Did you know that salons in the United States and Canada generate about half a million pounds of waste every day? 

Beauty shouldn't come at the planet's expense. Guest Shane Price founded Green Circle Salons in 2009, a company that parters with salon companies to recover up to 95% of salon waste. That includes hair clippings, foils, tubes, excess color and more. The program is supported through a small fee on guests' tickets at no cost to the salon. It can boost revenue by appealing to increasingly eco-conscious customers. And as Blake points out, Gen Z stylists place a high value on sustainability. Blake and Shane also address recycling skeptics!

Learn more at greencirclesalons.com and sign up by April 30 to take advantage of their Earth Month special offer with $650+ in added value. 

Follow Green Circle on Instagram @greencirclesalons. 

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.

SUMM IT UP is produced and edited by Andrea Muraskin. The executive producer is Tim Fisk.

What is a day in the life of a content creator like? How do you balance your responsibilities as a creator with your work as a stylist behind the chair? And what does it take to amass a significant following on social media in the hair salon industry? 

Our guest this episode is Alejandro Lopez, an incredibly talented stylist based in Orlando, Florida, with over 870K followers on Tiktok and 670K on Instagram as of April 2026. 

 Alejandro chats with Blake about his background in braiding, how he transitioned to vivid color work, and what his daily life is like as both a stylist behind the chair and content creator.

LEARN MORE

Follow Alejandro on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube @artistic.aestheticss.

This episode was produced by Erica Furgiuele. It was originally published in September 2024. 

Get in touch with Summit and let us know what you think of the podcast or what topics you’d like us to cover next.  

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.

SUMM IT UP is produced and edited by Andrea Muraskin. The executive producer is Tim Fisk.

SALON TODAY recently announced their 2026 SALON TODAY 200 honorees, one of the industry's most coveted awards. Does your salon company have spectacular customer service? Enviable growth numbers? An amazing culture? A kick-ass education program? Here's how you can get featured next year. 

Stacey Soble is Editor in Chief of SALON TODAY, the only salon industry media outlet solely focused on business. She's also the organizer and a judge of the SALON TODAY 200, one of the industry's most coveted awards.  She's been involved in the conversation of salon business for more than two decades—as a reporter, a consultant and as the editor in chief of SALON TODAY.

In this episode, host Blake Reed Evans chats with Stacey about the relationship between industry media and salon pros and some of the business innovations she's most excited about. Is your salon company newsworthy? Stacey explains how to get the judges' attention in your application for SALON TODAY 200, and more. 

Learn more about the awards, Sign up for the Salon Today newsletter on their homepage to be notified as soon as applications are available. Follow Salon Today on IG @salontodayofficial, and follow Stacey @staceysoble. 

This episode was originall published in July 2024. 

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.

SUMM IT UP is produced and edited by Andrea Muraskin. The executive producer is Tim Fisk.

Salon professionals have a unique ability to create a safe space for our clients, lend a friendly ear and build years-long relationships. For someone in a domestic violence situation, the salon may be the one of few or even the only place they can go without their abuser. So how do we identify the signs of domestic violence, and offer the right kind of support for clients and team members who may be in danger? 

Our guest Liz McKeon is a salon business expert, author of the best-selling book, ’30 Days to Beauty Business Success’, and and UK & Irish Ambassador for Shear Haven Domestic Violence Training. 

Access the training at shearhaventraining.org. 

Learn more about Liz at lizmckeon.com. 

Follow her on Instagram lizmckeonbizliz.

If you feel unsafe at home, find a hotline for your country or location here. 

This episode does not contain descriptions of violent acts. It was originally recorded in June 2024. 

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.

SUMM IT UP is produced and edited by Andrea Muraskin. The executive producer is Tim Fisk.

“He’s been with us for 13 years. He’s the new guy.” When host Blake Reed Evans heard those words on a visit to Three-13 Salon in Marietta, Georgia, he knew we had to talk about this business’ staying power on the show. 

Our guest Lester Crowell is a managing partner at Three-13, a departmentalized salon and spa company that’s been running for 52 years. What’s their secret? The formula combines lots of structure, weekly service provider education, and schedule flexibility when it comes to guests. 

Three-13 also gives back to the community. Lester is a two-time heart transplant recipient, and  fifteen years ago Lester and Three-13 launched Angels of Life, a hair and fashion show benefiting the Georgia Transplant Foundation. Through the show and employee bake sales, Three-13 has raised over $1 million to help transplant recipients. 

Learn more at 

three-13.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.

SUMM IT UP is produced and edited by Andrea Muraskin. The executive producer is Tim Fisk.

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.

SUMM IT UP is produced and edited by Andrea Muraskin. The executive producer is Tim Fisk.

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.

SUMM IT UP is produced and edited by Andrea Muraskin. The executive producer is Tim Fisk.

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.

SUMM IT UP is produced and edited by Andrea Muraskin. The executive producer is Tim Fisk.

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.

SUMM IT UP is produced and edited by Andrea Muraskin. The executive producer is Tim Fisk.

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.

SUMM IT UP is produced and edited by Andrea Muraskin. The executive producer is Tim Fisk.