SALON TODAY's Meet the Manager series celebrates the managers, team leads, and directors in the industry who work to maintain the vision and goals of salons, spas, and barbershops. In today's profile, we meet Liz Zavora, sales manager at Refined Beauty in Naperville, Illinois. Owner Jennifer Alvarez recognized the experience Zavora had gained at Ulta Beauty, and scooped her up to manage and coach the Refined Beauty team, tackle inventory, and keep a tight rein over the salon's wedding business. Learn how she's thrived. 

The manager: Liz Zavora, Sales Manager

Nominated by: Jennifer Jade Alvarez, owner of Refined Beauty in Naperville, Illinois

Date of Hire: February 2025

SALON TODAY: What in Zavora’s background made you believe she’d be a good fit for your business? 

Alvarez: “When I was looking for the right leader to help elevate our salon team, I knew I needed someone who could bring both structure and inspiration. Liz stood out immediately. With over a decade of experience managing teams and helping stylists grow their careers, she has a natural ability to support people through challenges while encouraging them to reach their full potential.

“Before joining our small business, Liz worked in a leadership role at Ulta Beauty, where she learned how to manage a high-performing team within a large corporate structure. While our salon is much more intimate and independent, I believed her background at a larger scale would give her the confidence and perspective to thrive in a more flexible, entrepreneurial environment.

“What makes Liz exceptional is her ability to blend that big-picture thinking with the personal touch our salon culture values. She understands how to lead with both empathy and accountability, and that's exactly what our team needs to grow, thrive, and continue delivering an incredible guest experience.”

ST: What personality characteristics does Zavora have that make her a good manager? 

Alvarez: “One of the first things that stood out to me about Liz was her genuine enthusiasm and passion for helping others succeed. She leads with heart and brings a contagious energy to the team, making people feel supported and empowered.

“Liz also has a sharp eye for detail and an impressive ability to analyze and report on performance metrics in ways that actually help the team grow. She doesn't just track progress, she translates the numbers into clear, actionable steps that simplify the path to success. Her ability to break things down and make them feel achievable has been a game-changer for our salon team.

“Liz brings a rare balance of passion and precision. She's approachable, encouraging, and always willing to roll up her sleeves to help someone move forward.”

ST: How is Zavora compensated? 

Alvarez: "Liz isn't just managing from the sidelines—she's fully invested in the salon's success and in each individual on the team. Her compensation includes a base salary along with performance-based bonuses tied to the salon's overall growth and specific booking goals. This structure reflects her commitment to driving results and creating a high-performing, supportive environment. She leads with both accountability and heart, always focused on moving the business forward while lifting others up along the way."

ST: What are the three most important tasks Zavora takes on at the salon? 

Alvarez: “While Liz wears many hats, her three most impactful roles include mentoring and coaching the team to improve performance, managing inventory to ensure we're operating efficiently, and coordinating all things bridal to give our wedding clients a five-star experience.

“Beyond those core responsibilities, Liz goes above and beyond every day. She keeps us aligned with our budget, handles client concerns with professionalism and care, and stays on top of performance reporting—from tracking new client growth to developing retention strategies that keep our salon thriving.

“She's the kind of manager who sees the big picture while never missing the small details. Her leadership keeps our team grounded, focused, and always moving forward.”

ST: How does she hold team members accountable?

Alvarez:” While we're always evolving our systems, Liz plays a key role in creating structure and accountability for our team. She connects with the team daily—keeping everyone informed on where they stand with their individual and team goals, and offers ideas and strategies to help them not only meet but exceed those goals.

“One of the frameworks she uses is the red-yellow-green light method, which helps team members understand their performance at a glance and identify where to focus their energy. She also develops fun, competitive challenges that motivate the team and keep the momentum high.

“Liz makes it a priority to align each person's personal goals with our overall salon objectives, creating a sense of shared ownership and purpose. Her leadership keeps everyone on track, engaged, and striving for growth.”

ST: How often do you meet with Zavora and what do you go over together?

Alvarez: “I meet with Liz on a weekly basis to review key aspects of the business—from performance reports and budget tracking to team reviews, future projects, and new initiatives. These consistent check-ins provide clarity, ensure we're aligned on priorities, and give Liz the space to share her vision and goals for the team.

Her ability to stay focused, organized, and forward-thinking during these meetings plays a big part in the ongoing growth of the salon. Liz is not only accountable for results—she's an active contributor to the strategy behind them.

ST: What types of continuing education do you offer her? 

Alvarez: “Continuing education is a key part of our culture, and Liz is no exception. She consistently seeks out leadership and business training opportunities because she understands that personal and professional growth is essential in a management role. Whether it's learning new strategies to lead the team more effectively or staying up to date on industry trends, Liz is always looking for ways to grow—and that dedication inspires the entire team to do the same.”

ST: How has Zavora helped you grow your business? 

Alvarez: “As a business owner, one of the most important things I've learned is the power of delegation—and Liz has been instrumental in helping me buy back my time. By confidently stepping into key responsibilities, she's allowed me to step away from day-to-day operations and focus on high-impact areas like education, team development, recruiting top talent, and building better systems and processes.

“Because of her leadership, I've been able to shift my focus to future growth opportunities for the company. Liz brings stability, accountability, and trust to her role, which gives me the space and confidence to scale the business strategically. She's more than a manager—she's a true partner in our continued success.

If you have a manager you'd like to nominate for this series, learn more here.