MENU
SEARCHMaddie Zirkle started her career on the hospitality desk of Root Salon at the tender age of 15. Now, Salon Director, Zirkle makes clients and team members feel both seen and heard, and Owner Kate Gnaghey says she is "pure gold."
At Root Salon and Spa, Salon Director Maddie Zirkle handles payroll, hiring/onboarding new team members and assisting with the salon's marketing plan.
SALON TODAY's Meet the Manager series celebrates the managers, team leads, and directors in the industry who work to maintain the vision and goals of salons, spas, and barbershops. In today's profile, we meet Maddie Zirkle, who started her career on Root Salon and Spa’s hospitality team when she was just 15 years old. Owner Kate Gnagey says Zirkle understands how to make people feel valuable and seen, while anticipating the needs of both guests and service providers. Zirkle continued to level up on the hospitality team, creating new expectations for the role. Three years ago, she was appointed Salon Director and now manages the salon’s daily systems.
The Manager: Maddie Zirkle, Salon Director
Nominated by: Kate Gnagey, owner of Root Salon and Spa in Wauseon, Ohio
Date of Hire: April 2017
SALON TODAY:What personality characteristics does Zirkle possess that make her a great manager?
Gnagey: “Maddie is soft in her words and carries compassion in her voice, but she is firm. She upholds our Roots Standard and doesn't sway with emotion. She is someone whom I can trust to always respond in a way that I would respect and be proud to back up. While I can trust her fully with our daily systems, guest and team care, I also value that, as we create new systems and practices, she is not just a "yes" voice. She allows for positive conflict that pushes us to make the absolute best choices for the business.”
SALON TODAY:How is Zirkle compensated?
Gnagey: “She is paid an annual salary and receives an education fund.”
SALON TODAY: What are the three most important tasks Zirkle handles at the salon?
Gnagey: Payroll, hiring/onboarding new team members and assisting in our marketing plan.
SALON TODAY: How often do you meet with this manager and what do you go over?
Gnagey: “We meet weekly to go over business numbers, how campaigns are performing, discuss any significant moments during the week and review our planning chart to see what projects need to begin.”
ST: What types of continuing education do you offer this manager?
Gnagey: “We are part of High Performance Salon Academy so she can attend one of those destination trainings for free each year and the Global Leadership Summit two-day training, as well as access personal and business videos from HPSA.”
ST: How has Zirkle helped you grow the business?
Gnagey: “I could not imagine where I would be without Maddie. When I was still offering services, she helped me carry the load. Now that I can focus on the business full-time, I get to do the long-term planning and bigger-picture vision that would often get put aside before. We can say yes to more projects because of this. She also catches little errors in our booking system and other systems that may be slipping through the cracks because she has the time to focus on those little daily details. The small things add up over time, and I know it has protected our revenue. Getting to grow with Maddie (both of us growing together!) has been such a blessing. We have shared so much of our lives as well as our business. She understands the WHY behind why we do things the way we do, and she fiercely protects our why. I am certain there is no other Maddie in the world. She is pure gold.”
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 salon's 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.
The strongest salons, spas, and med spas know which numbers tell the real story of their business. In this practical guide, Phorest breaks down the five essential KPIs every business should track to improve retention, boost revenue, and make smarter decisions with confidence.
Sponsored by Phorest
At Bella Style Salon in Slidell, Louisiana, Director of Operations Angela Meyer tackles inventory, team management, and guest relations. Read all about her in our latest Meet the Manager.
Starting at Impressions front desk in 2006 when he was 19 years old, General Manager Paul Petrowsky is a seasoned professional who owner Sarah Taylor says is responsible for much of her own success.
Planning is in full swing for the most anticipated events and promotions for the 2026 holidays. As owners share their favorite ways to celebrate, they prove that a carefully planned event can also build culture, increase client loyalty, boost sales, and set a business up for a successful 2027.
When things run amok at Mane Attraction Salon, Owners Chris and Jenny Knudsen say General Manager Sami Hernandez is their go-to resource and ultimate sounding board. Meet Sami in this installment of Meet the Manager.
