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: TECHNOLOGY
Sophisticated software, paging systems, call centers, communication via social networking—technology continues to shape the way salons do business. These ST honorees have embraced all kinds of advancements and proved that technology boosts the bottom line.
by Salon Today Staff
January 2, 20105 min to read
Adevia Spa Salon
Forest Lake, MN
adeviaspa.com
Shari and Kirby Seil
SQUARE FEET: 4,300/3,800 (two locations)
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 42
SALON SOFTWARE: Harms/Millennium
AUTOMATED SINCE: 1996
WEBSITE ESTABLISHED: 1999
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: 343
BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINE: Aveda
COLOR LINE: Aveda
ASSOCIATION: PBA
“There would be no way to run our company without technology. Our software allows us online booking, e-mail confirmations, points and rewards systems, a referral tree and sophisticated client histories so we can have better customized conversations with our guests."
Avant Salon Spa
Austin, TX
avantsalon.com
Roy and Connie Fredericks
SQUARE FEET: 5,000/2,000/1,600(three locations)
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 60
SALON SOFTWARE: SalonBiz
AUTOMATED SINCE: 1983
WEBSITE ESTABLISHED: 1997
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $60
BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINE: Aveda
COLOR LINE: Aveda
“We have a Google/apps page where all employees can access calendars, e-mail and salon documents. This leads to instant dear communication. From attendance to customer issues, everything is accessible online. With multiple locations within 150 miles of each other, it helps me be on top of everything, and helps my managers, educators and leadership team work together on projects.”
Design 1 Salon Spa
Grand Rapids, MI
design1.com
Larry and Lisa Walt
SQUARE FEET: 6,500/6,500/8,400/7,400 (four locations)
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 143
SALON SOFTWARE: Harms/Millennium
AUTOMATED SINCE: 2001
WEBSITE ESTABLISHED: 1994
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $38
BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINES: Redken. Pureology, Bumble and bumble
COLOR LINES: Redken, Wella
ASSOCIATION: ISBN
“We use our software to track sales, productivity, retention and retail percentages for each staff member. We have standards that must be met—these standards are a great motivator because they must be achieved to reach higher pricing and commission, as well as other rewards such as a Saturday off.”
Gentleman’sQuarters
Denver, CO
gquarters.com
Bill Chrismer
SQUARE FEET: 2,400/2,200 (two locations)
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 20
SALON SOFTWARE: Harms/Millennium
AUTOMATED SINCE: 2000
WEBSITE ESTABLISHED: 2000
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $40
BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINES: American Crew, Therapio Mediceuticals, Nioxin
COLOR LINES: Redken, MiN New York
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA, I/SPA
“From our website guests can take a virtual tour, watch our service providers talk about services, purchase products or gift cards, check their service history and book online or live chat with one of our guest coordinators.”
Fresh Hair Studio
Southampton, PA
freshhairstudiospa.com
Laurie Haney and Deborah Gavin
SQUARE FEET: 3,000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 43
SALON SOFTWARE: Harms/ Millennium
AUTOMATED SINCE: 2002
WEBSITE ESTABLISHED: 2003
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $52
BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINES: Goldwell, KMS, private label
COLOR LINE: Goldwell
ASSOCIATION: PBA
“We use our software to run reports on retention, prebooking, client visit and growth and use these numbers to set goals and help retain or develop business.”
La Jolie Salon
Princeton, NJ
lajoliesalon.com
Sasha Rash
SQUARE FEET: 2,700
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 36
SALON SOFTWARE: Harms/Millennium
AUTOMATED SINCE: 1991
WEBSITE ESTABLISHED: 1999
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $60
BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINES: Aveda, Paul Mitchell
COLOR LINES: Aveda, Paul Mitchell
ASSOCIATION: PBA
“The biggest recent technological leap for us has been the ability to remote access the business. As an owner who lives in a different city than my business, the ability to access all technical measures of the company at any hour of the day helps me be the best leader I can be.”
Light Salon and Spa
Avon, OH
lightsalon.com
Tony Stillings, Patricia Buchek and Nesreen Shalodi
SQUARE FEET: 2,400
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 16
SALON SOFTWARE: SalonBiz
AUTOMATED SINCE: 2005
WEBSITE ESTABLISHED: 2005
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $36
BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINE: Aveda
COLOR LINE: Aveda
ASSOCIATION: ABN
“Technology allows us to focus on revenue-generating initiatives while being able to service our guests. For example, we are able to control missed appointments through e-mail and automated call reminders and have introduced e-coupons for guests who refer friends.”
Sagittarius Salon and Spa
Hagerstown, MD
sagittariussalon.com
Marsha and Jordon Knicley
SQUARE FEET: 5,300
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 35
SALON SOFTWARE: Harms/Millennium
AUTOMATED SINCE: 2004
WEBSITE ESTABLISHED: 2004
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $40
BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINES: Aveda, Bumble and bumble, Wella
COLOR UNES: Wella, Aveda, Redken
ASSOCIATIONS: ABN, The Day Spa Association, Intercoiffure, NCA, PBA
“Team members use portable laptop computers to move among guests who are receiving services and to expedite booking future appointments. While clients are at the salon, they also have access to high-speed internet service.”
Wax Poetic
Burbank, CA
waxpoeticsalon.com
Kerry Hite
SQUARE FEET: 2,800
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 18
SALON SOFTWARE: Harms/Millennium
AUTOMATED SINCE: 2006
WEBSITE ESTABLISHED: 2000
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $51
BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINE: Bumble and bumble
COLOR LINE: Wella
“Individual performance is tracked on master reports that show retail and service sales, piece per guest, pre-booking rates, average ticket, number of new clients, etc. This Information is used in performance evaluations and goal setting and promotions are based on consistent excellence.”
The Wingate Salon and Spa
Stratham, NH
wingatespa.com
Tom and Claire McDermott
SQUARE FEET: 9,000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 45
SALON SOFTWARE: Harms/Millennium
AUTOMATED SINCE: 2002
WEBSITE ESTABLISHED: 2002
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $48
BEST-SELLING RETAIL LINES: Kerastase. CHI, Shu Uemura
COLOR LINE: L’Oréal
ASSOCIATION: The Day Spa Association
“Technology helps us manage all facets of our business. Our software allows all service providers to remotely check their schedules and their individual numbers. This keeps the phone calls from employees to the front desk at a minimum. Technology allows us to keep up and keeps us all on the same page."
“Increasingly, we are using blogs, forums, Facebook, Twitter, Shutterfly and YouTube to build our brand awareness. We recently started producing websites to post on our website to build online community, and we are using flip cameras and software to record fashion shows, show new hairstyles and to share interesting events.”
—Bill Chrismer,
Gentleman’s Quarters
Additional Honorees
Art + Science Salon Spa, Philadelphia, PA
The Charles Penzone Family of Salons, Columbus, OH
Fusion 3 Salon, Pleasanton, CA
Ginger Bay Salon and Spa, St. Louis, MO
Hair Benders Salon, Kingsport, TN
Indigo Salon and Day Spa, Canton, MI
Mango Salon, Richmond, VA
Maude, Herndon, VA
Satori: A Salon/Spa/Shopping Experience, Ithaca, NY
Tangerine Salons, Coppell, TX
Valentino’s Grande Salon, Whitby, Ontario
Wisteria Salon Spa, Greenville, SC
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