Love Letters
by Stacey Soble
Stacey Soble
Director of Brand Content Strategy
Stacey Soble has been involved in the conversation of salon business for more than two decades—as a reporter, a consultant and as the editor in chief of SALON TODAY. She has been responsible for growing the brand's celebrated recognition programs, SALON TODAY 200 and SALONS OF THE YEAR, and has launched two new competitions in recent years--STAMP (SALON TODAY's Annual Marketing Program) and the SALON TODAY Total Makeover Competition. She is a frequent speaker on the topic of salon business at industry events.
TV Time
When I went to journalism school at the University of Missouri many years ago, we were required to pick a focus of study. Many of my friends chose the broadcasting sequence, but I had grown up in a newspaper family—in fact, my parents still own a community newspaper. While I wanted to do something different, I still found myself drawn to the written word, so I chose the magazine sequence. Over the years though, I enjoyed watching the careers of my broadcasting comrades blossom, first at the university-affiliated television station then at networks where they landed their first jobs.
by Stacey Soble
Raising Skincare Standards
A few months back I received a call from Susanne Warfield, the executive director of the National Coalition of Estheticians, Manufacturers/Distributors & Associations, or more easily referred to as the NCEA. Although Susanne and I had worked together on skincare-related feature stories for SALON TODAY in the past, I honestly admitted to her I knew little about the coalition, its mission or its political initiatives.
by Stacey Soble
Down to Business
There's no doubt that today's salon and spa owners are more focused on business than ever before. As evidence, Neill Corporation's Serious Business 2010 witnessed one of its largest attendance records, with more than 1,000 owners and managers rolling up their black sleeves and diving into business topics headfirst.
by Stacey Soble
Strut Your Stuff!
FEBRUARY 1—the deadline for the SALONS OF THE YEAR for 2010 is fast approaching! Those with their fingers on the pulse of the decor market feel that renovations and remodels were down in 2009, so that may improve your chances.
by Stacey Soble
Are You a Creative Leader?
by Stacey Soble
Proview Panel: An Owner’s Life
Ever feel like your job as a salon owner and leader is never done? Well according to a recent survey conducted by SALON TODAY, you certainly put in the hours. Fifty-two owners from our Proview Panel recently responded to a brief online survey, and this is what they had to say:
by Stacey Soble
12 Inexpensive Marketing Tips
by Stacey Soble
Bruno's New Purpose
After the death of his brother Guy, Bruno Mascolo embarked an a personal journey which is leading him to re-engineer TONI&GUY into the Couture of Hairdressing
by Stacey Soble
More Love for Haiti
Within 24 hours of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, I began receiving e-mails from owners, first asking advice on how they could help victims, then sharing stories of what they were doing. This is a story that continues to evolve daily, so I've been keeping a running a post of how those in our industry are reaching out. Don't have time to read a story this long? Then simply scroll down and feel the love:
by Stacey Soble
Setting prices in a recession
With consumers skittish about the economy in 2008 and 2009, many salon and spa owners held back on price increases even as their own costs increased. With economic optimism slowly returning, many owners are looking for creative suggestions for ...
by Stacey Soble
Someone Like You
While many salons cite the grapevine as their greatest source of new clients, few have learned to harness its marketing power and measure the impact. In 2008, Roberta and Patrick Heaney, owners of Mango Salon in Richmond, Virginia, ...
by Stacey Soble
Nick Arrojo launches own retail line
For years, we've watched Nick Arrojo's artistry on the platform, on television makeover shows and in the SALON TODAY 200—now you can see him work some magic on your shelves. During this year's show season the owner of New York's Arrojo Studio, launches the namesake line he's used in his studio, his academy and his cosmetology school. And he does so with a unique understanding of the needs of the client, the stylist and the owner.
by Stacey Soble
Palm Springs spa turns 50
Mod styles with Dippity Do, 60s era cocktails and a modern twist on a signature service—looking back while moving forward is how The Spa at the Spa Resort Casino, in Palm Springs, CA, decided it was time to celebrate 50 years of the good life.
by Stacey Soble
Love Story
Ask a roomful of salon owners, who their right-hand man (or woman) is and many will cite their managers or their lead stylist. But if they really think about who is responsible for managing all the details of their business, measuring their ...
by Stacey Soble
Quietly Lead by Example
On a whim, I hit the after-holiday sales table at my local Barnes and Noble and picked up a half-priced jigsaw puzzle. My kids made faces and my husband piped in with a Grandma joke at my expense, but I just smiled and bought it anyway.
by Stacey Soble
Hairstyle trend: The beach wave
Sandra Bullock promoting The Blind Side on Jay Leno, Kate Hudson cheering at the World Series, Miley Cyrus in her chart-topping Party in the USA video--all are sporting the hottest texture trend to hit fashion, music and Hollywood scenes--the Beach Wave. This new, loose, undefined, soft, undulating wave is reminiscent of the look you get after stepping from the ocean and the hair forms a soft, subtle, natural wave.
by Stacey Soble