MENU
SEARCHAt some point in their career, everyone would love a do-over—a second chance to say what they meant or act with the wisdom they acquire later. In this mindset, we give three beauty professionals the chance to fess up, asking them, “If you had the opportunity to change a decision you’ve made in your professional career, what would you change and why?”
“I’m not sure I would have opened so many locations. I have three adult salon locations and two children’s salons, and juggling so many places and managing such a large staff is definitely challenging. Early on, I was swept up in the day-spa frenzy, and I opened a three-room spa with full body care, massage and nails. The spa industry isn’t my true passion, so over the years that part of my business has dwindled. We now have one spa treatment room for skincare purposes only—no nails and no massage.
“I also think about timing and wonder if knowing what I know now, I might have made a move to become a bigger part of our industry sooner. When I first opened Salon Red at age 24, I was hesitant to even stand in the place of the owner. I remember guests would often wonder and ask their stylist who the owner was not knowing I was two chairs down and right there in the space. For whatever reason—anonymity, confidence or just naivety—I was so focused on building the businesses and creating my family that I didn’t really think about the bigger picture and my potential impact on the salon industry. I’ve only just begun to make my mark.”-JESSICA SOLER, Owner, Salon Red and Salon Red Kids, Atlanta, Georgia,
“I would have made men’s grooming even more of a focus than it is right now. Professionals are beginning to really see what Wahl can offer in terms of both beauty and barber schools and with advanced men’s cutting education. We have always had the right tools for the job, but we just need to educate the community on how to use them even better than we have in the past.” - KIM VO, Owner, Kim Vo Salons,
“I would have started sooner! Although, I was the youngest I could be—legally, that is. I also wish I would have known that there were more possibilities than what were presented to me. My mother was very traditional and wanted me to be a doctor, engineer or lawyer. Though all great fields, they weren’t for me. I really wish there was a pre-cosmetology class during high school.
“A recent survey asked a pool of 80-year-old men and women what advice they would have told their younger selves and most answered the same thing: Be in a career that you love! Once you find what you love to do, work isn’t a four-letter word.” - JIM WAHL, ExecutiveVice President, Wahl Clipper Corporation,
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.
