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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:
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.
Expand your color service menu with the Pinstripe technique. Brooks and Brooks' Marlon Hawkins walks you through the technique.
The strongest salons, spas, and med spas know which numbers tell the real story of their business. In this practical guide, Phorest breaks down the five essential KPIs every business should track to improve retention, boost revenue, and make smarter decisions with confidence.
Sponsored by Phorest
At Bella Style Salon in Slidell, Louisiana, Director of Operations Angela Meyer tackles inventory, team management, and guest relations. Read all about her in our latest Meet the Manager.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Everything you need to know about client retention as a salon owner.
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.
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.
