SucceSS Story
Joico International Artistic Director
Damien Carney, an in-demand educator
and session stylist, recently shared the
secrets to his professional success with
cosmetology students at the Kohler
Academy in Scottsdale, AZ.
1. Establish strong foundations. It’s
essential to have more than just basic
technical skills and business knowledge.
“It’s important to have solid foundations
in all areas of your life,” advises Carney,
“physically, emotionally
and spiritually.”
2. Commit to continuing
education—inside
the classroom and
out. Carney says
that information and
inspiration are all
around you. “Magazines,
television, films, websites, even parties
and professional events can yield
valuable insights and ideas,” he says.
“Stay switched on. You never know
what you might pick up from a random
photo, the style of a passerby or even a
casual chat at the bar.”
3. Your work reflects the career you
will have. “If you do boring work, your
clients will be boring and your business
will lack luster,” Carney warns. “If you
project energy and a great attitude, and
you cultivate great technical skills, you’ll
always have lots of interesting clients
and a solid business.”
4. Discover what you love best, and
be the best at what you love. “Pay
attention to where your passion takes
you, whether it’s cutting or coloring
or styling,” Carney says. “When you
understand what you love the most,
focus on it tirelessly.”
5. Customize your work. “It’s
important to understand the esthetics
of your work so that the hair suits
the client’s facial features and shape,
bone structure, complexion, body
type and personal style,” he says.
“Regardless of whether the style is
classic, natural, romantic or avant
garde, it must, first and foremost, be
pretty and flattering.” —L.M.
damien carney
Moore Hair Design
Megan Moore first opened Moore Hair Design in Salt Lake City in 2007. In November
2010, she moved the salon to a new location in the city and expanded from eight employees
to 15. “I hired a staff that is very well-rounded,” Moore says. “I have a hair-replacement
guru, color educators, stylists, and bridal and short-hair specialists on staff full time.” When
conceptualizing the 2,200-square-foot salon’s design, Moore decided she wanted the salon
to appeal to a large variety of tastes and made sure both male and female clients would be
comfortable. “All the perimeter walls are nearly all white to keep the space bright and airy,
and help keep the focus on the six huge windows on each side of the salon,” Moore says.
Ornate silver mirrors, black and chrome styling stations, exposed ductwork and concrete
floors contribute to the elegant modern atmosphere. In addition to expanding the salon and its
staff, Moore also expanded the salon’s marketing endeavors to attract and maintain clients.
“Moore Hair Design has been successful because we have maintained a balance between
excellent business strategies, quality services and client care,” Moore says. “I focused my
marketing into web-based avenues, revamped the salon’s website and logo and made the
entire image of the business more cohesive.” To see what Moore Hair Design looked like
before it reopened in the new location, visit blog.americansalonmag.com. —N.A.
Moore to Love
MobILe WoRK StAtIon
Former salon owner Jon Maple first recognized the
need for an effective salon management tool more
than 25 years ago. Today, Maple is president and
CEO of Salon Transcripts, an Apple-exclusive
salon and spa management software that virtually replaces
front desk functions. By downloading the App for the software,
salon owners and stylists can book appointments, track receipts and handle cash and
payroll transactions. “The benefits of mobility have been enormous for our clients”, says
Maple. “The cost savings of eliminating paper travelers alone is enough to justify it, but
there is so much more.” The software—available for iPhones, iPads and iPod touches—
also offers a Mobile Terminal hardware, an attachable device that instantly transforms an
iPod touch into a mobile credit card scanning terminal. “With the guest there in the chair, an
authorized employee with an iPod touch Mobile Terminal can perform almost any function
including pre-booking their next appointment,” says Maple. The device can also scan
inventory and automatically enter the information into the Salon Transcripts database while
wirelessly updating the on-hand inventory. —C.N.
58 american Salon April 2011
