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SEARCHA conversation with Kathy Tomczyk of the Experience Salon and Spa.
My receptionist and my shampoo staff. The first person a guest comes in contact with is very important-my receptionist must do everything necessary to accommodate the client. The shampoo technician leads the client from reception to the shampoo area. Her knowledge of products and soothing manner toward the client makes my job easier when the client gets to my chair.
The best decor investment I made … Is the built-in fireplace in our reception area. On cold days, it is everyone's favorite place to relax while waiting for their services. Our coffee bar is probably the second favorite place among our clientele; it's where we gather for our "girls night out" and bridal parties.
Our best customer service technique is … Our consultations. Everyone is beautiful in his or her own way. Our job is to enhance this beauty with our expertise and knowledge. If they look good, I look good.
When I'm stressed out I … Concentrate on what I can do to make changes in the salon. Making changes gives everyone a new attitude and a new perspective about the salon.
A major challenge I've faced in my career is … Opening my own salon. After being behind the chair for 30 years, I now have to think about the business aspects of the salon. I enjoy working with people and making them look and feel special-but now I have the added challenge of keeping my staff happy as well as the clients.
The last charitable event we hosted was … A "Pink Week," for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Each day we had a promotion to raise money for breast cancer. We also just completed a community service project with the local library; we talked to pre-teens about self-image and how important it is to be healthy and smart about your look. We will be returning to do another program for "Health Week."
The most effective technique we use to sell retail … Is to supply our salon with professional products that can be purchased at salons only. Clients are educated during the service on how to use the products for the best results. We make sure that every client leaves with the products we use; otherwise their results won't be the same at home.
I love what I do because … I love to make people look and feel their best. It is important to me to give them a look that they can maintain themselves.
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.
