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"I would always watch my Nonna do hair, I remember it was Saturday morning I would wake up at 6 a.m. and she already had her clients. It was just so inspirational because she was creating art, but also making women feel so comfortable in their skin."

— Ivana Gentile from her interview with City News Everywhere, Montreal
CONTESSA FINALIST @ivana_gentile
@salonmagazine
Mentor: @stephane_scotto_di_cesare
Photographer: @ds_sanchezPhotographer Assistant: @marcantoine_gascon
Makeup Artist: @thomas.rousseau.hmu
Salon : @bluntmtl
Models: @sarah_hebert28
Hey, you savvy salon human—

As we move into the last quarter of the year, everything starts to get a little louder. The messages, the appointments, the expectations. This is the season when most of us in the industry are sprinting — long days, full books, and clients wanting in “just this once.”

But this year feels different. Many stylists and salon owners are already noticing a shift — clients stretching their appointments, choosing gifts over self-care, or waiting until the last minute to book. It’s easy to take that personally, or to feel like something is wrong. It’s not. It’s just the cycle of business doing what it does.

This issue is about The Quiet Work — the kind that happens when no one’s watching. The decisions, systems, and self-discipline that keep your business steady even when the energy around you changes. The quiet work is what allows you to move through these months with intention instead of reaction.

We’ll talk about how to stay ready without burning out, what to do when the holiday rush doesn’t rush, and why quiet consistency is the most underestimated skill in our industry. Because the truth is, every stylist, salon owner, and educator knows: the loud work gets attention, but the quiet work builds longevity.
Thanks for being here ❤️

Whether you’ve been using SalonMonster for years or just signed up last week, we’re glad you’re with us. We know running a business isn’t easy, and we’re here to make it just a little simpler, smoother, and more yours.

Liam, Stephen, Annie, Denber, Layla and Niku

Monster of the Moment
Annie MacArthur - salonMonster Spotlight User

Annie MacArthur
Lucid Room + salonMonster

Go-to coffee order?

Regular latte with oat milk.


Current vibe: What song, scent, or show is in rotation right now?

Song: “What Else Is There?” by Röyksopp—melancholic, a little haunted, and somehow still grounding.
Scent: Faint citrus peel over cold stone and palo santo—clean but grounded.
Movie: Terminal with Margot Robbie—hyper-stylized, strange, and all about navigating chaos with perfectly styled hair in every scene.

What’s one way salonMonster has made your day easier lately?

One of the ways salonMonster has made my day easier is by allowing our hybrid salon to be part of the beta testing process. We get to test new features in real time, see how they fit into our daily workflow, and offer feedback based on what truly happens behind the chair.

Watching how our independent stylists and commission team use the system differently has given us incredible insight — and it means the voice of the everyday hairdresser is actually shaping the tools we use.

That’s one of the reasons I also love working behind the scenes with salonMonster. It’s not just about building software — it’s about building something that genuinely supports our industry.

What’s your signature service—or the one you love doing most?

I don’t take clients right now, but I still love doing hair when we’re building collections or developing new techniques. That’s the work I love.

What’s your favorite SalonMonster feature?

The ability to add internal appointment notes that clients can’t see—we use it to flag education models, special timing needs, or when someone needs a quiet visit.
Get Featured Here!
Scout's System Check

Feature Spotlight: Notes that Remember

We’re big believers that the small details make all the difference — especially when it comes to client care. That’s why we’re excited to share one of the newest updates in development: the upgraded Notes feature.

This enhancement allows you to view all notes from a client’s profile history in one place — giving you a clear, continuous record of every visit, adjustment, and insight. No more scrolling through appointment histories or digging for that one detail from last season’s color correction — the information you need will be right there when you need it.

We’re currently beta testing this feature and will be rolling it out soon. It’s a quiet upgrade, but one that will make a big difference in how you connect with and care for your clients.

Because sometimes, The Quiet Work isn’t about doing more — it’s about letting you work smarter not harder.
Vote on New Features

Tools & Distractions
Tools

Yasaka Straight Handle

Yasaka offers high quality Japanese shears at an affordable price. the secret is that the blade is made from high end cobalt steel while the handle is an inexpensive stainless steel. This allows Yasaka to keep the prices affordable while maintaining quality cutting performance, they have done this consistently for over 40 years and are known worldwide.

Perfect for beginners, seasoned professionals, and anyone in between. These shears are Lightweight and Ergonomic. The crisp, convex edges will retain sharpness and keep you working. These are great shears for High Volume Hair Stylists as well.


Distractions

Dammit Dolls

When life gets frustrating, don't bottle it up. Slam it out with a Dammit Doll! These handcrafted stress-relief dolls are made for those moments when you just need to let it all out. Grab your doll, give it a good whack, and yell “Dammit!” Because sometimes, that's exactly what you need.
Curated Chaos for the Everyday Creative

Ctrl + Stephen 


Random thoughts on business and tech
Working on the business

There’s a line from The E-Myth Revisited that’s stuck with me for years: “Work on your business, not just in it.”

Interestingly, when we spoke to dozens of salon coaches, it was the number-one book they all recommended. And I get why.

For me, this idea has always been easier to admire than to practice. It’s so easy to spend my days heads-down in the urgent stuff – the emails, the bug fixes, the support messages, the endless task list – because it feels productive. I’m cutting through the jungle as fast as I can. But every now and then I remember the old parable: it’s not enough to move quickly through the jungle if you’re cutting in the wrong direction.

That’s the challenge of working on the business. It’s the quiet work. The kind that doesn’t shout for attention, doesn’t ping your notifications, and doesn’t leave you with a neat box to check at the end of the day. It’s the work that asks harder questions: Are we headed where we actually want to go? Are these the right systems? The right goals?

Lately I’ve been trying something new: time-blocking a bit of time each week to do nothing but think about the big picture. No meetings, no notifications – just me, a notebook, and sometimes a walk. I book that time like I would any client. Because if I don’t, it disappears under the noise. It doesn't always work, there's often a squeaky wheel that interrupts, but I just keep trying.

I’ll be honest, I’m not great at it yet. My mind can be a bit of a constant cacophony of ideas and half-finished thoughts. But I’m learning that clarity doesn’t come from speed – it comes from stillness. And every time I pause long enough to zoom out, I find the work ahead feels a little clearer, and a lot more meaningful.

Here’s to more of that quiet, deliberate work – the kind that keeps us cutting through the jungle in the right direction.

Stephen

Inside the Mind of a Creative Hustler:

A Candid Chat with Andy Judd
Are you looking for hairstyling inspiration from someone who has built a successful career in the industry? In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Andy Judd, a Nashville-based hairstylist known for his creativity, business acumen, and ability to stay ahead of the trends. This conversation is packed with insights into the world of hairstyling, salon ownership, and personal branding.

Read more on our blog
Saved for Later...
Interesting links that crossed our path


Encouraging On-the-Spot Salon Client Rebooking.

In the competitive world of salon and spa businesses, two things stand out as crucial for success: loyalty and effective time management. One of the simplest yet most effective ways to achieve both is by ensuring that your clients rebook their appointments before leaving your establishment. Watch our video below or read on as we explore the significance of on-the-spot rebooking and share valuable strategies to help you grow your salon or spa business. (And salonMonster makes this easy, with the ability to turn on a rebooking prompt that reminds you before you check out a client.)

Read the Article from The Salon Business



The hairstylist client relationship: a bond rooted in trust.

It takes a lot to be a successful hairstylist — the training, the apprenticeships, the natural talent. It takes years and years to master the craft. But on top of all the skill and knowledge, there are two important and deeply individualistic qualities that all of the most successful hairstylists possess: personality and empathy. 

Read the Article by Beyond the Shag

❤️


Love salonMonster? 


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Talking Shop with Liam


Video interviews with our amazing community
Thinking about hybrid staffing or tightening your policies? Liam sits down with hairstylist and salon owner Nikii Beis (Elevated Studio, Squamish, BC) to unpack practical systems that working pros can use right away.
Commission vs Chair Rental: How Nikii Beis Runs a Hybrid Salon

salonMonster Vision
Video interviews with our amazing community
How to Use the salonMonster Staff Picker (Multi-Staff Guide)
Gender-Affirming Salons: Kristin Rankin on Dress Code Project
Monster Sightings 
Events to check out



Executive Summit - Pro Beauty Association 

November 17–18, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona, USA

The PBA Executive Summit is the ultimate gathering for beauty’s brightest minds—manufacturers, distributors, salon and spa owners, and industry leaders. It’s where big ideas meet bold action, fueled by cutting-edge consumer insights, trend forecasting, and visionary thinking. Together, we ignite connections, spark innovation, and shape the future of beauty. Be part of the transformation!

Learn More


Hb Sessions - Hairbrained 

January 26, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA

Education creates ripples, and when the right lesson meets the right time and place, those ripples grow into waves. Let’s make waves together!

Learn More
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