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.
Personal Compass: Amanda Hair
One might say Amanda Hair’s last name foretold her destiny.As early as high school, the entrepreneurial-minded Hair worked in retail, becoming a store manager before she could legally buy a beer. But as a client at the Bob Steele Salon in ...
February 15, 2016
Amanda Hair, owner of Bob Steele Salons in Atlanta, with her husband Michael and her daughter Mia Rose.
4 min to read
One might say Amanda Hair’s last name foretold her destiny.
As early as high school, the entrepreneurial-minded Hair worked in retail, becoming a store manager before she could legally buy a beer. But as a client at the Bob Steele Salon in Atlanta, Georgia, Hair was wooed by the warm, friendly vibe at the salon, and briefly considered becoming a stylist herself, just to have the chance to work in that atmosphere. Before she could enroll in cosmetology school, she discovered the salon had an opening for a personnel manager, and Hair applied and was hired.
Hair quickly became indispensable to the salon, and the salon’s owner Bob Steele offered her the opportunity to become a co-owner in 2004. Together, they expanded from one to three locations. And, in 2009, Hair took over as CEO of the salon business when Steele retired and she purchased his remaining shares in the company. The company has since expanded two of the three locations and opened a fourth.
Not one to be satisfied with the busy-ness of being a multi-location salon owner, Hair also sits as the chair for The 2 to 10 Project (2to10project.com), is a member of Vistage International (Vistage.com), as well as a member of the Chamber of Commerce.
As full as her professional life is though, Hair considers her time best spent with her husband, Michael, and her daughter, Mia Rose.
In this month’s Personal Compass, we take a close look at what makes this power woman tick:
What time is your alarm set?
6:30 a.m.
What’s for breakfast?
Coffee and a banana, with either a granola bar smeared with natural peanut butter or a Greek yogurt with honey and granola.
First item you cross off your list of things to do?
Get my 10-year old daughter ready for school.
What time do you go into the salons?
My home base is our Salon Support Center, where we house our call center and support team offices. On an office day, I shoot to be there at 10 a.m., after doing about an hour of prep work at home. On salon days, it depends on what is on my calendar—for example, team meetings or reviews.
What’s for lunch?
My faves are hummus with feta and olives on pita, a Greek salad or a JJBLT from Jimmy Johns.
Daily fitness ritual?
This is a constant challenge. I try to jog regularly, but am looking for an accountability buddy. Any takers?
Biggest waste of time?
When I travel to the salons, traffic. I recently moved our Salon Support Center 3.6 miles from my house and that has saved me 80 minutes a day on office days.
What do you love to do when slacking off is and option?
I love watching movies, baking and shopping with my daughter. During the summer, when she attends summer camp, my husband and I enjoy time together on a beach somewhere.
When do you get your best ideas?
In the shower. I think it’s the negative ions…similar to waves crashing at the beach.
Tell me something that would surprise me about you.
From 6th to 11th grades, I played the alto saxophone. In high school, I was in the marching band until my senior year.
Cat, dog or something else?
Dog, all the way. I have a little Jack Russell named Macy Mae who is seven months old.
Do you cook? What’s your favorite meal?
Yes, I cook often. On special occasions, I step into my southern roots and make fried chicken.
What time to you go to sleep?
11:11 p.m. with a wish.
What do you love about your life?
What’s not to love? Every day brings new challenges that keep me engaged. A new lesson. I’m in a constant state of learning.
What would you tell your 18-year-old self?
I’ve learned you don’t know what is possible until you see it for yourself. I had a big ‘aha’ in 2011 when we were invited to take part in the 2 to 10 Project. From their research study, I received a scorecard which compared my company’s performance to other multi-location salons, and what an eye opener! When you are aware of the possibilities, your goals become bigger.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
More Salon Management
Are Your Stylists Doing Free Hair on Your Time? Introducing the 'Win-Win' Staff Services Playbook
In her latest blog, Amy Pal helps you develop your own clear guidelines around complimentary free employee services.
Caring for Your Caregivers at the Front Desk
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.
by Stacey Soble
What's Really Happening with Salon Retail and How to Reclaim Your Revenue
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.
Trimming Your Tax Bill by Putting Family on the Payroll
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.
The Art of the WOW Experience
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
Why Wellness Belongs on Your Salon's Growth Plan
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.
Why Your Revenue Looks Good But Your Business Feels Stressed and What to Do About It
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.
Why Your Holiday Season is Won in September
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.
Appearance Standards are the New Dress Code
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.
Working Through the Gray Areas of the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit
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.
5 Things Every New Stylist Should Learn Early
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.
The Four Numbers Every Salon Owner Should Know
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™
Your Salon Can't Survive Without You. That's the Problem.
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™
Waiting for the Right Time Is a Decision. Here's What It's Costing You.
Every month you put off fixing the problem, it gets bigger, more expensive, and harder to solve.
Sponsored by Strata Salon Systems™
A Partner in Business and in Life
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.
by Stacey Soble
Back to Business with the Pinstripe Trend
Expand your color service menu with the Pinstripe technique. Brooks and Brooks' Marlon Hawkins walks you through the technique.
by Stacey Soble