MENU
SEARCHWhen Christy Vowers purchased Rowdy Hair in Phoenix, Arizona, Sabrina Porter was already the manager. Vowers had been working in the salon for three years and observed Porter in action, and says Porter's the reason she decided to re-enter the world salon ownership.
Rowdy Hair
As manager of Rowdy Hair in Phoenix, Arizona, Sabrina Porter handles day-to-day operations, inventory, payroll, and goal tracking.
Rowdy Hair
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 Sabrina Porter, a manager so strong she’s the reason Owner Christy Vowers purchased Rowdy Hair in Phoenix, Arizona.
The Manager: Sabrina Porter, Salon Manager
Nominated by: Christy Vowers, owner of Rowdy Hair in Phoenix, Arizona
Date of Hire: September 2009
SALON TODAY: What is Sabrina Porter’s specific background that made you believe she’d be a good fit for your business?
Vowers: “I actually chose to purchase an existing salon because of Sabrina. In 2019, I was approached to purchase the salon that I was renting from. I had already sold a salon and knew how much work was involved as owner and manager. As I assessed this salon, what was different was that the owners had a manager and weren't trying to do both as I had in the past. I had been working with Sabrina for 3 years at this point, and I always admired how she handled situations, managed inventory, prepared payroll and more. This was truly the selling point for me to go ahead and purchase Rowdy Hair. I said if she stays and does what she does, I am in!”
Read about more outstanding managers in our Meet the Manager series.
ST: What personality traits does Porter exhibit that make her a good manager?
Vowers: “Sabrina is a very personable and approachable person. She does not have a problem with the hard conversations, yet she does it in a way that gets to the point and allows for open discussion. Sabrina is very detailed!!! There is not much that will get past her (i.e. a missing/wrong product order, a ticket closed out wrong, payroll details, etc.) She might take a minute longer to make sure it is done correctly and thoroughly, versus finishing it quickly!!”
ST: How is Porter compensated?
Vowers: Sabrina is paid a salary, as well as a bonus. Her goals are based on service and retail goals. Our goal for 2025 was 12% over last year. Each month, if the salon hits both goals, she receives a $400 bonus. If just the service goal is reached, she receives $100. If just the retail goal is hit, she receives a $200 bonus. She can help achieve these by watching stylists’ times and charging, closing gaps in-between appointments, offering product sales, as well as helping train the front desk team. This also allows her to coach stylists and associates.”
ST: What are the three most important tasks that Porter takes on at the salon?
Vowers: Day-to-day operations, including sudden or unexpected events or conversations; inventory, including ordering, entering, delegating, cleaning, and creating displays; payroll; and tracking goals and numbers.”
ST: How often do you meet with Porter, and what do you review together?
Vowers: “Sabrina and I touch base every day in order to communicate effectively and consistently. This allows me to understand what she is handling and allows her to get new and updated plans from me. Once a week, we have a scheduled meeting for up to two hours. We cover upcoming classes, events, plans, and budgets.”
ST: What types of continuing education do you offer Porter?
Vowers: “Sabrina and I typically take a trip once a year for three-four days, and we attend some sort of class that is directly geared toward salon owners and managers. We also take classes through Zoom that Davines or our software company offers. The salon hosts a guest artist once a quarter for education, and sometimes that educator applies to management, as well as the front desk team.”
ST: How has this manager helped you grow the business?
Vowers: “I could not be who I am or do what I do without Sabrina!! She has my back at all times and is always looking for ways to make my life easier and save money. I am so blessed to enjoy working with her professionally and personally. She is truly one of a kind! Never a sick day, and always present. She is beyond dependable, and she works hard day in and day out!”
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.
