
Got a Gorgeous New Business? SALONS OF THE YEAR Application Now Open!
The landmark, photo-based interior design competition has opened its application process. We'd love you to hit us with your best shots!
The software company celebrates with salons that have been receiving rave online reviews.

Stylist Gabriele Rosati (left) and founder/owner Audriana Rossano of The Color Room, Philadelphia, PA, show their Client Experience Award from Phorest.
Celebrating the latest winners of the Client Experience Award, Phorest Salon Software announces that the good news is in the mail. To qualify for the award, Phorest salons and spas must have maintained an average rating of between 4 and 5 stars from at least 60 online reviews for 12 consecutive months. Along with the official congratulations letter, winners will receive a sticker to display in their window and also download a digital version that can be used to highlight their success on their business website and social media accounts. Beauty businesses that have won the Client Experience Award for five years in a row are recognized with a special gold sticker.
Phorest understands that in all the ways a salon or spa can be recognized, happy clients are the ultimate measure of success, says CEO Ronan Perceval, adding that Phorest is proud to honor this achievement with the Client Experience Award.
“A heartfelt congratulations from all of us at Phorest for your amazing achievement," Perceval says. "We know that behind every 5-star review there are countless hours of hard work and incredible attention to detail from salon owners and their teams. Despite the difficulties of the past year, you have maintained a best-in-class customer experience. We hope that the Client Experience Award can be a marker of your perseverance and how loved your business is by your clients and community.”
He notes that 2020 and 2021 have been some of the most challenging years the salon and spa industry has faced, bringing lockdown restrictions, increased health and safety protocols, and new client expectations. Perceval commends all the businesses that have sustained themselves during this time but notes that special congratulations are due for salons and spas that have managed to keep the 5-star reviews rolling in despite the obstacles.
Getting continuous feedback is important for salon and spa owners to deepen trust and personal connection with clients, in addition to helping to identify areas of improvement, according to Phorest. Referrals continue to be a major factor in a salon or spa's ability to attract new clients. The power of online reviews has never been greater. Not only are online reviews often the first impression a salon or spa makes with a prospective client, but they should also be considered a core part of any digital marketing strategy. Online reviews, for example, now factor into how a business ranks in local internet searches.
“Phorest really helped us get to the top with Google," reports Audriana Rossano, founder and owner of The Color Room, Philadelphia, PA. "My reviews are awesome, and I love seeing client feedback whether it’s good or bad because we learn from both situations. Anytime I see really good reviews I create a graphic for it, and we post it on social media...everywhere. I show my employees. They get really excited. It keeps them motivated. The software's Online Reputation Manager is one of my favorite features of Phorest.”
Many salons and spas are deserving of more positive reviews from their clients but don’t have consistent means to manage them. The Online Reputation Manager feature allows them to respond to reviews across Google, Facebook, and Yelp from one clean and clear dashboard. It also helps to increase the number of reviews they receive using automated settings.
Originally posted on Modern Salon

The landmark, photo-based interior design competition has opened its application process. We'd love you to hit us with your best shots!

The landmark, photo-based interior design competition has opened its application process. We'd love you to hit us with your best shots!

At night, Dominic Michael Salon keeps the interior lights on, as the illuminated, eye-catching contemporary design serves as a billboard that consistently attracts new guests.

Built from the ground up, Mane 18’s design strikes a balance between an elevated experience for guests and the functionality and flow necessary for team members to perform at their best.

Andreas Hogue Salon’s recent renovation surprises visitors with the interior’s expansion of space, elevated retail area, and changing views of the restored Chicago prairie.

It's Day 10 of our SALON TODAY 200 reveals, and we've reached the end! Today, we toast the honorees in the second half of growth--the salons, spas, and barbershops that constantly strive to build stronger bottom lines, including Brandy Smith Stephens in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

On Day 9 of our 2026 SALON TODAY 200 reveals, a big 'Huzzah' to our first look at the salons, spas and barbershops that fueled their growth by mastering a number of best practices, including the fun team from Lavish Hair Lounge in Albuquerque, New Mexico. (P.S. The second half of Growth comes tomorrow.)

A big "Bravo!" to the salons and spas that develop strong cultures that fuel growth while retaining team members, such as Soleil Salon & Spa team in Windham, New Hampshire, who catch up reading last year's 200 issue.

We tip our hats to the salons and spas that genuinely connect with guests and strive to elevate their service, including Chenica Racine and Ricka O'Bannon, owners of C&R Beauty Bar in Louisville, Kentucky.

Hats off to the 2026 SALON TODAY 200 honorees who make education a priority for employees at every level, including Eric Fisher Salon, which hosted Educator Oscar Bond for a cutting class in Wichita, Kansas.

Today, we have two 2026 SALON TODAY 200 categories as we hail the salons that find creative ways to build client loyalty and the ones that constantly explore and embrace new technology to further their businesses, including the social-savvy team from Verde Salon Group in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

For today's SALON TODAY 200 announcements, we toast the honorees who prioritize the environment in their business decisions and those who take retail to the next level, including the excited team from Pure Salon Spa in Louisville, Kentucky.

Cheers to the SALON TODAY 200 honorees who give their time, talent and fundraising efforts to their communities, including Eli Mancha and the team from Bang! Salon, whose cut-a-thon has collected more than 1,200 coats that have been donated to Chicago's unhoused.

It's Day 1 of our 2026 SALON TODAY 200 announcements, and today, we raise our glasses for the honorees in the Business Builders category. These salons, including Elan Hair Studio in Spring Lake, New Jersey, took strategic risks that paid off in revenue-generating success.

It's time to celebrate the 2026 SALON TODAY 200 honorees who design rewarding career paths and seek out enriching benefits to keep their team members healthy, happy and growing, including the team from Pinup Studio in Raleigh, North Carolina, who always enjoy a good pajama party.

With a training salon, treatment rooms, education and collaboration spaces, a podcast studio and a yoga studio, BASE ONE is the foundation for the future growth of PENZONE Salons+Spas, as well as the company's gift to their community and the industry. Peruse the image gallery or take the personalized video tour led by Debra Penzone to see this exceptional space.

As our judges read those last essays and create their list of honorees in each category, we're planning to start announce the 2026 SALON TODAY 200 starting February 25.