Bella Style Salon's Ride or Die
At Bella Style Salon in Slidell, Louisiana, Director of Operations Angela Meyer tackles inventory, team management, and guest relations. Read all about her in our latest Meet the Manager.
by Stacey Soble
SOTY 2014: HC Studio
HC Studio in Brookline, MA, captures a Salon of Distinction award in the 2014 Salons of the Year.
May 23, 2014
1/10
3 min to read
2nd Runner-Up: HC Studio
Susan Healy had multiple goals when renovating her HC Studio in Brookline, Massachusetts. She wanted to expand productivity by introducing an additional styling station and shampoo chair and she hoped to increase retail space and seating in both the reception and processing areas, all without compromising the flow and functionality of the space.
“We worked with an amazing designer who understood the scope of the project and took an extremely creative approach while adhering to all the restrictions in color, texture and scale, and the finished result is fluid and functional,” said Healy.
In the reception area, classically designed seating for seven is strategically positioned amidst the illuminated retail shelves. The space incorporates a sleek, custom-made reception desk with an elegant chandelier overhead, which enhances the client’s first impression. “The rich, chocolate-colored flooring was intentionally placed to run perpendicular to the length of the salon, giving a very cozy feel while opening up the space,” said Healy.
In the cutting area, six stand-alone mirrors are placed at an angle, proving an intimate experience for each guest, and soft ambient lighting built into each mirror removes shadows to compliment finished looks. Each station has a perfectly appointed hook to hang even the heaviest handbag and a pull-out shelf with a docking station for an iPad. An eight-foot-long, waterfall table custom-made from Caesarstone comfortably seats eight color clients during processing. “It’s the perfect place to relax, work, lounge, chat or keep up with what is new in the salon with our state-of-the-art media center,” said Healy.
Since space was limited, every inch of the redesign was carefully considered. The backroom/break area was moved downstairs, freeing up 150 square feet of usable space and creating a shampoo lounge with four sinks. Retail units became wall dividers, and all furniture was custom designed and surfaces were chosen based on form and function.
“As a split shift salon, we can maximize the earning potential for each chair,” said Healy. “We are open 64 hours per week and comfortalbe employe 15 stylists with room to gro. With our eight chairs we were seeing an average of 420 clients per week—now with nine chairs, we have the potential to see 540 clients a week!”
Remodeled: August 2013
Salon style: Transitional, Urban, Elegance
Square footage: 1,200
Stations: 9
Treatment Rooms: NA
Equipment: Maletti
Furniture: RG Shakour Interiors
Total design investment: $247,000
Retail: Kerastase, Shu Uemura, L'Oreal
Color line: L'Oreal, Pravana
Design by: Tracy Mowschenson/Tracy Interiors
Architects: Construction MLB
Photography: Chelsea Kyle
Owners’ Comments:
“In redesigning the reception area, we were able to add a much-needed 20 linear feet of retail shelving. All seating is strategicallyplaced to create a comfortable shopping environment. Clients are surrounded by products they can touch and smell.”
Judges Comments:
“I love the detail in the retail focus – the brick, drapery and photo wall accents are perfect.”—Grissler
“The front retail area really creates the feel of a shopping environment.”—Crusafilli
“The space feels like an art gallery in a New York loft – the combination of soft and rigid elements and shabby chic and modern characteristics results in a well-balanced and visually interesting space.”—Patrascu
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
More Salon Management
The Constant
Starting at Impressions front desk in 2006 when he was 19 years old, General Manager Paul Petrowsky is a seasoned professional who owner Sarah Taylor says is responsible for much of her own success.
by Stacey Soble
The Most Wonderful Time in Salons and Spas
Planning is in full swing for the most anticipated events and promotions for the 2026 holidays. As owners share their favorite ways to celebrate, they prove that a carefully planned event can also build culture, increase client loyalty, boost sales, and set a business up for a successful 2027.
by Stacey Soble
Leading with Empathy, Humility and a Mastery of Systems
When things run amok at Mane Attraction Salon, Owners Chris and Jenny Knudsen say General Manager Sami Hernandez is their go-to resource and ultimate sounding board. Meet Sami in this installment of Meet the Manager.
by Stacey Soble
Pagoda Brings AI-Powered Operations to Skinovatio Medical Spa Locations
Pagoda, a new AI-native operating system for scheduling, payments, patient records, marketing, and client communications, launches at Skinovatio Medical Spa in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
by Staff
How Women are Rewriting the Rules of Grey Hair
At a panel discussion hosted by L’Oréal Professionnel in Paris in early July, French Philosopher Sophie Galabru explored the cultural shift where women are increasingly choosing natural, personalized color results over traditional grey coverage. In an exclusive interview with SALON TODAY, Galabru and L’Oréal Professionnel Colorist Pierrick Beringer discuss this shift and how salons and colorists respond.
by Stacey Soble
Warm Leadership and Analytical Precision
At Salon Blonde, Director of Operations treats the staff as the salon's most important guests, while her wonderful 'nerdy' side, loves data, systems, and numbers. Find out how she makes Salon Blonde tick.
by Stacey Soble
Trotting the Globe, Forging Connections, Fostering Artistic Creativity
In an exclusive interview with SALON TODAY, Salon Owner Salvatore Minardi reflects on his past 18 months as Intercoiffure America Canada's World Talent Exchange Ambassador and how his experiences will help encourage cultural and artistic exchange and support greater engagement between ICA and the global organization Intercoiffure Mondial.
by Stacey Soble
Client Retention Guidebook
Everything you need to know about client retention as a salon owner.
Success Grown from Within
Owner Shelby Bills says her general manager, Sydney Osborne, reminds her of the power of leading with heart. Find out how Osborne became a great leader in our lastest installment of Meet the Manager.
by Stacey Soble
How Salon Leaders Can Process the Pain and Lead Forward When a Team Members Leaves Unethically
In her latest blog, Kati Whitledge identifies the five stages salon owners go through when a team member leaves the salon unethically, offering advice for each stage.
How AI Is Closing Revenue Gaps for Salons and Spas
The beauty and wellness businesses pulling ahead aren’t just working harder—they’re using AI to capture demand, personalize pricing, and convert more of every guest interaction into revenue. Here’s what the benchmark data reveals about the growing gap between AI adopters and everyone else.
Sponsored by Zenoti
The Premium Talent Magnet: The Modern Salon Playbook for Attracting Six-Figure Stylists
Stop chasing recruitment ghosts on generic job boards and start curating an elite team. Discover the framework that top-tier salons use to bypass phone tag, automate visual portfolio vetting, and attract high-earning, culture-first beauty professionals directly through real-time messaging. Turn your recruitment process into an exclusive brand invitation that keeps your highest-ticket chairs permanently filled.
Sponsored by Beautista
Five Revenue Leaks Hiding in Your Salon
Your calendar looks full, but is all of that demand actually converting to revenue? From phantom rebookings to underpriced peak hours, the 2026 Benchmark Report exposes five revenue leaks that most beauty and wellness businesses don’t even know they have.
Sponsored by Zenoti
The Heartbeat of Zandi K's Success
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.
by Stacey Soble
Rethinking Retail in the Era of E-Commerce
In a world dominated by e-commerce, salon owners push back with proven strategies to increase retail sales while motivating team members to educate their clientele and delighting clients with retail-themed events and clever merchandising displays.
by Stacey Soble
The Harper Ellis Hair Co. Certification Program Teaches Stylists a Smarter, Safer Way to Install Extensions
The company's Concealed Bead Method is raising the bar for what professional extension education can deliver.
by Staff