to showcase the skills of the beauty industry, predicts social media expert Valorie Reavis of Linkup Marketing.
Instagram’s answer to Twitter’s Vine app, revealed earlier this week, will enable users to make 15-second films and even add the additional filters that made the network famous. More than 130 million users are currently active on Instagram, bought by Facebook in 2012, creating beautiful still pictures using the networks filters. Now they will be able to make videos.
"According to Instagram this has been two years in development," explains Reavis, who is also the creator of social network management system The Shout Lounge. "With this and Vine, it shows the networks are convinced video is the new way to communicate. In such a visual industry as beauty, being able to showcase the craft in bite-sized videos is hugely powerful."
The potential of Instagram’s video app lies in its ability to dress up the films with filters, making ad hoc footage shot quickly in-salon look less harsh. And at 15 seconds, it is long enough to showcase new colour techniques or some magic manicures, but not so long that the viewer gets bored.
"Both Vine and Instagram are incredibly user-friendly and, and because of the stop/start functionality, can make really exciting little films that are perfect for this industry,’ added Reavis. "We are going to see a lot more of these instant films in salon communications, on the networks and via the website."

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.