MENU
SEARCHThe industry loses a legend with the passing of Eveline Charles. As her family shares their thoughts, we share her history, as well as some of our favorite stories featuring this passionate entrepreneur.
Professional Beauty Leader Eveline Charles passed away January 12. An entrepreneurial force, Charles had her hand in almost every aspect of beauty, getting her start as a stylist; eventually owning salons, med spas and an academy; manufacturing personal care products and as a franchisor.
Recognized internationally as a leader in the salon and spa sector, Charles was the founder and CEO of the multi-million-dollar business, EvelineCharles Salons|Spas|Beauty MD|Academy, based in Edmonton, Alberta. She is the first woman to be inducted into the Alberta Business Hall of Fame and was listed in the Top 100 of Ivey School of Business and Scotiabank Group’s ‘Canada’s Most Powerful Women’ in 2007.
Charles was also named ‘Marketer of the Year in 2001 by Alberta Venture Magazine, and was consistently listed in the top 50 for Profit Magazine’s 'Top 100 Women Entrepreneurs' from 2004 to 2007. Charles received two Global Salon Business Awards for Canadian Entrepreneurship, first in 2004 in London, then in 2006 in Barcelona. Throughout her 40 years in the beauty industry, Charles has been honored for her leadership, innovation and remarkable business accomplishments. Her countless entrepreneurial awards include Canada’s 'Top 100 Most Powerful Women of 2011' and Ernst & Young’s 'Entrepreneur of the Year.'
Charles started as a hairstylist in 1974, and she continued to grow her business in the following years with EvelineCharles Salons|Spas|Beauty MD. In 2005, the first EvelineCharles Academy was opened in Edmonton. The beauty institute offers cosmetology, esthetics and makeup artistry courses and is the largest in Canada. EvelineCharles Labs opened in 2016, manufacturing products in the personal care business. The company expanded into franchising with salons in Hudson’s Bay and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Involved in the community, Charles was a founding member of the Board of Directors for the Compassion House Foundation, where breast cancer patients receive support during diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Other organizations that Charles supported include Youth Emergency Shelter Society, Stollery Children’s Hospital, Canadian Cancer Society, Cancer Diabetes Association, United Way and Unicef.
Upon her passing, her husband Barry Charles posted a loving tribute on the company’s social media, while hundreds of people responded to his request to honor her memory by celebrating the beautiful moments they shared with Charles.
The announcement on the company site read:
“With the heaviest of hearts, we share the passing of Eveline Charles on January 12, 2025. She was a remarkable woman whose warmth, kindness and bribrant spirit touched the lives of everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.
“An incredible friend, and entertainer who brought joy to every room, and a devoted wife and mother, Eveline leaves behind a legacy of love and inspiration. As a successful entrepreneur, she inspired those around her with her determinations, creativity, and unwavering passion. Her entrepreneurial spirit, combined with her deep love for her family and friends, made her truly one of a kind.
“Eveline was admired deeply by her friends, family and colleagues and she will be missed beyond measure.
“Let us honor her memory by celebrating the beautiful moments she shared with us and keeping her spirit alive in our hearts.”
SALON TODAY remembers Eveline Charles through some of our favorite stories featuring her and her businesses:
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.
