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.
by Stacey Soble
Reflecting on NAHA: Salon Pure
Anna Pacitto from Montreal's Salon Pure reflects on what it takes to create a winning NAHA Team of the Year entry.
February 3, 2014
4 min to read
The judging for the 2014 North American Hairstyling Awards judging is now taking place. Have you ever thought about putting a team together in your salon? SALON TODAY talked to three owners who’ve successfully put together teams and won the prestigious NAHA Salon Team of the Year award for an inside look at the process.
Below, Anna Pacitto, co-owner (with Daniel Benoit) of Salon Pure in Montreal (NAHA Salon Team of the Year winner in 2002, 2007 and 2010) weighs in on her experience. Stay tuned for interviews with Allen Ruiz of Jackson Ruiz Salon and Steven Robertson of Lunatic Fringe Salon.
SALON TODAY: How did you choose who worked on your team? How many people were on the team?
Anna Pacitto: It is always difficult because we are a staff of about 80 at PURE (just hair), and so many have exceptional talent. My partner Daniel and I ask all interested to bring forward their ideas on a model, mood board or in a very visual or physical way—not just verbally. We than collectively analyze all the material and ideas.
Sometimes two to three people worked on one look. We usually produce seven to eight looks the day of the shoot, and then Daniel and I decide on the top five shots based on how well they look together as a whole. We all know there are no hard feelings—the end result counts and we use the other shots for other projects.
SALON TODAY: How soon before the deadline did you start developing your concept? What was your timeline like (hiring models, photographer, stylist, make-up, etc.)?
Pacitto: We start about six months before [with the idea process] but only get going right after the Christmas holiday, which is quite tight on the deadline, but we seem to work well under pressure.
In the team category, for all three wins we worked with our own in-house photographer, Ara Sassoonian, an in-house stylist and in-house make-up artists or a couple of artists we work with all the time for various projects, so that part is easy. We are connected to many model agencies and many models are our clients, so that isn’t too difficult, either. I approve all models and I’m very difficult about the final choices.
SALON TODAY: Did you have a specific vision from the start that the team helped execute or was the whole team involved in the concept? What was your creative process like?
Pacitto: The whole team is involved, and like I said earlier, the process is very physical and not just ideas verbally expressed. We want photos, magazine tear sheets, videos, color swatches, actual cuts or styles on live models or fabrics or anything that renders the theme or mood, clearly.
SALON TODAY: What would you do differently if you entered again?
Pacitto: What we do works quite well for us, there is genuine respect for each other and each year the process is more effective and efficient.
SALON TODAY: What do you think set you apart from the others in your category, making you the winner?
Pacitto: We are blessed with so many talented people at Pure and with so many in-house members—we are together constantly, so we are on the same wavelength creatively all year round.
SALON TODAY: How important is the dynamic on the team? Did personalities ever clash? Were disagreements productive in the end?
Pacitto: I really believe that when creative minds get together there is bound to be friction, then sparks, and in the end there is fire and light!
SALON TODAY: What advice would you give to a salon team that’s considering entering this category? Was it a good team-building process?
Pacitto: Daniel and I have been competing forever and we truly believe in how it transforms an ordinary hairstylist into an extraordinary one. Working together as a team creates bonds that last a lifetime. Just do it: Regardless of the outcome, you will gain from the experience.
SALON TODAY: Finally, how did the experience help you in your every day work at the salon?
Pacitto: When you carry a title like NAHA Salon of the Year you have just raised the bar to the highest level and expectations are very high. So when a client sits in your chair, you better deliver the best work and service ever. The results are astonishing.
Interview conducted and story written by Laurel Nelson, contributing editor for SALON TODAY.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
More Salon Management
The Most Wonderful Time in Salons and Spas
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.
by Stacey Soble
Leading with Empathy, Humility and a Mastery of Systems
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.
by Stacey Soble
Pagoda Brings AI-Powered Operations to Skinovatio Medical Spa Locations
Pagoda, a new AI-native operating system for scheduling, payments, patient records, marketing, and client communications, launches at Skinovatio Medical Spa in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
by Staff
How Women are Rewriting the Rules of Grey Hair
At a panel discussion hosted by L’Oréal Professionnel in Paris in early July, French Philosopher Sophie Galabru explored the cultural shift where women are increasingly choosing natural, personalized color results over traditional grey coverage. In an exclusive interview with SALON TODAY, Galabru and L’Oréal Professionnel Colorist Pierrick Beringer discuss this shift and how salons and colorists respond.
by Stacey Soble
Warm Leadership and Analytical Precision
At Salon Blonde, Director of Operations treats the staff as the salon's most important guests, while her wonderful 'nerdy' side, loves data, systems, and numbers. Find out how she makes Salon Blonde tick.
by Stacey Soble
Trotting the Globe, Forging Connections, Fostering Artistic Creativity
In an exclusive interview with SALON TODAY, Salon Owner Salvatore Minardi reflects on his past 18 months as Intercoiffure America Canada's World Talent Exchange Ambassador and how his experiences will help encourage cultural and artistic exchange and support greater engagement between ICA and the global organization Intercoiffure Mondial.
by Stacey Soble
Client Retention Guidebook
Everything you need to know about client retention as a salon owner.
Success Grown from Within
Owner Shelby Bills says her general manager, Sydney Osborne, reminds her of the power of leading with heart. Find out how Osborne became a great leader in our lastest installment of Meet the Manager.
by Stacey Soble
How Salon Leaders Can Process the Pain and Lead Forward When a Team Members Leaves Unethically
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.
How AI Is Closing Revenue Gaps for Salons and Spas
The beauty and wellness businesses pulling ahead aren’t just working harder—they’re using AI to capture demand, personalize pricing, and convert more of every guest interaction into revenue. Here’s what the benchmark data reveals about the growing gap between AI adopters and everyone else.
Sponsored by Zenoti
The Premium Talent Magnet: The Modern Salon Playbook for Attracting Six-Figure Stylists
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
Five Revenue Leaks Hiding in Your Salon
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
The Heartbeat of Zandi K's Success
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.
by Stacey Soble
Rethinking Retail in the Era of E-Commerce
In a world dominated by e-commerce, salon owners push back with proven strategies to increase retail sales while motivating team members to educate their clientele and delighting clients with retail-themed events and clever merchandising displays.
by Stacey Soble
The Harper Ellis Hair Co. Certification Program Teaches Stylists a Smarter, Safer Way to Install Extensions
The company's Concealed Bead Method is raising the bar for what professional extension education can deliver.
by Staff
The Micro-Salon Blueprint: How Kat Scott Quadrupled Income by Maximizing Her Suite
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.
by Staff