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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:
All beauty professionals should know how to identify when a client may need some health guidance. Tracy Rado discusses some common questions that clients ask in the chair, how to advise them, and when to refer them to a specialist.
In his latest blog, Leon Alexander Ph.D., challenges industry conventional thinking to help owners add more to their bottom lines.
In her latest blog, Amy Pal helps you develop your own clear guidelines around complimentary free employee services.
From managing air traffic on busy days to handling frustrated guests' complaints, your front desk team often serves as the salon's emotional shock absorber. From a customer service lesson from the DMV to a list of strategies for caring for your front line, our experts offer ideas for alleviating stress, celebrating wins, and setting goals.
According to the KIM Report, top-line salon revenue appears steady or slightly up, but that growth is driven primarily by service price increases. Beneath the surface, retail performance and client visit frequency (appointment drift) are under real pressure. In his latest blog, Alain Audet offers strategies for keeping your salon's retail sales strong.
Putting your family to work in the salon offers some real tax benefits, but you have you have to play by the rules of the tax code to claim them. Azarvand Tax Law's Leticia Skrabut, Esq., shows you how.
Discover how to create a true “WOW experience” for every client by first building a culture where your team feels engaged, empowered, and inspired. Drawing on Calvin Stovall’s Iconic Framework, this blog explores how salon, spa, and clinic leaders can strengthen culture, elevate customer experience, and build a business that stands out for the long term.
Sponsored by Phorest Salon Software
The wellness industry is growing fast, and salons and barbershops already are an important part of it. In her first blog, Tracy Rado shares where the wellness dollars are heading, and how salons can grow with this movement.
While salon sales are increasing, owners often feel they're working harder for the same or less profit. Leverage Q2 data from The KIM Report, Alain Audet reveals some of the structural changes that are dampening your growth and why your region and your salon size matters.
Weaknesses in your business are amplified during the Holiday Season. Spark Pro Global's Lucy Randall shows you five things to do now to have the strongest holiday season yet.
In Kati Whitledge's latest blog, she shares how salons have moved away from dress codes and embraced appearance standards. But by removing strict dress codes, some businesses may have unintentionally lowered their appearance standards. Whitledge helps you explain to your team why an appearance standard is important and how to smoothly implement a new appearance policy.
The Small Business Health Care Tax Credit is a non-refundable tax credit for for-profit businesses that provides a financial incentive for eligible employers who offer health insurance coverage to their employees. Leticia Skrabut, Esq., walks you through how to claim that credit.
Developing strong work habits early in one's career supports long-term success in the salon industry. Jesse Linares offers new stylists his top five tips.
Most salon owners have no idea what these numbers are. You can hit record sales and still have a profit problem. The difference comes down to four numbers almost nobody was taught to track.
Sponsored by Strata Salon Systems™
A five-area audit every owner-dependent salon needs to run. You built something that looks successful. Now find out if it can survive without you.
Sponsored by Strata Salon Systems™
Every month you put off fixing the problem, it gets bigger, more expensive, and harder to solve.
Sponsored by Strata Salon Systems™
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.
