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SEARCHAS WE ENTER A NEW YEAR AND A NEW DECADE, SALON TODAY ASKS SALON LEADERS, “WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE?”
“TO CONTINUALLY LEAD BY EXAMPLE.
As a working stylist and owner, it’s difficult to give the client the attention I expect my team to consistently give because of the demands of owning the salon, but because of the economy I’ve needed to work more behind the chair. There is a light at the end that is starting to shine!”
MITCHELL EUBANKS
THE MITCHELL WADE SALON
OVIEDO, FL
“ATTRACTING INDIVIDUALS who are willing to do the work it takes to be successful is difficult for a small salon. It is essential to take the time to nurture the staff, but it’s difficult to take care of our customers’ needs and our staff’s needs without feeling pulled in 40 different directions. Finding and motivating the right people who can also motivate me to keep doing it is the core of that challenge. But we are doing it... slowly but surely, one step at a time!”
RACHEL GLENN
PRINK SALON
CHICAGO, IL
“WE JUST CELEBRATED our 30th anniversary. In the beginning of our business, I developed a system to retain and reward clients for purchasing products and scheduling clients’ next visits before leaving the salon. The 20% of staff that follow the system have grown their clientele; the 80% who do not follow our system still want us to advertise more. The biggest challenge is to get everyone on the bus and focus on the Daryl Christopher system.”
ANGELA GUIDO
DARYL CHRISTOPHER WELLNESS SALON AND DAY SPA
WALTHAM, MA
“THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE I face is having employees recognize they are the sum total of their exposure. If they are slow, it is up to them to improve. If they are busy, it is up to them to mentor those who are not. Take responsibility for who you are and what you are not. Be accountable.”
IAN MARC SMITH
IMAGINE SALON AND SPA
BEDFORD, NS
“MY BIGGEST CHALLENGE is to rise to the occasion and be the boss and mentor my staff deserves. They have entrusted me with their professional development. That is not something any business owner should take lightly. I have an amazingly talented senior staff as well as stylists and colorists new to the industry. It is my job to provide both with the opportunities to make them grow and an environment that is stimulating and nurturing.”
JENNIFER RABIDEAU
HALO SALON AND COLOR LAB
FORT WORTH, TX
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.
