The multi-location beauty, grooming and wellness businesses that compose the membership of the International Salon/Spa Business Network had cowboy boots on the ground in Austin, Texas, in April for their 2025 conference. With the overall theme of ‘Lead the Future,’ the conference dove into generational leadership strategies, economic trends and predictions, as well as AI and best management practices. 

“Our theme underscores the role each of us plays in shaping the evolution of professional beauty, barbering and wellness,” ISBN President Edward Logan (CEO, Sport Clips)  told the owners and executives. “As ISBN members, we are at the forefront of innovation, advocacy, and workforce development. Together, we tackle industry challenges head-on and create opportunities for long-term success.”

Keynote Speaker Jason Dorsey, author of Zconomy: How Gen Z Will Change the Future of Business and What to Do About It, opened the conference with a data-driven presentation that revealed the hidden generational trends impacting businesses and how Gen Z as team members and clients are very different than media headlines portray. 

“The biggest criticism of younger generations is they act entitled, but entitlement is a learned behavior,” said Dorsey. 

Dorsey shared several ideas that interpreted the needs of the misunderstood generation and how leaders can meet them from a management perspective. 

“When you ask this generation what’s the biggest benefit they are seeking from employers, they are looking for access to mental health, and providing that can be cheaper than you might imagine through subscriptions to telehealth,” he said. 

Dorsey also cited schedule flexibility, same-day pay, digital-first communications and creating a strong sense of community as management practices today’s companies should consider to attract a Gen Z workforce. 

On the second day of the conference, Logan updated members on strategic priorities for the association, including increasing the impact of ISBN government affairs, elevating the industry using data, and driving new energy and membership. ISBN Government Affairs Representatives Frank Zona of Zona Professional, Rhoda Olsen of Great Clips and Gordon Logan of Sport Clips shared updates and call to action with members.

“With No Tax on Tips and the 45B Tax Credit, we are at the 5-yard line, and we need to stay in the game,” cautioned Zona. 

Next, Jada Coyne, head of partnerships, implementation and product for SalonUltimate Powered by BookedBy, shared how AI is transforming salon and spa efficiency. 

“Your AI strategy will either put you ahead, or make it hard to ever catch up,” she said. 

Natalie Lockhart, GVP of strategy, customer insights and digital experience for Sally Beauty Holdings, revealed results from an annual Cosmoprof survey that explored what today’s stylists want. 

“We’re seeing big changes…they want connection to the salon community, they want to be involved in their local communities and they want connection with other beauty pros,” Lockhart shared. 

Taylor St. Germain, an economist from ITR Economics, outlined the challenges and opportunities the next few years will present. He predicted that the overall economy will grow from now through 2030, he also shared that interest rates will continue to rise, suggesting that now is a good time for members to invest in their companies. St. Germain did admit that the administration’s stance on tariffs throws an element of unpredictability into his forecasting. 

“As an economist, targeted tariffs make sense, but I struggle with sweeping ones,” he shared.

In the afternoon, attendees were able to choose from three breakout sessions: 

• Gene Juarez’s Katie Trent, Great Clips’ Steve Hockett and Regis’ Jim Lain led a conversation on employment shifts and strategies for retention, compliance and recruitment. 

• Emily Brown and Patrick Butler of V’s Barbershop facilitated a session that helped eliminate the fear and bias around textured hair.

• And, Monica Hickey of Evoke helped attendees understand the attention economy. 

To close out the conference, members participated in ISBN’s signature Masterminds, choosing three roundtable-style conversations from multiple management topics to share and brainstorm ideas with their peers. 

One of the biggest foundations of ISBN has always been the power of its networking, and the association created several opportunities during the conference for attendees to connect with one another. Before the sessions began, members were invited to an elegant dinner at The Four Seasons sponsored by Obliphica. Attendees selected between two excursions—a golf tournament or a riverboat cruise—which gave them a little taste of Austin flavor. In addition, a New Members Reception, A Golden Hours in the Hills Reception and a Vintage Aged to Perfection Reception sponsored by L’Oréal encouraged a wealth of conversations. 

To learn more about ISBN, visit salonspanetwork.org and follow @isbnmembers on social media.