MENU
SEARCH
Big Winner
Who: Salina Rush, owner of Studio 10 Hair & Nail Design in Wooster, Ohio
What: NAILS photo shoot, photographed by Caesar Lima
Where: Caesar Photo Studio, Calabasas, Calif.
When: Friday, August 23, 2002
Why: To shoot the December cover of NAILS
Complete prize package: In the fall of 2001, Salina was named NAILS’ 2001-2002 Nail Technician of the Year. She was also the 2001-2002 Salon of the Year (1-4 Nail Techs) winner. And shortly thereafter, it was announced that Salina was NAILS’ #1 Top 25 competitor for 2001, As part of Salina’s prize for wining Nail Tech of the Year, we flew her to California to do a 2002 cover. (We slid in just under the wire with this December cover.) So was 2001 Salina’s year, or what? “I made it a goal to be a finalist for the Nail Tech of the Year and the Salon of the Year awards, and to just place in the Top 25 for five years in a row. As my fifth year in the Top 25, I pushed it a little farther and hoped to palace in the top five,” she said after winning. “It’s unbelievable to win all three. I never imagined achieving all three in the same year.”
What she’s been up to since winning: Salina has not been absent from the competition circuit. At press time, she was sitting at the number-two spot behind friend and fellow competitor John Hauk. “I wanted to stay on the Top 25 list, so I went to some competitions, but I really didn’t want to put all the time and money into it that I did last year,” she says. Since Salina lives in Ohio, she was shelling out a lot of cash to travel to compete and often the reward wasn’t enough to make up for the money spent traveling and the time off from work. “Every time I went somewhere to compete, I had to rearrange my whole schedule. It’s a lot of work. It takes a lot of time away from the salon and it really takes a lot out of you. I run the whole business, so when I am out everything starts to fall behind.”
And since she has had more time in the salon, she has really focused or remodeling certain areas and adding additional services. “I just added an infrared body wrap system and I am going to be renting out rooms to an esthetician so we can offer body treatments”
All this and she still finds time to teach. Her independent classes include Pretty in Pink-and-Whites, Troubleshooting, and Competition 101 (an eight-hour class that actually ends with a competition where Salina scores and critiques the nails). Her students can’t let down their guards just yet; Salina plans to continue competing and would like to stay on the Top 25 list. “I am so looking forward to the Nail Olympics next year.”
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.
This list of watch-outs from @jodydoesjels prompted us to reach out to her and learn more. We had already fallen for her hand-painted designs and now we wanted to know more about this list she created to help clients decide if she was the nail tech for them.
Education is necessary for beauty professionals to maintain their cosmetology licenses, and paying for that education can be burdensome, but it doesn't have to be. Understand which education tax credits can help you offset those costs.
