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
Salon Today 200: COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
What makes a salon a fabulous place to work?
by Salon Today Staff
January 2, 20106 min to read
Charisma Inner Beauty—Outward
Wichita, KS
charismainnerbeauty.com
Bob and Robin Wolfe
SQUARE FEET: 5.000/2.800 (two locations)
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 32
AVERAGE STYLIST INCOME; $40,000-$49.000
CREATIVE BENEFIT: $200 annual equipment allowance
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $39
BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINE: Aveda
COLOR LINE. Aveda
SALON SOFTWARE: Mikal
“We’re lucky to have very loyal employees. We work on being flexible and supportive with our staff and have very low turnover. When we celebrated our 20th year in business last year, we recognized four employees who have been with us the entire time. We even have employees who have left and come back.”
Habitude Salons and Spa
Seattle, WA
habitude.com
Inez Gray
SQUARE FEET: 8,000/1,500 (two locations)
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 98
AVERAGE STYLIST INCOME: $40,000-$49,000
CREATIVE BENEFIT Quarterly Congress educational event
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $125
BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINES: Aveda, Bumble and bumble
COLOR LINE: Aveda
SALON SOFTWARE: Salon Biz
ASSOCIATION: PBA
“Our service providers are double shifted on six-hour blocks which allow them to have a full life outside of work. We have a large staff of mothers who are off by 3 p.m. to pick up their kids. Likewise, a big evening crew of younger night owls are able to go to school in the mornings or dance the night away because they don’t start work until 3 p.m.”
Jolie Salon and Day Spa
Blue Bell, PA
joliespa.com
Peter s. Lee
SQUARE FEET: 6,000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 70
AVERAGE STYLIST INCOME: $70,000-$79,000
CREATIVE BENEFIT: Pizza Saturdays
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $62
BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINES: Enjoy, L’Oréal, Profound
COLOR LINES: Alfa Part, Wella, Redken
SALON SOFTWARE: Milano
“Technicians and staff elect an Advisory Board member from each department. Prior to each board meeting, the members meet with the employees in their department to speak candidly about any concerns, ideas or suggestions. This has been a successful tool in minimizing complaints and gossip.”
Lasting Impression Hair Design
Crystal Lake, IL
lastingimpressionhairdesign.com
Mary Walker
SQUARE FEET: 1,100
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 9
AVERAGE STYLIST INCOME: $40,000-$49,000
CREATIVE BENEFIT: Potential loans with paycheck deductions
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $40
BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINES: Aveda, Private Label
COLOR LINES: Goldwell, Matrix
SALON SOFTWARE: Harms/Millennium
ASSOCIATIONS: Cosmetologists Chicago, MCA, PBA, International Hair Color Exchange
“We have a yearly Savings Club where each team member commits to a dollar amount to put in the club and then on December 1, we give them back their savings club check.”
Rejuvenation Spa
Madison, WI
rejuvenationspa.net
Tina Morschauser and Gretchen Brown
SQUARE FEET: 3,550
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 33
AVERAGE STYLIST INCOME: $30,000-$39,000
CREATIVE BENEFIT: Quarterly wellness days for perfect attendance
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $43
BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINE Aveda
COLOR LINE: Aveda
SALON SOFTWARE: SalonBiz
ASSOCIATIONS: I/SPA, PBA
“Rejuvenation Spa is a Global Salon Business Award winner and recently won Madison Magazine’s ‘Best Place to Work.’ We are a team-based pay salon that provides open-book management where the P&L statement is posted for all to see. We pay out bonuses if and when monthly sales goals are met and we make a profit.”
What makes a salon a fabulous place to work? A team-based environment, competitive salary, attractive benefits and a structure that offers a clear career path. The following ST200 honorees not only had to prove they offered employees an attractive all-around package, but they also had to provide an employee testimonial.
Salonamour
Walnut Creek, CA
salonamouronline.com
Michael and Susan Falcon
SQUARE FEET: 1,200
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 15
AVERAGE STYLIST INCOME: $50,000-$59,000
CREATIVE BENEFIT: Gym memberships
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $70
BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINE: Aveda
COLOR LINE: Aveda
SALON SOFTWARE: STX
ASSOCIATION: NCA, PBA, YBN
“Our joy and purpose for our employees is for them to attain and accomplish their own personal goals. We are known for listening to our staff just as they listen to their guests. Our employees are our greatest asset and we genuinely care for them. We believe people are attracted to our business because we sincerely care about them and their growth.”
Splash Hair Studio
Conshohocken, PA
splashhairstuido.com
Elaine Travis
SQUARE FEET: 1,200
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 10
AVERAGE STYLIST INCOME: $50,000-$59,000
CREATIVE BENEFIT: Annual spa day at Ritz Carlton
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $60
BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINES: Pureology, Enjoy, Icon
COLOR LINES: Wella, Alfa Parf, Eugene Perma
SALON SOFTWARE: Leprechaun
ASSOCIATION: S.O.S.
“Our organized training program creates a clear career path. Stylists track their requests, retention, retail and referrals and are given goals that when reached allows them to move up levels with an increase in price as well as commission. There are seven growth levels, but that’s not the end. The next step is the offer of buying. The next step is the offer of buying stock in the company and joining the leadership team.”
Twin Image Salon Spa
Iowa City, IA
twinimage.com
Doug and Laura Warner
SQUARE FEET: 4,700
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 30
AVERAGE STYLIST INCOME: $40,000-$49,000
CREATIVE BENEFIT: frequent employee surprises
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $40
BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINE: Aveda
COLOR LINE: Aveda
SALON SOFTWARE: Salon Pro
“We like to give our employees fun surprises throughout the year. We bring in breakfast or lunch on busy days. On the birth of a new baby by a staff member, we decorate a window at the front of the salon with the baby’s vitals. We have a fantastic holiday party and a summer lake retreat. It’s all about the simple everyday gestures like a ride to work on a snowy day.”
Tyler Mason Salon Spa
Indianapolis, IN
tylermason.com
Tammie Baker
SQUARE FEET: 5,000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 35
AVERAGE STYLIST INCOME: $30,000-$39,000
CREATIVE BENEFIT: $30 monthly salon/spa credit
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $35
BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINES: Davines, Brocato, Benniefactor
COLOR LINES: Kadus, Davines
SALON SOFTWARE: Salon Biz
ASSOCIATION: Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce
“One of the main reasons we attract top candidates to our salon is because we offer full benefits, which include health, disability, life insurance, 401(k), advanced continuing education, paid apprenticeship program, affiliation with the Indianapolis Colts and a tiered pricing structure that allows for growth.”
Vito Mazza Salon and Spa
Woodbridge, NJ
vitomazza.com
Vito Mazza and Vito Mazza Jr.
SQUARE FEET: 8,500
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 80
AVERAGE STYLIST INCOME: $70,000-$79,000
CREATIVE BENEFIT: Annual ‘Employee Thank You’ party
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $45
BEST-SELLING RETIAL LINES: Scruples, Therapro, Tahe
COLOR LINE: Scruples
SALON SOFTWARE: Mikal
ASSOCIATION: Day Spa Association, Intercoiffure
“We know that if employees are having financial troubles outside the salon, it will be difficult to check them at the front door. We help by offering reduced rates at the local gym, reduced auto rates through a membership insurance group, as well as financial, mortgage and legal assistance.”
“One of the reasons Jolie is a great place to work is encouragement. Encouragement to grow, encouragement to learn, encouragement to have the flexibility to live, encouragement to have a voice, encouragement to have the ability to specialize in your craft.”
—Bianca Raudenbush,
Stylist and Senior Artistic Director
Jolie Salon and Day Spa
Additional Honorees
Aveda Academy Denver, Pure Talent Salons, Denver, CO
Bella Capelli Sanctuario, Westlake, OH
Bijin Salon and Spa, Prairie Village, KS
Blo, Raleigh, NC
Fusion 3 Salon, Pleasanton, CA
Ginger Bay Salon and Spa, St. Louis, MO
Jade Aveda Salon, Greensboro, NC
Paris Parker, Hammond, LA
Mango Salon, Richmond, VA
Mauricio Fregoso Salon, Tucson, AZ
Neroli Salon and Spa, Glendale, WI
Rituals Salon-Spa, Midlothian, VA
Samuel Cole Salon, Raleigh, NC
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