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Savvy Salon's Secret Weapon
With more than 17 years of dedication and experience at Savvy Salon and Day Spa, Darlene Odom has been a trusted presence behind the salon's continued success. Here's why salon owners Pat Helmandollar and Lauren Springer call her both the right and left hand of the business.
by Mya Shepard
January 5, 2026
So trusted is Manager Darlene Odom at Savvy Salon and Spa, the owners say she has become both their right and their hands.
Savvy Salon and Spa
2 min to read
Salon Today’s Meet the Manager series celebrates and highlights the managers, team leads, and directors in the industry who work to maintain the vision and goals of salons, barber shops, and spas. In today's profile, meet Darlene Odom, guest coordinator at Savvy Salon and Day Spa in Cornelius, North Carolina. Odom’s background as a hairdresser and balanced leadership style have been a driving force behind Savvy's smooth day-to-day operations.
The manager: Darlene Odom, Guest Services Coordinator
Nominated by: Pat Helmandollar and Lauren Springer, owners of Savvy Salon and Day Spa
Date of Hire: May 2007
SALON TODAY: What is Odom's background/experience that made you believe they'd be a good fit for your business?
Helmandollar: “Darlene was formerly a hairdresser in New York State. She moved to North Carolina and started as our guest services team member, but when the front manager left, she recommended Darlene, and she has been here ever since.”
ST: What personality characteristics does Odom possess that make her a good manager?
Helmandollar:
“She is extremely even-tempered and calm, which makes her the perfect mediator. Her decisions are well-measured and without an emotional impact. Very practical. With her background in the industry, she is practical and fully understands the nuances and expectations of both the guests and employees.”
ST: What are the three most important tasks Odom takes on at the salon?
Helmandollar: "Maintaining smoot operations and coordination, scheduling, and overseeing money management. I would trust her implicitly with anything I own."
ST: How is Odom held accountable for business performance?
Helmandollar: “Darlene is held accountable through monthly manager meetings, periodic one-on-ones, and performance and pay reviews.”
ST: How is Odom compensated?
Helmandollar: “Our salon is a team-based pay salon, and Darlene is paid an hourly rate, plus a management fee. If there is a profit, she shares in the monthly team bonus, which is a great incentive to encourage all team members to go beyond normal expectations with our guests and each other.”
ST: How has she helped you professionally or personally?
Helmandollar: "Personally, she is my left hand and my right hand. The trust is huge. Her judgment is sound, and she is always on the job. She sometimes points out my shortcomings, which are many, I am sure. She is just great, and that is all there is to it.
About the Author:Mya Shepard is a Chicago-based communications graduate with a multimedia journalism background. She draws inspiration for her beauty writing from her time as a salon manager at Salon Lorrene in Palatine, IL. Known on social media as Mya Ame'rie, she shares her perspective on community, beauty and culture.
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