Lou DeCola is the owner of DeCola Salon in Exton, Pennsylvania—an award-winning salon named one of the Top 200 Salons in the Nation for five years in a row. With over 42 years in the beauty industry, Lou has built a career defined by innovation, leadership, and a passion for helping others succeed.
He started as a sole proprietor in West Chester, PA, and over the years, his drive and talent have led to standout accomplishments—developing his own haircare line and expanding its reach on QVC, being featured in publications like Main Line Today and Philadelphia Magazine, and providing hair and makeup for TV shows such as The Makeover Story and 10! Show.
Lou is also a respected voice in the industry, regularly speaking at major salon shows across the country and offering private consulting for salon owners nationwide. His honest, direct approach helps businesses grow with real-world strategies that work. In addition to consulting, Lou has delivered countless education seminars for stylists, sharing both technical skills and business know-how to help them build successful, lasting careers.
Check out Lou’s instagram here: @lou.decola
Watch the Podcast on Youtube here: Lou DeCola : Salon Owner and Business Coach
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Meet Nikki Cestaro, an accomplished hairdresser whose journey has now led her to become an author. With over thirty-five years of experience in the industry, Nikki has built a reputation for her exceptional skills. She has styled countless clients, and always bringing out the best in everyone who sits in her chair.
Nikki’s writing offers an authentic glimpse into the life of a hairdresser, filled with personal anecdotes, professional triumphs, and the challenges that come with the territory. Nikki’s journey is a testament to her resilience and dedication, and through her book, she aims to inspire both seasoned professionals and aspiring stylists.
Check out Nikki’s Instagram: @superhairothebook2024
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Shelbie Moser is the owner of Lightning Hair Lounge & Lifestlye Co. - a salon owner and lifestyle coach on a missions to ignite a life of health, wealth and happiness for hairstyles and salon owners. After years of building, managing, and leading a thriving team she launched Lightning Lifestyle Coaching to help others break free from burnout, overwhelm, and the emotional stress that often storms through the beauty industry. Through her 5 Lightning Lifestyle Pillars of Success, Shelbie empowers high-achieving woman to take radical ownership of their lives and careers. From launching her first business at 22 to buying her first rental property at 27, she's turned personal trials into powerful transformation. Her coaching is designed to spark bold habits, build unstoppable routines, and unleash electric energy - so you can live life at full throttle behind the chair and beyond.
Check out Shelbie’s Instagram! @shelbiemoser
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With over 15 years of experience in the beauty industry, Jaclyn has dedicated her career to redefining salon culture, mentoring stylists, and helping hairdressers achieve their dream careers. She began her journey at the Paul Mitchell School at the young age of 20 while pursuing a professional dance career. Inspired by her mentors and educators, she rose to become a John Paul Mitchell Systems National Educator, traveling to hair shows and salons nationwide to share her expertise.
As the proud owner of Alchemy Salon in East Downtown Houston for over 8 years, Jaclyn leads a team of talented stylists, fostering a creative and collaborative environment. Her leadership is rooted in mentorship, education, and a commitment to elevating the salon experience for both clients and stylists.
Beyond the salon, Jaclyn’s passion for education extends into the community. She founded Salon Mastermind Houston, a platform that empowers salon owners to grow thriving businesses and improve salon culture through strategic coaching, events, and discussions.
While Jaclyn has stepped away from working behind the chair, her focus remains on growing her salon, mentoring her team, and helping hairdressers across the industry master the skills needed for both hair artistry and business success.
Jaclyn’s dedication to growth, education, and excellence ensures that Alchemy Salon is not just a place for beautiful hair but a hub for innovation, creativity, and inspiration.
Check out Jaclyn’s Instagram: @jaclynmascione
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Tracey Napotnik has over 3 decades in the beauty industry. Salon owner for over 20.
Tracey is powerhouse educator, industry disruptor, and the visionary founder of http://SalonTraining.com —a groundbreaking platform revolutionizing education for beauty professionals. With decades of experience behind the chair and in the classroom, Tracey saw a gap in the industry: talented stylists craved advanced education, but access was scattered, inconsistent, and often out of reach.
So, she created the solution.
http://SalonTraining.com brings the industry’s top trainers and educators together in one dynamic online space—offering on-demand, real-time, and affordable education that meets beauty pros exactly where they are. From cutting-edge techniques to business mastery, Tracey’s mission is simple: elevate the beauty industry by making world-class education accessible to all.
Known for her infectious energy, heart-led leadership, and relentless drive, Tracey is not just changing the game—she’s building a movement.
Check out Tracy’s Instagram: @salontrainingpro
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To take your salon business to the NEXT LEVEL, go to https://linktr.ee/nlsleadership and sign up for the course!
Follow @NLSalonLeadership on Facebook and Instagram, and be sure to check out the full interview on our YouTube channel! https://youtu.be/MKrS6fOZLtA
Chris Baran:
Alongside his work as Global Artistic Director, facilitation and training coach, Chris divides his time between major trade shows, hands-on workshops, training trainers. “Coach Chris” is also the founder of Trainers Playbook, a company dedicated to creating easy to understand technical training systems for associate training, turning stylists into 6-figure earners and elevating the teaching skills of industry educators. Chris’ accolades include Canadian Hairdresser of the Year, Mirror Awards International Stylist of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as NAHA’s prestigious Avant-garde and Master Stylist titles shows his dedication to the hairdressing craft. Being awarded Educator of the Year in Canada and US, ABBIE award for Best Educational Program, and the success of his Salon Associate Training garnering testimonials such as “game changer”, “saving 3 months of training time”, and “a confidence our associates are coming out of the program they never had before” demonstrates his commitment to growth of our industry. Coach Chris’ career investment was thousands of hours and hundreds of thousands of dollars on trainings. The anxiety that came along with the mistakes and screw ups to get to “The Learning”. His Mission is to help others be successful faster, so they don’t have to go through the all the pain, time, and money that he did.
Toby Price:
Growing up on a dairy farm, Toby Price was cutting firewood before picking up a pair of shears. Beginning with his own hair, then a few buddies and even their moms.
Toby's passion for haircutting led him to enroll in his local beauty school and pursue hairdressing as a career. As the owner of The Experience Salon and a traveling educator for John Paul Mitchell Systems. Toby gets to impact lives every day, for the better.
Video on Youtube:
https://youtu.be/tsdfn3C2Vu8
To take your salon business to the NEXT LEVEL, go to https://linktr.ee/nlsleadership and sign up for the course!
Follow @NLSalonLeadership on Facebook and Instagram, and be sure to check out the full interview on our YouTube channel! https://youtu.be/MKrS6fOZLtA
To take your salon business to the NEXT LEVEL, go to https://linktr.ee/nlsleadership and sign up for the course!
Follow @NLSalonLeadership on Facebook and Instagram, and be sure to check out the full interview on our YouTube channel! https://youtu.be/MKrS6fOZLtA David Kinigson is an award-winning hairdresser, national educator, editorial stylist, inspirational speaker and the author of two renowned books. The Haircutter’s Handbook - his critically acclaimed education manual - includes a preface by Vidal Sassoon and thoughtful comments from your favorite industry icons, leaders, and legends. Among them: Stephen Moody, Nick Arrojo, Charlie Price, Tabatha Coffey, Howard McLaren, Vivienne Mackinder, Winn Claybaugh, Dwight Miller, Van Council and Gerard Scarpaci. His new book The Power of Asking What? Overcoming Challenges and Fears - A Conversation for Mindset In Action has a preface by Richard Condon and includes praise from Mary Wilson, Geno Stampora, Jay Williams, Joe Santy and Maria Fontana. As an independent educator, David’s passion is mentoring hairdressers to overcome their challenges and fears associated with haircutting and life. In every Haircutting Think & Learn workSpace, David shares “Wet & Dry Fusion Haircutting" because there are benefits to both. Throughout his 50-year career, David's editorial work has appeared in magazines such as, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Allure, Elle, Glamour, Marie Claire, Self, Seventeen, Esquire, GQ and Interview. His original haircutting concepts, styles and philosophies have been featured in Modern Salon, American Salon, Beauty Launchpad, Independent Beauty Professional, Salon Today and Estetica magazines. An inspirational keynote speaker, David has been featured at conferences that include: Intercoiffure, Serious Business, Arrojo Expo, Eufora VisionQuest and Global Connection, Van Michael Salons Annual Conference, Visible Changes Team Conference and the Florida Foster and Adoptive Parents Association (FAPA) Educational Conference.
To take your salon business to the NEXT LEVEL, go to https://linktr.ee/nlsleadership and sign up for the course!
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Sonny D has a passion for educating that takes his audiences to the next level and beyond. A graduate of Paul Mitchell The School, Sonny D has been on the Paul Mitchell Advanced Academy and editorial teams. As a Paul Mitchell platform artist, he shared the stage with Angus Mitchell, Robert Cromeans, and Stephanie Kocielski, to name just a few. His new brand, The Salon Project 1.0, Inc., includes three Paul Mitchell Focus Salons that hire new professionals and immerse them in an accelerated career path designed by Sonny D. His book, YFYI — Your First Year in the Beauty Industry, helps new stylists navigate the critical foundation of building their careers.
To take your salon business to the NEXT LEVEL, go to https://linktr.ee/nlsleadership and sign up for the course!
Follow @NLSalonLeadership on Facebook and Instagram, and be sure to check out the full interview on our YouTube channel!
Taryn Hiatt
As a dedicated advocate, Taryn shares her story and passion to give hope and educate communities about suicide. A founding member of the Utah Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, she currently serves as Area Director for Utah and Nevada.
Taryn is a passionate advocate for change and has been featured in U.S. News and Huffington Post. She has testified before Congressional members in Washington, DC, to increase awareness and support for better access to mental health services and to promote healthy discussions about suicide. Taryn has used her lived experience and the loss of her father to suicide as a catalyst for change.
She is widely respected throughout Utah for her hard work and dedication to saving lives. Taryn is a graduate of Utah Valley University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and has been accepted into the master’s in social work program, beginning in August 2022
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YVONNE MACINNIS GLOBAL MAKE UP ARTIST, EDUCATOR, BRAND CONSULTANT & ADVOCATE FOR ETHICS AND INCLUSION IN BEAUTY SPACES AS A PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP ARTIST, EDUCATOR AND ADVOCATE FOR ETHICS AND CELEBRATION OF DIVERSITY AND LGBTQIA+2 INCLUSION IN BEAUTY SPACES FOR 17+ YEARS, YVONNE IS SOUGHT AFTER BY BEAUTY BRANDS AND PUBLICATIONS WORLDWIDE FOR HER MASTERFUL BEAUTY WORK AND FLAIR FOR USING COLOR AND TEXTURE IN UNCONVENTIONAL WAYS.
To take your salon business to the NEXT LEVEL, go to https://linktr.ee/nlsleadership and sign up for the course!
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Studio Wish Salon Spa – Founder & Creator of Opportunities RY Coaching – Life & Business Coach Rowena Yeager has been a successfully driven artist behind the chair since 1987. Her career has been powered with education from Sassoon’s, Redken, Wella, Pivot Point, Mantra, and Actyva. In 1995 She joined the Graham Webb National Guest Artist team and traveled for 6 years sharing Precision Cutting, training new educators how to be successful presenters, and working with distributor sales teams across the US. She has won several awards in her career, "Best Educational Presentation" by the Indiana State Board of Cosmetology for her stage work as a National Guest Artist with Graham Webb, “Small Business Person of the Year” by her Chamber of Commerce, and the PBA Spirit Award which honors the service of an outstanding member. In 2001 she opened Studio Wish Salon now located in Twinsburg, Ohio. Her and her successful team moved into a new location in October 2022 and added a spa to expand their services into luxury skincare with an emphasis on relaxation and mental health. Her salon has been named one of the top salons in the Akron Canton area and has been awarded 16 years as a "Top 200 Salon" in Salon Today Magazine. In 2002 Rowena joined PBA as a member. Known as a networking and social media guru she was voted by her peers in 2009 to represent the beauty industry on the PBA Salon/Spa Leadership Team where she served 9 years working to elevate the professionalism within the beauty industry. From 2017-2022 Rowena was appointed to the Ohio State Board of Cosmetology by Governer Kasich where she worked on cosmetology curriculum and rules committee with her fellow board members. Rowena’s side business is life and business coaching. “Sharing knowledge on how to have success and experience the greatest joys in life fills my soul. If all the knowledge I have I kept to myself, it would have no value. Helping others find happiness and live their greatest journey of success without fear of failure is my purpose and passion. Create a world of kindness and love. Let’s RISE! No one ever collided with the sky.”
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Karla Lopez-Martinez: After graduating Cosmetology college in 1997, Karla has had the pleasure to wear many hats along her career path of over 23yrs. In addition to building a strong clientele as a colorist, she is also the Owner and one of the leaders of Gila Rut salons in San Diego, Ca. with a team of 65+ employees and 2 locations. “My goal as a salon owner, educator, coach and mentor is to inspire my team and those around me to achieve their highest professionals and personal goals” says Karla Her passion for continued education and mentorship has become her mission. So much so, that in 2016 she Co-Founded Beauty Backbone Inc. an on-line resource for employee based salons, who are looking to have a thriving and sustainable company. Beauty backbone’s focus is on providing 5 pillars of education for salon leaders. The 5 pillars are Culture, Operations, Finances, Education and Leadership.. “I’m extremely grateful for all the opportunities I have been privileged to have in my career, and through that, in my personal life. I’m excited to share my experiences, my lessons, my vision, and my passion with everyone that is ready to elevate their salon business through my work at Beauty Backbone!” says Karla Her education over the years has been extensive and wide. She has participated in countless academies to master her behind the chair craft. These include; AVEDA, Toni&Guy, Vidal Sassoon, L’Oreal, Paul Brown, Keratin Complex, AVEDA Business college. To best execute her salon owner vision she has also attended countless Business Academies including; San Diego State University Digital Marketing, Qnity Education, Landmark, AVEDA Business College, The Salon People Academy, Brendon Bruchard’s coaching summit and more Karla is a frequent Webinar Guest presenter and speaker for; AVEDA Business college, Imaginal marketing, Bellus Academy, Fashion Week San Diego since 2012, AVEDA Congress, Aura Salon software, multiple Club houses and many others
As a seven-time NAHA winner, Redken Master Artist, top educator and celebrity stylist, Ruth Roche has taken a seat at the top of the hair world. With an editorial list including The New York Times, Vanity Fair, Cosmopolitan, and Noise there’s no doubt about her influence or expertise. Having built her own NYC salon from the ground up, she knows how to go from a single chair to having her own brand. Her down-to-earth coaching style, coupled with a strong belief that anyone can be creative with the right tools and hard work, empowers stylists, from beginners to veterans, to develop their eye where they can create anything imaginable. Ruth is known for her versatility, from cutting edge looks to low maintenance chic, and demonstrates an aptitude for both the commercial and more avant-garde artwork in editorial and fashion. Join Ruth Roche at the top and develop your confidence to achieve anything you desire in the world of hair.
To take your salon business to the NEXT LEVEL, go to https://linktr.ee/nlsleadership and sign up for the course!
Follow @NLSalonLeadership on Facebook and Instagram, and be sure to check out the full interview on our YouTube channel!
Ronit Enos, is a Profit Jedi, host of Huddle Time with Ronit, Amazon bestselling author of Profit First for Salon and the business mastermind behind helping business owners seamlessly generate record-breaking net profits that powerfully elevate their impact. As a serial entrepreneur, Ronit launched and grew her Maxime Brand into an award-winning 7-figure salon (with 6-figure net profits), propelling her to the top 1% of salons in the country. Book Website: https://profitfirstsalons.com/
To take your salon business to the NEXT LEVEL, go to https://linktr.ee/nlsleadership and sign up for the course!
Follow @NLSalonLeadership on Facebook and Instagram, and be sure to check out the full interview on our YouTube channel!
To take your salon business to the NEXT LEVEL, go to https://linktr.ee/nlsleadership and sign up for the course!
Follow @NLSalonLeadership on Facebook and Instagram, and be sure to check out the full interview on our YouTube channel!
Fumi Eguchi
As the creative director of Lunatic Fringe Salons, award-winning hairdresser and photographer Fumihiko Eguchi led their salon team to two consecutive NAHA wins. Originally from Fukuoka, Japan, Fumi’s lifelong interest in fashion and art compelled him to leave his native country. Hairdressing attracted him as its own art form; his technique is a fine balance between geometry and fluidity. Fumi has worked with numerous industry icons and brands over the last two decades. He is currently working to enrich the culture of hairdressing by creating opportunities for Japanese and American hairdressers to share their skills and knowledge through competitions designed to showcase their best work.
Seth’s life is busy and full- just the way he likes it! Like most 30-somethings, Seth wears many hats: Son, Friend, Entrepreneur, Activist, Producer, Actor and Speaker. Over his career, Seth founded the Thirst Project and currently serves as the Founder & CEO of Legacy Youth Leadership — two creative, diverse non-profit organizations headquartered in the heart of Los Angeles, leading the world’s work to end the global water crisis, and, working to develop young peoples’ leadership skills, respectively.
Seth is a storyteller at heart, and has spoken internationally at over 300 schools, countless churches, and numerous conferences, including Keynote Speeches for the TEDx Hollywood Youth Conference, the Master’s of Science in Communication Commencement Ceremony for Northwestern University, Vancouver Tech Week (“IMPACT”), Envision’s Global Youth Leadership Conference in Washington D.C., the Nexus Global Youth Summit, and meetings with Obama Administration Officials at the White House to discuss how to activate Millennials for social justice and social change. Seth serves the United States Department of State as a member of their U.S. Speaker Program for International Programs representing the United States as a leader in his fields at events and conferences abroad. Seth challenges people to fulfill their true purpose in life & become an engaged and socially-conscious human being. He also is passionate about providing relief for those impacted by the clean water crisis, HIV/AIDS pandemic, feeding the hungry and providing support for the millions of orphans and widows in our world today. Additionally, Seth serves on the Board of Directors for Heartland Film, on the Advisory Board for the Purpose Awards, and the Board of Directors for the Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation.
With his inspiring and humorous style, Seth challenges your thinking and touches your heart. He has traveled internationally speaking to audiences about The Clean Water Crisis, Courageous Leadership, The Power of Youth, and Living an Adventurous & Extraordinary Life. Seth has appeared in numerous professional stage productions, television shows and films including “Miss You Already” alongside Drew Barrymore & Toni Collette, and was one of the activists/personalities who Hosted USA & HLN Networks’ cause-based millennial news show “ASPIREist.” Seth was named to Forbes’ “30 Under 30” in 2014, and has been honored with Vh1’s Do Something Award, the Streamy’s Social Good Award, the Charles Jellinger Humanitarian in Entertainment Award from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, the Compassionate Service Award from the Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation in 2019, and the Distinguished Hoosier Award from the State of Indiana in 2016 — an honor bestowed at the discretion of the Governor to one individual each year who has brought honor and distinction to their Home State of Indiana.
Seth currently splits his time between Nashville, TN and Los Angeles, CA.
To take your salon business to the NEXT LEVEL, go to https://linktr.ee/nlsleadership and sign up for the course!
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Salon Owner. Formal Hair Design and Intricate Braiding Stylist and Educator. Certified Bellami Hair Extension Specialist & Bridal and Editorial Makeup Artist.
Upon completing cosmetology training at Paul Mitchell the School Great Lakes, Caidy opened the doors to her downtown Utica MI salon, Caidy Marie Beauty, where she specializes in Formal Hair Designs, Intricate Braiding, Hair Extensions, Certified through Bellami and in 5 different install methods, and Makeup Artistry, while also providing education to other professionals within the industry, both in person and digitally, on how to create some of her signature Intricate Braiding and Formal Hair Designs.
Above all, Caidy's first and foremost passion, aside from the art she creates, is the connection she has developed with her clients, the team unity she has built and the beauty industry as a whole to which she remains loyal.
To take your salon business to the NEXT LEVEL, go to https://linktr.ee/nlsleadership and sign up for the course!
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Robert Cromeans is the Global Artistic & Business Director for John Paul Mitchell Systems. Proud Hairdresser & Owner of A Robert Cromeans Salon
Mary Cromeans is the Global Educator for John Paul Mitchell Systems & San Diego Hairdresser
To take your salon business to the NEXT LEVEL, go to https://linktr.ee/nlsleadership and sign up for the course!
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