For salon professionals transitioning to management and ownership, leading a salon company can be a steep learning curve. Don't be a passenger on your own business journey. Join Blake Reed Evans and Kevin Robinson, CFO of Summit Salon Business Center, for an essential conversation about financial literacy for salon owners. Learn how to shift from reactive to proactive financial management, identify common blind spots, and build sustainable business practices -- all while embracing an abundance mindset. 

Learn more about Summit Financial Services and book a discovery call. Or email Nikke Salmon at [email protected]

Follow Kevin on Instagram: @kev_robin.

Follow Summit Salon Business Center on Instagram @SummitSalon, and on TikTok at SummitSalon. 

SUMM IT UP  is now on YouTube! Watch extended cuts of our interviews at www.youtube.com/@summitunlocked

Find host Blake Reed Evans on Instagram @BlakeReedEvans and on TikTok at blakereedevans. His DM's are always open! You can email Blake at [email protected]. 

Visit us at SummitSalon.com  to connect with others in the industry. 

It all began with Viola, who's salon did so well that she made more money than the doctor who delivered her son -- in the Great Depression, no less. That son went to hair school and joined the family business too. Fast forward to today, and a small family business has become large and legendary: Viola's great grandchildren own and operate a four-location salon company and a Summit Salon Academy. 

Our guest this episode is Chris Huffstutter, owner of Summit Salon Academy Portland, shareholder at Anastasia Salon, and a Summit School Coach. Listen for a fun and frank conversation on the joys and pitfalls of working with your siblings, and learn how the Huffstutter brothers draw on their dad's wisdom and the latest tech to bring more happiness to their family and employees. 

Reach out to Chris about cosmetology school coaching here. Follow Summit Salon Academy Portland on Instagram @summitsalonacademy_pdx.

You can catch Chris's brother Luke on a previous SUMM IT UP episode,  Stop losing money on color ft. Vish's Tim Howard with Les McFadden and Luke Huffstutter.

Follow Summit Salon Business Center on Instagram @SummitSalon, and on TikTok at SummitSalon. 

SUMM IT UP  is now on YouTube! Watch extended cuts of our interviews at www.youtube.com/@summitunlocked

Find host Blake Reed Evans on Instagram @BlakeReedEvans and on TikTok at blakereedevans. His DM's are always open! You can email Blake at [email protected]. 

Visit us at SummitSalon.com  to connect with others in the industry. 

An entrepreneur, military spouse, mom and life-long high achiever, Laura Watkins thought mental illness was for the weak -- until it happened to her. Laura is the owner of Pure Salon Spa in Louisville, KY, and the author of Something Feels Off: Thriving in Life & Business Beyond a Mental Health Crisis. After coming out of the other end of her own crisis, Laura is working to end the stigma around mental health, and bring the same care and compassion to mental illness as any other illness. 

In this frank conversation, Laura and Blake discuss the nuances of working with employees through mental health issues, and strategies for cultivating a culture that supports mental health in a salon company. Also, why owners should never tell their employees "we're a family here."

Follow Laura Watkins on Instagram @Mentalgirl_502, and learn more about Laura and her book at mentalgirl502.com. 

Follow Summit Salon Business Center on Instagram @SummitSalon, and on TikTok at SummitSalon. 

SUMM IT UP  is now on YouTube! Watch extended cuts of our interviews at www.youtube.com/@summitunlocked

Find host Blake Reed Evans on Instagram @BlakeReedEvans and on TikTok at blakereedevans. His DM's are always open! You can email Blake at [email protected]. 

Visit us at SummitSalon.com  to connect with others in the industry. 

How do you go from seven employees to seven figures 11 years? Heather Piselli, Aliscia Martinelli and Monica Rivera did it together. They're co-owners of Privé Salon Co., with three comission salon locations and a suite rental facility in the Phildelphia metro area. The also co-host the GoHam podcast, featuring unfiltered conversations on business, leadership, and the beauty industry.

On this episode, Blake is joined by Healther, Alisica, and Monica; and their Summit salon coach, Kierstin Nemer, who's been at their side throughout the journey. Yes this is the most guests we've ever had on a single episode -- but the conversation really demonstrates how each team member plays to her strenghts! You'll hear about their strategies for hiring, taking risks, growing service providers, and why the phrase "Go Ham" describes their business ethos. 

Follow Summit Salon Business Center on Instagram @SummitSalon, and on TikTok at SummitSalon. 

SUMM IT UP  is now on YouTube! Watch extended cuts of our interviews at www.youtube.com/@summitunlocked

Find host Blake Reed Evans on Instagram @BlakeReedEvans and on TikTok at blakereedevans. His DM's are always open! You can email Blake at [email protected]. 

Visit us at SummitSalon.com  to connect with others in the industry. 

At Summit, we believe salon professionals should be able to retire on their own terms. In this last episode in our Financials 101 series with CPA Chris Wittich from Boyum Associates, Chris explains why you should be saving for retirement now, even if you're working your very first job. Chris and Blake discuss retirment investment accounts for individuals like IRAs, Roth IRAs, and 401Ks. Also, did you know you can create an online account with the Social Security Administration and see how much you've been contributing in your working life so far? (We didn't!)

From the salon owner perspective, we have advice on providing retirement plans for employees, and how to encourage your staff members to contribute. 

Find Chris Wittich and his team of salon accounting pros at salon.cpa. 

Follow Summit Salon Business Center on Instagram @SummitSalon, and on TikTok at SummitSalon. 

SUMM IT UP  is now on YouTube! Watch extended cuts of our interviews at www.youtube.com/@summitunlocked

Find host Blake Reed Evans on Instagram @BlakeReedEvans and on TikTok at blakereedevans. His DM's are always open! You can email Blake at [email protected]. 

Visit us at SummitSalon.com  to connect with others in the industry. 

Sometimes in the salon business we get so "busy being busy" in November in December that our relationships with clients suffer, and that can  lead to a January and February that are slower than they have to be. Summit salon Coach Chad Faass is back to help you navigate the next few months. 

For salon owners, Chad talks about the importance of showing up for your team consistently, without doing team members' work for them or micromanaging. (Don't go from hero to villian!) Boost morale and save money with an early holiday party, and boost sales by gamifying retail knowledge and other team engagement activities. 

For stylists, Chad and Blake have advice on how to keep conversations with guests positive in difficult political times, and to offer packages, discounts and simpler services to incentivize them to rebook in January and February. 

Plus, advice on how to bring in referrals, and make the best out of the slow times. 

Chad Fass on Instagram -- DM him for team engagement exercises

Learn more about Chad Faass and schedule a discovery call. 

Follow Summit Salon Business Center on Instagram @SummitSalon, and on TikTok at SummitSalon. 

SUMM IT UP  is now on YouTube! Watch extended cuts of our interviews at www.youtube.com/@summitunlocked

Find host Blake Reed Evans on Instagram @BlakeReedEvans and on TikTok at blakereedevans. His DM's are always open! You can email Blake at [email protected]. 

Visit us at SummitSalon.com  to connect with others in the industry. 

Summit Unplugged is SSBC's signature salon leadership retreat in beautiful Cancun, Mexico, and it's back for a second time in January 2026. We're joined by Derek Reynolds, Summit's Associate Director of Training and an organizer of Summit Unplugged. 

Derek and Blake get into the disctinctions between self-soothing and self-care and the importance of true self-care for leaders. Also: the gap between the values of many salon owners (Gen X) who often ignore self-care, and younger employees (Gen Z) who tend to prioritize it more. 

Then it's on to what you can expect at Unplugged, including sessions with top Summit leaders like Heather Bagby, Dave Kirby and Peter Mahoney, all focused around the theme of joy. Derek reports back from his scouting trip to the gorgeous Breathless Riveria Cancun resort -- and you'll hear about some adjustments to the program incorporating feedback from the innaugural event. Plus the keynote speaker -- legendary stylist, educator and entrepreneur Sam Villa. Oh, and btw our host Blake Reed Evans will be bringing his energy and savoir-faire to the role of Master of Ceremonies once again. 

Summit Unplugged takes place January 12-14, 2026. We still have spots available (as of Nov 5, 2025). For questions about registration check our FAQ, or reach out to Derek directly at [email protected]. 

Watch Derek's Instagram reel from Breathless Riveria Cancun and follow him on IG. 

Follow Summit Salon Business Center on Instagram @SummitSalon, and on TikTok at SummitSalon. 

SUMM IT UP  is now on YouTube! Watch extended cuts of our interviews at www.youtube.com/@summitunlocked

Find host Blake Reed Evans on Instagram @BlakeReedEvans and on TikTok at blakereedevans. His DM's are always open! You can email Blake at [email protected]. 

Visit us at SummitSalon.com  to connect with others in the industry. 

As a small business, your salon company has options when it comes to paying taxes. But are you chosing the right one? Whether you're in a parternship, an S corp or a C corp, the best entity for your business might not be the same as the salon across town, or even the same as it was a few years ago when you had four chairs instead of eight. For the second in our Financials 101 series, Boyum Associates accounting wiz Chris Wittich breaks down everything you need to know to make an informed decision. 

You’ll hear:

• The differences between Schedule C, partnerships, S Corps, and C Corps
• Why S Corps are often the go-to for salons—and when it’s time to make the switch
• How state laws and the new FICA tip credit can impact your decision
• The importance of paying yourself a “reasonable salary” as a salon owner (and what that really means)
• Why setting up an LLC is a smart move, even if you’re just starting out
• Common mistakes salon owners make with their taxes

Get more tips and reach out to Chris Wittich at salon.cpa

Learn more about the FICA tax tip credit and tax-free tips!

Follow Summit Salon Business Center on Instagram @SummitSalon, and on TikTok at SummitSalon. 

SUMM IT UP  is now on YouTube! Watch extended cuts of our interviews at www.youtube.com/@summitunlocked

Find host Blake Reed Evans on Instagram @BlakeReedEvans and on TikTok at blakereedevans. His DM's are always open! You can email Blake at [email protected]. 

Visit us at SummitSalon.com  to connect with others in the industry. 

Whether you expect to sell your salon in 6 months or in 20 years, the time to start preparing is now, says Chris Wittich, a CPA who works with Summit and specializes in salons.  Early planning leads to better outcomes, smoother transitions, and higher valuations. And unfotunately, many salon owners miss the mark then it comes to the true value of their salons. 

In this episode you'll learn exactly what factors into a salon's value, and how to make your salon company attractive to buyers. Also: Where to look for a buyer, and tips for selling in "bite-sized pieces" to you own team members. And:  Red and green flags to look out for if you're looking to purchase a salon, 

This is the first in our three part Financials 101 series with Chris Wittich. Learn more about Chris' firm, Boyum Business Advisors. 

ICYMI: Learn more about the changes to the FICA tax tip credit and new tax-free tips rules that benefit salon owners and stylists. 

Stay tuned for the next episode in our series, where Blake and Chris will dive into tax structures and how to set up your business for financial success.

Follow Summit Salon Business Center on Instagram @SummitSalon, and on TikTok at SummitSalon. 

SUMM IT UP  is now on YouTube! Watch extended cuts of our interviews at www.youtube.com/@summitunlocked

Find host Blake Reed Evans on Instagram @BlakeReedEvans and on TikTok at blakereedevans. His DM's are always open! You can email Blake at [email protected]. 

Visit us at SummitSalon.com  to connect with others in the industry. 

 Stylists are increasingly seeing renting their own suite or booth as an appealing alternative to working in a commission salon.  Guest Anne Chesbro is co-owner of a commission salon company, Platinum Salon, as well as a suite rental business in Rochester, NY. She and her husband Joe Chesbro founded Platinum Salon Suites to meet the needs of stylists who wanted to strike out on their own. Unlike most suite rental setups, Anne provides renters with  benefits like laundry, business coaching, free access to stylist education, and more. She says the new business has been a great way to provide stylists the opportunity to be their own bosses, while retaining them within the greater salon family and culture. Tune in for a smart and savvy conversation about navigating changes in our industry.

Follow Anne on Instagram @anne_chesbro.

Follow Anne on TikTok at anne_chesbro.

Follow Summit Salon Business Center on Instagram @SummitSalon, and on TikTok at SummitSalon. 

SUMM IT UP  is now on YouTube! Watch extended cuts of our interviews at www.youtube.com/@summitunlocked

Find host Blake Reed Evans on Instagram @BlakeReedEvans and on TikTok at blakereedevans. His DM's are always open! You can email Blake at [email protected]. 

Visit us at SummitSalon.com  to connect with others in the industry.