
The Beauty Pro Book Club: 4 Reads to Inspire Growth and Success
Four publications for beauty industry professionals to enhance their leadership skills, financial awareness, professional growth, and joy!
Nail tech Lexi Martone is well known for her artistry, but it's her baking abilities that have mouths watering lately.

Martone

Martone
Lexi Martone is a well-known name in the world of nails, and she is currently making a name for herself in the world of baking as well. I asked the NTNA alum and NAILS cover arist about her recent appearance on the Food Network and all those yummy Instagram posts.

NAILS: When did you “transition” into baking? Or did you always dabble and we just didn’t know?
Lexi Martone: I’ve always been into baking and cooking and all that stuff. When I said I dabbled in all forms of art I wasn’t kidding.

NAILS: You still own Salon Martone, correct? How are you juggling both cooking/baking and nails?
LM: I still have the salon. Basically I just don’t sleep. I'm kidding! When I’m done with clients for the day I go home and play around in the kitchen all night. I usually bring the newest creations to the salon the next day and everyone yells at me and says I’m making them fat.

NAILS: Tell us about your Food Network appearance.
LM: The show is called Bakers vs. Fakers. There are four contestants on each episode and two are professional bakers and two are “fakers." Spoiler alert: I’m a faker. Everyone’s identity is kept secret on the show and revealed at the end. Afterwards they offered me a series on Cake Boss Buddy Valastro’s YouTube Channel, “Cakehouse." You can check me out on there as the “Cupcake Witch.”
NAILS: What are some of your favorite food creations that you’ve made?
LM: Obviously my Powerpuff cupcakes. We all know if I could Powerpuff the world, I would. I also really love my Wednesday Addams cookie collection.

NAILS: You’ve conquered baking and nails, what next? What are your goals?
LM: Because I don’t have enough things on my plate, I decided to paint sneakers. I love crazy original shoes and have started following a bunch of custom sneaker/shoe-painting Instagrams, which inspired me to start doing some of my own. So keep an eye out for some sneaker creations coming your way! I mean we wanted the salon to be a “one stop shop,” so I guess I'm just seeing how far I can actually take that.

NAILS: What are the similarities between the art of food and the art of nails?
LM: I love working on small canvases so they both allow me to create art on a small scale. That’s why I stick with cupcakes and cookies and don’t create 6-ft. towering cake monstrosities. Both of them require a lot of patience and being detail oriented and a little or a lot of OCD.
Check out Martone's website www.leximartone.com for recipes and follow her on Instagram (@leximartone).

Four publications for beauty industry professionals to enhance their leadership skills, financial awareness, professional growth, and joy!

The most successful salon suites balance personality, function, and comfort. Megan Communale of My Salon Suite shares her best advice for designing a space that supports your business goals and leaves a lasting impression on every guest.

Square data shows that regular customers tip 11% higher and are shared across 32% of businesses in the same ZIP code, driving thousands of dollars in additional revenue per connection.

When Bowie Lau and Jeffrey Ching opened JBW Jeffrey Ching Salon in 2011, they weren’t just launching another luxury hair destination—they were building a business rooted in passion, artistry, and thoughtful growth.
Sponsored by Amex

Inside the Systems That Power an Elevated Salon Experience From seamless online booking to a team-first culture, J Gold Salon in Atlanta offers more than great hair—it delivers consistent, high-touch service with the help of partners like Boulevard and American Express.
Sponsored by Amex

Want to grow your career as a beauty professional? K18 Sales Manager Sabrina Sanborn shares advice on networking, mentorship, and self-advocacy—from attending hair shows to finding the right guidance to reach your goals.

A combination of clear policies, effective communication, and strong client relationships has helped me create a more reliable and efficient booking system.

Founded by Cleveland serial entrepreneur Shaura Rodgers, Nailtorious has grown to include a nail supply megastore, training facilities, and retail line for nail techs.

This period after the holidays can bring on a huge lull for hairstylists. We asked Cosmo Prof's team of professionals to offer their best advice on how to deal with the January-February slow period.

Key highlights include a push toward inclusive spaces for all abilities, an emphasis on maximizing livable square footage, and a continued love for modern farmhouse exteriors.

The busy holiday season is here, and with it comes jam-packed days, last-minute client requests and booming retail sales. For many salon owners, the highlight of the season is Small Business Saturday® (SBS). This year on Saturday, November 30, consumers can take their shopping into the small businesses in their communities.
Sponsored by Amex

Want to become savvy about your personal finances, but don't quite know where to start? Anna Manukyan identifies six important concepts for building a strong financial foundation.

Salon owner Nuri Yurt had a dream of owning a salon on New York City’s Madison Avenue. "Through perseverance, hard work and stellar customer service, he and partner John Kaygisiz founded Toka Salon in 2007.
Sponsored by Amex

This guide is your one-stop shop for a plethora of technology tools, software and services created to keep your salon or spa thriving.

Anna Manukyan shares a breakdown of what different types of financial accounts should be used for.

Vagaro has consistently been at the forefront of salon software technology, helping businesses be more efficient, create more effective communication, and even improve company culture. Now, Connect by Vagaro, the platform’s two-way communication capability, and Vagaro’s new generative AI tools are giving owners new opportunities to grow and expand.
Sponsored by Vagaro

Young Nails' Greg, Habib, and Tracey discuss whether getting too close to clients can damage your business.