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SEARCHThis summer, I had the privilege of attending the first Global Salon Business Forum and Awards in London. Founded by industry leader Paula Kent Meehan, the awards honored salon owners from around the world for their entrepreneurship and business accomplishments. In addition to recognition, the program also offered winners an opportunity to network and learn from each other.
This summer, I had the privilege of attending the first Global Salon Business Forum and Awards in London. Founded by industry leader Paula Kent Meehan, the awards honored salon owners from around the world for their entrepreneurship and business accomplishments. In addition to recognition, the program also offered winners an opportunity to network and learn from each other.
During these networking sessions, many owners shared their success stories with me. Through these conversations, I found they all had one goal in common: the desire to continually improve and grow their businesses.
Ten of the GSB Award winners had something else in common—they have all been featured in the SALON TODAY 200.
Since 1998, the ST 200 has recognized savvy owners who have grown their businesses with innovation, creativity and resourcefulness. At the end of this month, applications for the 2005 ST 200 are due and we’re looking forward to seeing how your salon has grown. If you haven’t filled out your application yet, visit www.modemsalon.com.
To get inspired, read more about this year’s GSB program in “Beauty’s Best” on page 52.
Building a Buzz
Have you ever tried a new restaurant simply because you had a 25-percent discount coupon? Or brought home three necklaces from your favorite boutique instead of one because of a buy-two-get-one-free sale?
There’s no question about it—a good gimmick brings in customers, but it’s great service and quality merchandise that keep them coming back. However, even when business is booming, salon owners sometimes find themselves battling a slow retail month or an after-holiday service slump. To combat these lower revenue times, creative business owners look for new ways to market services and sell products.
This month we asked salon owners to share their most successful marketing and promotion ideas, and they delivered. From makeover packages to retail deals, these 40 marketing concepts could be the solution to your next sales slowdown. Turn to page 36 for the details. Whether you’re a marketing guru or just getting started on a promotions package, you’ll find a new idea to use in your salon.
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.
