
The Constant
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.
The lives of all salon professionals revolve around the calendar.
The lives of all salon professionals revolve around the calendar. Whether paper or electronic, the appointment books of hairdressers and estheticians contain clients’ visit times and pertinent notes, while salon owners mark dates to prepare taxes, complete budgets, pay bills, hold staff meetings, order products, place ads and perform myriad other tasks that must be done on time.
January
Most likely you and your staff have at least one New Year’s resolution in common—to turn a bigger profit in 2008 than ever before. That requires some serious goal-setting. Try designing a datebook for you and your staff! Below, we’re starting you off with a few ideas for January:
January 3-5: Down comes the holiday tree! Replace holly and tinsel with a cottony-white display of skin care creams to battle dry skin. Run a retail special for clients who book manicures, pedicures or facials.
January 6-7: Review last year’s Valentine’s Day sales and order appropriate supplies of gift cards, baskets and products. For a fragrant twist on hearts-and-flowers decorating, stock up on soap roses and rose petals in reds or pastels. Your decorations will double as popular retail items! And don’t forget to start booking those couples massages. Market them to male clients for a Valentine’s Day gift his sweetheart won’t forget!
January 12-14: Send your best clients an incentive to refer potential regulars for 2008—a half-off pedicure when they bring in a friend, or a coupon good for a bottle of shampoo when they send in two referrals for services. And if they pre-book for their next appointment, offer a 10% discount on retail.
January 17-18: Start advertising your Valentine’s Day packages and specials. Whether you offer a cozy couples massage, yummy chocolate pedicure or full makeover and photo session, get the word out through the local paper, radio spots, direct mail and your website. Did you create a database of customers who bought holiday gift certificates? Tap into it and send them an update about your Valentine’s Day offerings.
January 25-29: The summer’s brides are already planning, so you should be, too. Take a booth in a bridal show, and call your local bridal magazine or the newspaper’s Sunday supplement to find out the advertising deadlines. Entice brides to be and their bridal parties with little extras like champagne and strawberries, early hours or a private room.

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.

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Everything you need to know about client retention as a salon owner.

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In her latest blog, Kati Whitledge identifies the five stages salon owners go through when a team member leaves the salon unethically, offering advice for each stage.

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Sponsored by Zenoti
Stop chasing recruitment ghosts on generic job boards and start curating an elite team. Discover the framework that top-tier salons use to bypass phone tag, automate visual portfolio vetting, and attract high-earning, culture-first beauty professionals directly through real-time messaging. Turn your recruitment process into an exclusive brand invitation that keeps your highest-ticket chairs permanently filled.
Sponsored by Beautista
Your calendar looks full, but is all of that demand actually converting to revenue? From phantom rebookings to underpriced peak hours, the 2026 Benchmark Report exposes five revenue leaks that most beauty and wellness businesses don’t even know they have.
Sponsored by Zenoti

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.

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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.