Big Opening Day for Data-Driven Salon Summit
Relive the memories of a fascinating and fun welcome day for Data-Driven Salon Summit 2027 in Austin, Texas.
by Stacey Soble
What Makes a Good Salon Manager?
During the Manager Match Game panel during the Data-Driven Salon summit, dynamic salon owners and their managers share strategies for recruiting, training and retaining talented managers.
May 21, 2018
Scott Buchanan moderates the owner/manager panel. From left to right: Van Council, Susan Dykstra, Monty Howard, Megan Jasper and Frank Westerbeke.
Jamie Newman
2 min to read
During the Manager Match-Up panel during the Data-Driven Salon summit, dynamic salon owners and their salon managers shared strategies for recruiting, training and retaining talented managers.
Moderator Scott Buchanan of Scott J Salons, in New York, New York, asked what traits make for the best salon manager.
Van Council, co-owner of Van Michael Salons in Atlanta, Georgia, said his salons' CEO, Susan Dykstra relates to others and is a good communicator, organizer and planner with great follow through, and is very strategic.
Dykstra added that a good manager is a person that can continue to be guardian of the salon's culture.
Monty Howard, general manager of Salon Visage in Knoxville, Tennessee, said for managerial positions, Salon Visage likes to hire from within the company.
"If you already know the culture, you can learn to do the other stuff," Howard said. "We look for people to lead without the position. Do you have the right heart? Do you care? Do you give? Do you have heart? You can’t teach that."
Frank Westerbeke, co-owner of Gadabout SalonSpas in Tucson, Arizona, echoed that sentiment.
"[A great manager] has a big heart and loves everybody," Westerbeke said. "Our retention is really strong. We like to bring more people to the table and love everyone."
Gadabout SalonSpa's director of operations and marketing, Megan Jasper, said that a manager cares about every single person on their time, not about themselves.
"Leaders are there to watch other people’s success," Jasper said.
Buchanan, a salon owner himself, wrapped up the question by tying each salon owner/manager duo's thoughts together.
"I love the idea of growing from within," he said. "It’s the heart, it’s the love, it’s the passion. The trade I can teach you but I can’t teach you how to respect another human."
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
More Events
Beauty Backstage: Designing Your Own Salon Exit
After her presentation and workshop at Data-Driven Salon Summit 2026, Harper Ellis Hair Co.'s Terra Harvell chats with Nicole Johnson, sharing why she's on a mission to help owners build wealth in their business so they have a investment worth selling when they are ready to exit.
by Stacey Soble
Human Connection + AI = A Thriving Business
Before Phorest's Barry Quinn and Sinead Norman take the stage at Data-Driven Salon Summit, Norman swings by SALON TODAY to give us a sneak peek at their session that promises to motivate team members to grow their KPIs and clients to solidify their loyalty.
by Stacey Soble
Building a Salon That Creates Real Wealth and An Exit
Before Harper Ellis' Terra Harvell takes the stage on Data-Driven Salon Summit she swings by to give us a sneak peek at her mainstage and breakout sessions.
by Stacey Soble
Your Head Spa Opportunity: Lead the Movement or Miss the Momentum
Before Kristi Valenzuela takes the stage at Data-Driven Salon Summit, she stops by to talk about how salon business has a powerful opportunity to expand beyond traditional services and create meaningful revenue through high-value treatments.
by Stacey Soble
L’Oréal Professionnel Unveils Transformation Day, The First-Ever Global Event Celebrating Hair Transformation
More than 100 celebrities, influencers, and hair experts came together to create the two-day event in Paris in recognition of the passion, skill, and dedication of hair professionals worldwide. L’Oréal Professionnel Global Brand President Claire Le Bleis sat down with SALON TODAY to talk about the significance of the event, which also celebrated Hairdresser Appreciation Day.
by Stacey Soble
How to Build a Salon that Creates Wealth and An Exit
Before Terra Harvell takes the stage at Data-Driven Salon Summit session, she swings by to give us a sample of what she has planned for her mainstage session and her breakout workshop.
by Stacey Soble
Build AI-Powered Beauty Experiences in Minutes
At this year's Data-Driven, an immersive hands-on workshop will allow attendees to experiment with virtual hairstyle and hair-color try-on and AI skin analysis--and leave with credits to continue playing with the technology in their own salons.
by Stacey Soble
Salon Owners & Stylists Gather in NYC for SalonCentric SPARK New Partner Event
At the SalonCentric SPARK New Partner Event in New York City on March 16, invited salon owners and stylists came together for education and discovery at the new L’Oréal Professional Academy NYC.
AI and the Customer Journey
Before Glammatic's Ameet Kallarackal steps onto the mainstage at Data-Driven Salon Summit, May 17th, he stops by and gives us a sneak peek at his upcoming session and how his subsequent roadmap will give you a personalized road map.
by Stacey Soble
Owners Connect at Meevo Live! 2025
At Meevo LIVE! 2025, Nashville set the backdrop while connection stole the show.
SalonCentric Partner Event Series: Power Your Potential
SalonCentric's new Partner Event Series was created to celebrate and support the professionals behind that artistry, giving them tools to grow, connect, and thrive.
Monica-Lynn Brings Her Inaugural Beauty CE) Experience to Cleveland
Monica-Lynn Beauty CEO hosts BOSS Up! Leadership Experience in Cleveland, helping owners and beauty and barber pros scale their businesses. .
Data-Driven Salon Tour Takes Nashville By Storm November 2!
Before a progressive cocktail party of three of Nashville's leading salons on November 2, Data-Driven Salon Tour will help owners and managers grow their businesses, their teams and their clientele to the next level. Don't miss out!
by Stacey Soble
Legends, Leaders, and Innovators at the Medical Spa Show
Medical Spa Show 2025 featured the most impressive lineup of the show's eight-year history, including keynote speaker Kyle Scheele, along with a host of luminaries from around the industry.
by Anne Moratto
Cosmo Prof Announces its 5th Annual World of Texture Virtual Event
Embrace, empower, and celebrate natural curls with Cosmo Prof's live virtual education event on Feb 24, 2025.
Prepare for Small Business Saturday® with American Express
The busy holiday season is here, and with it comes jam-packed days, last-minute client requests and booming retail sales. For many salon owners, the highlight of the season is Small Business Saturday® (SBS). This year on Saturday, November 30, consumers can take their shopping into the small businesses in their communities.
Sponsored by Amex