MENU
SEARCHAttending Data-Driven Salon Summit and the SALON TODAY 200 Award dinner last spring made an incredible impact on Owner Ashley Boehler, resulting in big changes at Revive Salon & Day Spa in Findlay, Ohio. We invited Asley to blog about her experience.
Ashley Boehler of Revive Salon & Day Spa with her husband Mark, shortly after accepting her SALON TODAY 200 Award.
If I’ve learned anything as a salon owner, it’s that success isn’t built in isolation; it’s built in connection.
This past year, I’ve been intentional about two things: connecting with other like-minded business owners in the beauty industry and staying deeply involved in my own local community here in Findlay, Ohio. Both have shaped me, my team, and my business in ways I couldn’t have imagined.
At Revive Salon & Day Spa in Findlay, Ohio, we’ve always believed in giving back. Hosting the Festival of Trees Gala for Cancer Patient Services is one of my proudest accomplishments, not just because of the funds we raise, but because of what it represents. It’s our community coming together, small businesses linking arms, and people uniting for a purpose greater than themselves.
That kind of connection changes you as a leader. It teaches you to see your business not just as a service provider, but as part of something greater, a network of people and businesses all working to lift each other up.
When I attended the Data-Driven Salon Summit and the SALON TODAY 200 Award Dinner in Scottsdale last April, I didn’t fully realize how much it would change my perspective. Sitting in those classes, hearing from leaders across the industry, I realized something important: this is a time for change.
It’s a time for owners to take the numbers seriously, to dig deep into systems, and to focus on creating businesses that are not only profitable but also fulfilling for the team and for the owner.
From that point forward, I committed to approaching my role in a different way.
From that point forward, I committed to approaching my role in a different way. I’ve leaned into every opportunity for education and growth, from High Performance Salon Academy coaching to business mindset with Salon 124 Owner Brian Perdue, who had a huge influence on me last May.
Because of the connections I made at Data-Driven and as part of the SALON TODAY 200, I’ve built lasting relationships with many amazing salon owners. We’ve continued to keep in touch, share ideas and support one another, which have been invaluable.
Jason Everett, founder of High Performance Salon Academy presents "The Ultimate AI Toolkit for Salon Owners Who Want to Double their Take-Home Profit and their Time Off" presents at Data-Driven Salon Summit.
One of the most eye-opening moments this year was realizing just how much waste we had in color and how that was quietly eating into our profits. We’ve always used Davines, an incredibly high-end brand, but I hadn’t truly quantified the loss until I implemented new systems for labor and product pricing. I was introduced to the owner of Vish Data-Driven, and we implemented the color management system shortly after we returned.
Now, our clients see transparency in their services. They understand the value of what they’re receiving, and it’s built even more trust in our brand.
At Data-Driven, we also learned about Phorest Salon Software, and it has made a positive impact on our operations and guest experience. We’ve simplified our booking process by reducing our menu to three clear service categories. This has eliminated confusion for clients and made online booking straightforward and stress-free. Sometimes, growth comes from simplifying, not adding more.
The success we’ve realized allowed me to do things I never thought possible, like sending my team to New York for education, and completely revamping our salon in ways that have elevated the experience for both my staff and our guests.
Boehler connects with Jenny Strebe, founder of AIIR Professional.
This journey, fueled by involvement, industry connections, and personal growth, has taught me that courage and connection go hand in hand.
When you step out of your comfort zone, when you invest in learning and in relationships, you unlock opportunities you didn’t even know existed. And when you commit to leading with clarity and heart, your business, your team, and your guests all feel the impact.
Data-Driven Salon Summit and being part of the SALON TODAY 200 have been incredible assets to me, and I’m so grateful to be part of this community. It’s more than just an award; it’s a network of innovators and leaders who believe in lifting the entire industry.
My goal is to keep growing, keep learning, and keep showing up for my team, my guests, and my community.
Save the Dates: Data-Driven Salon Tour will be held in Nashville on November 2, combining a day of education with a progressive behind-the-scenes tour of three different salons--Jón Alan Salon, Studio Gaven Hair Colour, A Moment's Peace Salon and Spa. The next Data-Driven Salon Summit and the SALON TODAY 200 Award Dinner will be held in Austin, May 16-18. Learn more about both events at datadrivensalon.com.
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.
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.
Everything you need to know about client retention as a salon owner.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
