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SEARCHSALON TODAY puts the spotlight on 17 leaders and entrepreneurs—women who exemplify the new corporate mentality that’s shaping the future of American business.
Years from now, history books will highlight our slice of the timeline as one of this country’s most profound social transformations. As more and more women rise to executive positions within our corporations or forge their own businesses, the fabric of American business is constantly recasting itself into exciting, more intricate patterns.
In the past decade alone, the number of female-owned businesses has escalated substantially. According to the Los Angeles Times, the number of businesses owned by women in the United States has increased 59 percent since 1997. Today, female-owned businesses have an economic impact of $3 trillion in U.S. sales, and create 23 million jobs. “These jobs not only sustain the individual worker, but contribute to the economic security of their families, the economic vitality of their communities and the nation,” says the National Women’s Business Council.
Nowhere is that more apparent than the professional beauty industry, which historically has supported the growth of female-owned businesses. According to the Professional Beauty Association’s 2013 “Economic Snapshot of the Salon Industry Report,” 61 percent of all US salon businesses are owned by women, while only 30 percent of businesses in the overall private sector are female-owned. And, the world of beauty significantly contributes to rewarding jobs for women—84 percent of individuals in personal appearance occupations are women, compared to the fact that women make up 47 percent of the overall US workforce.
With women assuming more leading positions throughout our corporate world, it’s shifting the way America does business. When Arianna Huffington, co-founder and editor in chief of the Huffington Post, addressed salon owners and managers at this year’s PBA Symposium, she eluded to this shift in corporate mentality as the latest development in The New Women’s Revolution. “First women fought for the right to vote, then for equality and equal pay,” she said. “Now they’re changing business. In boardrooms, it’s been common to use war metaphors and sports metaphors when talking about business and your competition, but now language is starting to be more inclusive and talk about concepts like teamwork.”
And, as leaders, women are changing the way today’s business world takes charge. According to a study on women’s leadership by Caliper, successful women leaders are assertive, persuasive empathetic, willing to take risks, outgoing, flexible and have the need to execute. “These qualities combine to create a leadership profile that is much more conductive in today’s diverse workplace, where information is shared freely, collaboration is vital and teamwork distinguishes the best companies,” says the study.
Corporate mentality has progressed from “command-and-control” ( the 1980s) to “empower-and-track” (the 1990s to mid-2000s) to “connect and nurture” (today). For SALON TODAY’s 2013 special women’s issue, we’re celebrating 17 female leaders and entrepreneurs, who’ve embraced this connect and nurture style of leadership to grow themselves, their brands and their companies to new levels of success.
Meet our Enterprising Women of 2013:
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.
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.
The former CFO of Perdue Farms and owner of Hardy Seafood, Terry Owens delivers a wealth of wisdom and strategies for entrepreneurs in his new book, "Business is Simple."
After scaling her single-location salon business, SALON TODAY 200 Honoree Amy Pal recently sold her six-location Whip Salon for seven figures. Using the six Ps for maximizing a business's value, she's ready to help her peers do the same.
Buried inside the One Big Beautiful Bill Act are federal solar tax credit changes that deserve your attention now. Two of the credits that matter most to commercial property owners, the Investment Tax Credit and the Production Tax Credit, are still available, but only if you move fast. A third, the Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Deduction, has a hard termination date that is closer than most people realize.
Up to 40% of hair stylists ghost the salon interview stage, leaving owners trapped playing endless phone tag with uncommitted applicants. This data-driven report breaks down why traditional job boards create recruitment friction and reveals the modern messaging strategies high-growth salons use to get pre-qualified talent to actually show up. Learn how to transition from cold calling to high-conversion conversations that protect your time and fill your chairs.
Sponsored by Beautista
Spit fests, hostile threats, and even an overachieving matchmaker--SALON TODAY readers share their craziest client tales and how their team handled these tough situations with professionalism and grace.
Keeping your appointment book full when clients are in vacation mode takes more than a good Instagram post. It takes a plan. The 2026 Summer Marketing Calendar from Meevo gives salon, spa & med spa owners a month-by-month roadmap with sharp themes, key opportunity dates, and campaign ideas specifically designed for the beauty & wellness industry. Here’s to your summer season working as hard as you do!
Sponsored by Millennium Systems International
AI is transforming the beauty and wellness industry, and the future is about empowering people, not replacing them. Discover how Phorest AI helps salons, spas, and med spas across North America respond faster, personalize every visit, and keep human connection at the heart of the client experience.
Sponsored by Phorest
Owner Michaella Blissett-Williams credits her General Manager Gloria Hortua with [salon] 718's year-over-year, double-digit growth and says she's been able to scale the company to eight locations because she can rely on Hortua to manage daily operations.
Shine Time: Aluram’s High Shine Line Delivers Moisture and Shine with Clean Ingredients
Sponsored by Aluram
Elyse Rogers is an uplifting presence at The Headroom who makes the team feel heard even in stressful situations. Owner Danielle Cherewyk sings her praises in this installment of Meet the Manager.
Despite a slight and predictable decline in client traffic for Q1, resilient pricing power is driving year-over-year revenue growth in salons. The KIM Report's Alain Audet reviews the data and what it's telling us about the state of professional beauty.
Same-store revenue grew just 2% for the second straight year—and new guest visits declined across every segment of the industry. The 2026 Benchmark Report reveals where growth is actually happening, which verticals are pulling ahead, and what the data says about where your business stands right now.
Sponsored by Zenoti
Hair restoration is entering a new era driven by regenerative science. This paper explores how Exosome technology is transforming treatment outcomes by targeting hair loss at a cellular level. Discover why EXOGROW is leading this shift.
Sponsored by Dermapenworld
A salon brand is much more than a logo. In this thought-provoking blog, Leon Alexander, Ph.D., walks you through the difference. SALON TODAY suggests sharing this article with your team and leading a discussion at your next huddle, asking the team to define your business's brand.
