Salon Today’s Meet the Manager series celebrates and highlights the managers, team leads, and directors in the industry who work to maintain the vision and goals of salons, barber shops, and spas. In today's profile, meet Danielle Florestant. Fluorestant uses her background in education to foster growth and a positive environment within the walls of Hi Texture Hair Salon in Lawrenceville, Georgia. 

Manager: Danielle Florestant, Salon Manager

Nominated By: India Bertin, Hi Texture Hair Salon, Lawrenceville, Georgia

Date of hire: September 2021

Salon Today: What are the three most important tasks Florestant takes on at the salon?

Bertin: "The first task is team development and education. Danielle plays a role in hiring, onboarding, and mentoring new stylists, ensuring they receive consistent training, support, and feedback. She leads in-salon education sessions and cultivates a culture of continuous learning.

"Second is daily operations and client experience. Danielle oversees day-to-day operations, from managing the schedule and ensuring smooth client flow to handling guest relations and resolving concerns. Her attention to detail helps maintain a high standard of service.

"The third task is team culture and morale. Danielle is the heart of our team's culture. She keeps morale high through regular check-ins, recognition, and by promoting open communication. Her leadership helps cultivate a positive, unified, and motivated team environment."

ST: What is Florestant’s specific background/experience that made you believe she'd be a good fit for your business? 

Bertin: "Danielle brings a unique blend of experience in both education and the beauty industry. Originally, Danielle spent 15 years as a full-time hairstylist but left the industry to pursue a master's degree in education and began teaching middle school. However, her passion for hair never faded, and she returned to the salon part-time to supplement her income. Danielle's natural leadership and background in education and cosmetology made her a standout team member. Within a few months of her return, she stepped into a part-time manager role, where she quickly began to positively influence our team culture and operations. In late 2022, she saw the long-term career opportunities our business model could offer and decided to join us as our full-time salon manager. Her journey is a testament to the fact that with the right structure and vision, a fulfilling, long-term career in the salon industry is absolutely possible."

ST:What personality characteristics does Florestant have that make her a good manager?

Bertin: "Danielle leads with positivity and purpose. Her natural leadership skills create a supportive, motivating environment where our team feels empowered to grow. She is deeply passionate about both hair and education, which shows in the way she pours into new stylists through mentorship, training, and encouragement. Danielle is always willing to listen, guide, and help others reach their potential which makes her a strong and respected leader within our salon."

ST: How is Florestant held accountable for the business's performance?

Bertin: "Danielle is held accountable through clearly defined performance metrics tied to salon goals, including client satisfaction, retail sales, and service growth. We also track her effectiveness of personal and team development goal setting through team feedback, training completion, and overall salon performance. 

ST: Does the Florissant receive a bonus based on the salon's productivity/profitability?

Bertin: "Yes."

ST: What type of continued education do you provide Florestant? 

Bertin: "We invest in Danielle's growth through ongoing leadership training, primarily through Summit Salon Business Center. She participates in leadership development workshops, coaching calls, and business seminars designed to strengthen her skills in communication, team management and salon operations. We also support her attendance at industry events and trainings to stay current on trends and best practices in both education and salon management."

ST: How has she helped you grow your salon?

Bertin: "Danielle has supported me in more ways than I can count. Personally, she has helped me grow as a leader by teaching me the power of delegation and reminding me that I don't have to do it all alone. She challenges and encourages me to grow, helping me find a healthier balance between my work and home life. Professionally, her consistency and leadership have brought much-needed stability to the salon. I've stepped away from being behind the chair, Danielle has become the anchor on the salon floor—providing daily leadership, maintaining structure, and offering a strong sense of relatability and support to the team. Her presence has not only allowed the business to thrive, but it's also allowed me to dream bigger and lead more strategically."

About the Author: Mya Shepard, a Chicago-based communications graduate with a multimedia journalism background, draws inspiration for her beauty writing from her time as a salon manager at Salon Lorrene in Palatine, IL. Known on social media as Mya Ame'rie, she shares her perspective on community, beauty and culture.