MENU
SEARCHWinning Salon of the Year, Nail Tech of the Year, and earning first place in the Top 25, Salina Rush made 2001 her best year yet.
Salina did the nails for the cover of NAILS June 2001.
Salina did the nails for the cover of NAILS June 2001.
Salina Rush seemed unstoppable at this year’s AVAs. Winning Salon of the Year, Nail Tech of the Year, and earning first place in the Top 25, Salina made 2001 her best year yet. Not a newcomer to the awards or the competition circuit, Salina was nevertheless surprised to win all three categories at once.
“I made it a goal to be a finalist for the Nail Tech of the Year and Salon of the Year awards, and to place in the Top 25 for five years in row. This is my fifth year being on the list and I wanted to place in the top five,” says Salina. “It’s unbelievable to win all three. I never imagined achieving all three titles in the same year.”
While at a show in November 2000 Salina decided to enter the Nail Tech and Salon of the Year awards – and she spent the next nine months preparing her entries. “I am very passionate about what I do,” she says. “I wanted to reach these goals to inspire my employees and generate revenue for my salon.”
Despite recently moving her salon into a new facility, Salina found the time to prepare her entries, practice her skills, teach continuing education classes at her salon, and compete successfully. “It took hard work and determination,” she says. “I practiced all the time – more so than any other year. I did a lot of backfills, perfected my smile lines, and went over class materials to keep myself mentally prepared.”
All of the extra time and effort Salina put into her competitions were not a hardship for her, however. “Competing is something I’ve always loved to do. I always want to place higher on the list and that keeps me motivated. This year I made it a goal to place in every category I was in at each show – and I did it,” she says.
Educating other techs also gives Salina satisfaction. “I started getting calls from techs who wanted to be mentored and that is how I got into educating. I’m an independent educator. I put the classes together myself and I hold them in my own salon,” says Salina. Teaching classes that range from troubleshooting common problems to competition, Salina likes being able to give her students good information. Competing, however, is what she feels really gives nail techs the upper hand. “Competition is the best educational tool the industry has to offer,” says Salina. “I view it as a stepping stone to higher achievement.”
Achieving all three of her major goals in one year has not made Salina complacent. In fact it created new ambitions for her. Next on her list of goals are remodeling her salon, expanding her services, winning the Educator of the Year award, maintaining a spot on the Top 25, and becoming a competition judge – something she got a taste of this last year and would like to pursue more aggressively next year. “I want to be on the other side of the curtain,” says Salina.
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.
