As Salon Today’s first Total Salon Makeover winner, Bamboo Salon in Staten Island, New York, recently took its first steps to grow its business to the next level. Meeting with representatives from Keratin Complex, STX and Takara Belmont, owners Caryann Concilio and Amanda Intoccia made plans to accept the competition’s prizes, including a full retail collection and fully stocked backbar from Keratin Complex, a complete salon management system including hardware and software from STX, and furniture and interior design consulting services from Takara Belmont.

Michelle Koster and Lauren Hrusovsky met with Intoccia and created a design blueprint for the salon’s makeover, which will start in late January. To save on budget, Bamboo will retain its flooring and mirrors, but get new sleek new Bossa Nova styling chairs, a new front desk and a new shampoo area. “Because the existing mirrors are glued on the walls, the layout will remain the same, but it will be a very different look,” says Hrusovsky. “We settled on rich, dark wood accents and light-colored gray walls to brighten up the space. Special, illuminated bamboo accents on the front desk will add something special.”

Although Intoccia says they are waiting to accept the new Keratin Complex products until the space has been redesigned and the Keratin Complex team can help them merchandise the products, they’ve already held two product education classes—a smoothing class giving by regional sales/education manager Nina Detling and a color class taught by Elite Inspiration team member Niki Galanomatis. “I did a hands-on class and everyone participating in creating beautiful looks for our two lovely models,” says Galanomatis. “It was a rewarding and exciting day.”

STX’s Jeff Mason spent a day with the Bamboo team, walking him through his 5 Principles of Success, including getting the chair full, communicating effectively, technical skills, interactive styling (retailing) and rebooking and how and when to raise prices. Simultaneously, STX’s Matt Jantomaso worked with the salon’s front desk team, getting them accustomed to the new management system, which will go in with the new décor.

“The whole experience has been incredible inspirational,” says Intoccia. “It’s been a whirlwind, but we’re taking it all in and enjoying the process—growing and getting better.”

THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THE 2015 COMPETITION IS OPEN! And this year, the prize package is even bigger. To enter, salon owners/managers are asked to submit a short essay on how and why they'd like to grow their business to the next level and submit some images of their existing salon design. To learn more and enter, click here.

The 2015 grand prize package, valued at more than $30,000 will include:

• Full retail collection, fully stocked backbar, full Color Therapy product portfolio, and a comprehensive marketing and education package from Keratin Complex.

• A complete salon management system, including hardware and software, from STX.

• A new front desk area or another aren in your salon along with interior design consulting services from Takara Belmont.

• Strategies will complete an assessment of the business, provide a 'makeover plan,' work with the owner and team to implement changes and coach them to measurable success.