
You Don't Own a Salon. You Own A Business.
In his latest blog, Leon Alexander Ph.D., challenges industry conventional thinking to help owners add more to their bottom lines.
A summary of the Salons of the Year winners.
IN AN EFFORT TO ELEVATE THE WORLD OF BEAUTY AND SOLIDIFY CLIENT LOYALTY, THIS YEAR’S SALONS OF THE YEAR HONOREES DESIGN THE CLIENT EXPERIENCE RIGHT INTO THE DECOR.
A PLAYFUL IN-SALON PHOTO STUDIO that beckons clients to capture their new looks. Built-in experience centers that encourage retail interaction. Lather lounges that transform the shampoo into a relaxing encounter. Chairside appointment booking and checkout services reminiscent of an Apple Store. Color bars that invite clients into color chemistry, thereby boosting color productivity and profitability.
In a revealing new trend, this year’s SALONS OF THE YEAR not only constructed gorgeous, well-planned and productivity enhancing spaces, they designed salons and spas that wove the client experience right into the decor, thereby elevating customer service and infusing their businesses with a heightened degree of professionalism.
The Judging Process
The judging for SALONS OF THE YEAR takes place in three phases. First, the SALON TODAY team reviews and quali¬ties each of the entries, by examining application forms and photography. Next, a panel of editors and art directors evaluate each entry in further detail, selecting a group of finalists. Finally, the panel of expert judges scrutinize essays and evaluate seven to 10 images from each finalist, scoring them in seven different décor categories. Judge’s scores were combined and used to determine the grand-prize winner, the runners up and the Salons of Distinction.
AT FIRST GLANCE, the interior of Ginger Bay Salon and Spa in Town and Country, Missouri, simply reads gorgeous.
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WHEN SHIN AN MOVED to Chicago from her hometown in Wisconsin in 1993, she met architect and designer Suhail and was immediately inspired by his passion and creative vision.
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WHEN LISA WILLIAMS named her salon, she was inspired by the English tradition of “bespoke” tailoring, a term coined after a group of London tailors who created custom designs for each client.
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RHONDA AND ROD CAVNER admit they take a little secret pleasure in observing new clients as they come into Roca Salon and Spa.
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Salons of Distinction

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.

Expand your color service menu with the Pinstripe technique. Brooks and Brooks' Marlon Hawkins walks you through the technique.