Our Authors

Kristi Valenzuela is the founder of Crystal Focus Salon Coaching; a salon coaching company specializing in teaching “people skills for profitability."" Their latest product launched, The Front Desk Doctor Training System, promises to turn receptionists into extremely effective sales professionals by teaching real-life sales systems specifically designed for the salon industry.

Laurel Nelson is a freelance writer who worked for Modern Salon Media for 12 years. During her time with the company she served as Author - Editor of Salon Today for several years and then Author - Editor of Modern Salon for two years. She is currently a stay-at-home mom who continues to enjoy writing and researching for the beauty industry.

Lauren Bakos is creative strategy director of the award-winning Imaginal Marketing Group, a full-service agency specializing in the salon and spa industry. She has taught marketing and social media classes to thousands of salon and spa owners and has won numerous awards for creativity in marketing.

As the Web Editor, Lauren Salapatek manages the creation, production and editing of all editorial online content for Modern Salon Media's websites and e-newsletters. Since January 2010, Lauren has worked at Modern Salon Media covering salon style, products, trends and more.

Leon Alexander is president of Eurisko, a comprehensive design, consulting and distribution source servicing the salon and spa industry. He holds a Ph.D. in behavioral psychology.

Luis Alvarez, co-founder of Aquage, is constantly in touch with salon professionals on Facebook. On his personal page, he regularly shares scenes from his and the Aquage artistic team’s beauty journey—samples of his artistic inspiration and vision, as well as interesting visuals from cross-country and world travels doing education and photo shoots for Aquage.

MODERN's Beauty & Fashion Director, is the NYC based Editor and Art Director for Modern Salon Magazine and modernsalon.com. Maggie joined MODERN in the 1980's and has spent more than 3 decades covering the professional beauty industry around the world. In addition to writing articles, Maggie travels globally as a beauty journalist to report on the latest beauty trends, products and techniques.

Neil Ducoff is the founder and CEO of Strategies, a business training and coaching company specializing in the salon and spa industry. Ducoff’s newest book, No-Compromise Leadership, is published by DC Press and is available at www.amazon.com.

Nicole has been a magazine writer and editor for more than 10 years. In covering beauty, she's developed a deep admiration for all of the skilled artists and creatives who make the industry what it is. Nicole lives in the Detroit area with her husband and two young girls.

Nicole Johnson is a writer and editor with a special interest in the beauty industry. As a lifelong beauty client and a former receptionist for a large salon spa group, she has gained invaluable experience in the world of beauty. She now assists our Editors in Chief with all things content, including web and magazine content, social media and events.