MENU
SEARCHAlthough recent rains have alleviated immediate concern over drought, environmentalists warn that water shortages are a new reality. How does that impact a water-reliant industry like beauty? Learn what you can do to help.
Rains could wash away worries over the water shortages affecting salons across huge swathes of the country, with the U.S. Drought Monitor reporting in March that the geographical area affected by drought has dropped by around 30 per cent to just 9.83 per cent. Even California has lifted the Drought State of Emergency in most of its jurisdiction. But despite this, a return to normal is not on the cards and the days of careless water use are long gone.
Abnormally dry conditions continue from west to east, and up the east coast. Groundwater, the huge natural reservoirs that hold the water, are at an all-time low. In Georgia and Florida rainfall was six inches below normal in March. That is a concern for everyone, but especially a water-hungry industry like beauty.
American salons are not the only ones in the developed world facing these challenges. Australia has a long history of severe drought affecting business, having recently emerged from the worst episode in its history, with some regions still struggling with crippling water shortages. During that time the industry made huge strides towards managing in extreme conditions.
"Climate change is very real for us because it has had a major impact on our weather; it’s hotter and drier than ever, pushing us into drought," says Benny Risher, the man behind the Ecoheads shower head, which reduces water use by 65 per cent while pumping up the pressure. "For 15 years we’ve struggled with water shortages, and have had to develop strategies to cope."
The drought in Australia has convinced many salon owners that the planet really is under threat, a view that is gaining increasing credibility in the US following its own experiences.
"There is no Plan B. There is no Planet B," says Shane Price, founder and CEO of Green Circle Salons, which launched in Canada in 2009. It now works with more than 15,000 salons across the entire North American continent to help remove and reduce waste, slashing the amount its partner salons dump in landfill sites by up to 95 per cent. "Water is getting more and more expensive, and we must reduce waste by repositioning what we use through recycling, remaking, reusing and all the other Rs that will help us deal with our ecological problems."
The overnight success of Ecoheads in the US, with hundreds of salons installing the units on their basins, proves there is a willingness among the industry to act.
"Even in those areas where water is plentiful there are challenges with pressure and pollutants, which explains partly why our showerheads are selling across the country," says Paul Tate, co-owner of Ecoheads North America. "But there is also a willingness to embrace a basic human responsibility, partly driven by the enigmatic millennial generation coming into the industry and by the clients. We must rise up to our responsibilities as an industry because, even with the rains, the experts are warning that water remains a threatened resource. We adopt ways to protect our planet, not just in high-risk areas but all over the country."
For further advice on saving water check out www.ecoheads.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.
