Vagaro iconic.22 Conference Session Recap: Industry Talk – Salon & Barber

If there’s one take away from the iconic.22 conference, it’s that hair stylists and barbers need to be nimble—and not just with a pair of clippers. They must embrace contemporary trends, skills and business models to accommodate an industry that can shift with one Academy Awards telecast, viral TikTok...or global pandemic. A panel of three successful salon professionals shared how they pivot, evolve and run thriving businesses. 

The panel was hosted by Paula Peralta, the creative director for Paul Mitchell and celebrity hairdresser based in Los Angeles. Peralta probed about everything from staff turnover to elevating the client experience and creating multiple revenue streams. 

All agreed that, while the pandemic was difficult, it provided them with a much-needed reset. 

“The pandemic allowed us to have a rest and forced us to take a look at our lives,” said panelist India Bertin, owner of Hi Texture Salon, in Atlanta.

Bertin, who recently celebrated her saloon’s tenth year in business, came through the pandemic resolved to earn as much money as possible without working endless, exhausting hours.  

Achieving that goal requires salon owners to think “outside of the chair,” according to panelist Renee Sisson. Sisson is a managing partner at Salon 77 West in Danville, California, and worked as a rep for luxury hair brand, Oribe. She understands how lucrative retail is for salons. 

“Retail is a huge missed opportunity for salons who aren’t homing in on it,” said Sisson.  

To effectively sell products, salon owners must teach their staff to be educators instead of salesman. As the driving force behind a salon’s culture, owners must also educate their teams to create an inclusive environment. 

Roxy Collins, owner of Noble Wolf Barbers in Las Vegas, has a client base that spans the spectrum of gender and race. She described how she communicates with clients genuinely and respectfully—and teaches her barbers to do the same. 

“Inclusivity is a given,” said Collins, who will open her second shop soon. “I’ll never have someone feel offended over something they heard in the chair next to them.”