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SEARCHFrom client-based apps to amped-up marketing features and upgraded online appointment programs, today’s salon and spa software manufacturers are helping beauty business run smoother, while improving the experience for their clients. At the ...
From client-based apps to amped-up marketing features and upgraded online appointment programs, today’s salon and spa software manufacturers are helping beauty business run smoother, while improving the experience for their clients. At the Premiere Orlando BeautyEvent, which was held at the Orlando Convention Center June 5-6, Salon Today Editor Stacey Soble visited each salon/spa software exhibitor, inviting representatives to spotlight one feature they were highlighting with this year’s showgoers:
Rosy Software'sJim Bower showed us their next evolution of Client Connect, which takes the salon’s marketing efforts to the next level. “In addition to automated emails, Client Connect helps salons design a loyalty program in less than 10 minutes, and it’s connecting clients to product information, while recommending specific products to them and allowing them to reserve their options to be picked up during their next appointment,” Bower says.
STX’s Jeff Mason says many owners who visited their booth at Premiere wanted to talk about the possibility of taking away the front desk or supporting the front desk with mobile booking and payment options. “With STX, if the front desk gets congested, a stylist can easily grab a tablet, book a client’s next appointment, talk to her about products and close the sale right at the chair,” he says. “Not only can you do everything with a tablet that they can do at the front desk, it enhances the experience for the guest and boosts sales.”
Millennium’s Bob Maconi showed us examples of the new client-based app they have developed through a partnership with Salon Clouds. “We’re taking gamification to the client level, and through this app salon owners can design a different daily marketing offer that appears on the app like a Scratch Off or they can set up a Tic-Tac-Toe game,” he says. “This app helps salons engage the client on a whole new level. The design of the app is customizable, and is designed to help salons boost their sales.”
SalonBiz’s Cristin Barr and Anna Guillot shared how well their software works with multiple locations. “Through a consolidated database, a salon can book an appointment in real time for a client standing at their desk for another location,” says Barr. “And the salons can share reports through the software that reveals notes on individuals, such as hair color formula, product purchase histories or beverage preferences that can enhance the client experience.”
Envision’s Micki DeJean showed us why salons that use business coaches and consultants love their Envision Cloud Ultimate. “The performance tracking gives stylists a thumbs up or thumbs down on how they are performing against goals in areas such as rebooking and retail-to-service sales,” she says. “And, owners love how the program’s built-in loyalty and membership programs boost sales and solidify client loyalty.”
Blake Rector of Salonware/Spaware Software demonstrated how they’ve designed their programs with the medical spa in mind. “Now, in-take forms and client charts can be entered and stored digitally, which not only helps spas easily access client information at any time, but now space that used to be used for file storage can now become a new treatment room,” he says. “In addition, the program allows users to upload before and after pictures of clients, as well as electronically draw on pictures for consultation purposes.”
Glen Bell demonstrated the advanced features of Mikal’s recently launched Program 7, a Mac-friendly application that uses more dropdown menus and point-and click-selections. “Not only does it speed up processes in the salon, it’s so easy today you literally can hire someone and train them on the software in one day,” Bell says.
Stylie’s Chad Hankinson gave us a peek at the software that’s a game changer for independent stylists. “It’s specifically designed to be mobile and easy-to-use and includes online scheduling, POS & inventory management, credit card processing and automated marketing,” he says. “And, it’s available for $19.99 a month.”
The team from Mindbody, including Victor Briceno, Meghan Foulkes, Abigail Pawlik and Sarah Welch, demonstrated how integrating POS into the appointment book is making booking appointments, processing payments and sending clients receipts easier and faster. “It’s cut the process of checking in or out in half, which makes for a better client experience being easier for the salon,” Pawlik says.
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.
