MENU
SEARCHIn Editor Stacey Soble's monthly column, she snags an opportunity to watch Heather Bagby teach a Summit Stylist class and witnesses the power of stylists embracing their numbers.
I’ve been extremely fortunate to have had a career that can follow me wherever I move. I recently relocated from the West Coast to Peoria, Illinois, where my husband started a new position in March.
This past weekend he took me to one of his favorite places, Tannins & Hops, a modern-day speakeasy. The bar is located in a building where the O’Neill brothers used to smuggle whiskey between 1926 and 1932 for Al Capone before being busted by the prohibition agency of the federal government. To pay homage to their history, the bar’s new owner requires all patrons to ring a bell and provide the password to get in. The password, “It Plays in Peoria” refers to the catchphrase “Will it Play in Peoria?” that ad men used to ask when determining whether a product, person or promotional theme will appeal to Main Street, America.
Before I even moved to Peoria, Summit Salon Business Center’s Heather Bagby invited me to a Summit Stylist business class she was teaching here at the beginning of August. I was happy to attend, not only to have the pleasure of witnessing Heather in action again, but in the hopes of meeting some industry locals.
Heather started by talking about Summit being a happiness project – they help stylists identify what they want to achieve in life, then show them what they need to do in the salon to get there. That quickly got their attention.
“Your goal in life should be to lose 10 percent of your guests each year, because the demand on your time is outgrowing them and you have to raise your prices,” she says. “Don’t devalue yourself. If some people can’t afford you, that’s a good thing.”
Heather explained that stylists have a tendency to get addicted to approval, which is why salons hesitate to raise their prices, but it’s also why they shy away from retailing. “But no is a beautiful word. You should hear ‘No, thank you,’ from your guests all day because you’re constantly suggesting they try new services or you’re recommending products.”
To be successful, Heather, stressed that it’s all about the math, and everyone needed to get comfortable with math. She outlined the following steps to help stylist be successful:
Plan for profit by writing your service and sales goals down each day.
Track the results of your plan every day.
Only offer your guests services and products that you believe in.
Never discount your services.
While I normally am sitting in classes designed for salon owners, it was fascinating to see these stylists soaking up this business wisdom. I would definitely say Heather and the SSBC education played well in Peoria.
Discover how to create a true “WOW experience” for every client by first building a culture where your team feels engaged, empowered, and inspired. Drawing on Calvin Stovall’s Iconic Framework, this blog explores how salon, spa, and clinic leaders can strengthen culture, elevate customer experience, and build a business that stands out for the long term.
Sponsored by Phorest Salon Software
The wellness industry is growing fast, and salons and barbershops already are an important part of it. In her first blog, Tracy Rado shares where the wellness dollars are heading, and how salon's can grow with this movement.
While salon sales are increasing, owners often feel they're working harder for the same or less profit. Leverage Q2 data from The KIM Report, Alain Audet reveals some of the structural changes that are dampening your growth and why your region and your salon size matters.
Weaknesses in your business are amplified during the Holiday Season. Spark Pro Global's Lucy Randall shows you five things to do now to have the strongest holiday season yet.
In Kati Whitledge's latest blog, she shares how salons have moved away from dress codes and embraced appearance standards. But by removing strict dress codes, some businesses may have unintentionally lowered their appearance standards. Whitledge helps you explain to your team why an appearance standard is important and how to smoothly implement a new appearance policy.
The Small Business Health Care Tax Credit is a non-refundable tax credit for for-profit businesses that provides a financial incentive for eligible employers who offer health insurance coverage to their employees. Leticia Skrabut, Esq., walks you through how to claim that credit.
Developing strong work habits early in one's career supports long-term success in the salon industry. Jesse Linares offers new stylists his top five tips.
Most salon owners have no idea what these numbers are. You can hit record sales and still have a profit problem. The difference comes down to four numbers almost nobody was taught to track.
Sponsored by Strata Salon Systems™
A five-area audit every owner-dependent salon needs to run. You built something that looks successful. Now find out if it can survive without you.
Sponsored by Strata Salon Systems™
Every month you put off fixing the problem, it gets bigger, more expensive, and harder to solve.
Sponsored by Strata Salon Systems™
At Janet St. Paul Studio for Hair and Beauty, Director of Operations Natasha McMillen helps bring her wife Janet St. Paul's vision to life, elevating every system from education to operations.
Expand your color service menu with the Pinstripe technique. Brooks and Brooks' Marlon Hawkins walks you through the technique.
The strongest salons, spas, and med spas know which numbers tell the real story of their business. In this practical guide, Phorest breaks down the five essential KPIs every business should track to improve retention, boost revenue, and make smarter decisions with confidence.
Sponsored by Phorest
At Bella Style Salon in Slidell, Louisiana, Director of Operations Angela Meyer tackles inventory, team management, and guest relations. Read all about her in our latest Meet the Manager.
Starting at Impressions front desk in 2006 when he was 19 years old, General Manager Paul Petrowsky is a seasoned professional who owner Sarah Taylor says is responsible for much of her own success.
Planning is in full swing for the most anticipated events and promotions for the 2026 holidays. As owners share their favorite ways to celebrate, they prove that a carefully planned event can also build culture, increase client loyalty, boost sales, and set a business up for a successful 2027.
When things run amok at Mane Attraction Salon, Owners Chris and Jenny Knudsen say General Manager Sami Hernandez is their go-to resource and ultimate sounding board. Meet Sami in this installment of Meet the Manager.
