LINCOLNSHIRE, IL (January 2011) – Denver’s Aveda Institute Denver owned by Dale LeMonds recently was named to the SALON TODAY 200 by SALON TODAY magazine, the top business publication for salon and spa owners.

 The magazine’s 14th annual SALON TODAY 200 issue profiled the selected salons in its January 2011 issue. The 200 salons were selected for their best business practices from applications submitted by SALON TODAY readers, who represent the 25,000 top-producing salons and spas in the country.

The magazine honored applicants in 12 different best practice categories, including Compensation and Benefits, Retention and Referral Programs, Customer Service, Recruitment and Training, Advanced Education, Marketing, Environmental Sustainability, Philanthropy, Retail and Merchandising, Technology, and Sales Growth.  Aveda Institute Denver was honored in the following: Environmental Sustainability

“Our editors recognize that strong business leadership requires the mastery of a number of different best business practices,” said Stacey Soble, editor-in-chief of SALON TODAY. “The salons named to the SALON TODAY 200 for 2011 not only proved they excel in one or more of these areas, they also have created rewarding environments for their staff members and standout experiences for their clients. Their willingness to share their success offers our readers important business benchmarks and fresh, sales-building ideas.” 

For a salon to be named to the SALON TODAY 200, it had to meet the following criteria: 1) The salon or spa opened on or before January 1, 2008. 2) The salon is a provider of professional salon services including one, or more, of the following: hair care, nail care, skin care, body care or spa treatments; 3) The salon or spa generated annual service and product sales revenues of at least $250,000 per year since 2008; 4) The owner provided statistical information about his or her business and completed at least one of the Best Practice category essay sections; and 5) The applicant submitted documentation to verify financials if he or she competed in the growth category.

In the commemorative January/February 2011 issue, SALON TODAY profiled 200 individual salons, although these salons could be honored in more than one category. The 2011 SALON TODAY 200 honored 100 salons in Growth; 26 in Compensation and Benefits; 25 in Retention and Referral Programs; 23 in Customer Service; 21 in Recruitment and Training; 25 in Advanced Education; 25 in Marketing; 27 in Environmental Sustainability; 20 in Philanthropy; 27 in Retail and Merchandising; and 25 in Technology.

Salon Today is a division of Modern Salon Media, which is owned by Vance Publishing Corporation in Lincolnshire, IL.

Contact: Stacey Soble

Editor-in-Chief, Salon Today

Joining the Aveda Institute Network are three new schools:

Aveda Institute Jacksonville – Jacksonville is the newest addition to the Florida AVEDA Institute network, a 12,000 square foot, state of the art space. The Institute is located next to the Whole Foods in Jacksonville.

Aveda Institute Corpus Christi – Corpus Christi is owned by Kathy Thalman who also owns the Aveda Institute San Antonio.

Aveda Institute Austin – The newest institute in the Beauty Basics family.  The Aveda Institute Austin was founded to create some of the most successful entrepreneurs in hair, skin and nail esthetics, makeup and total body wellness.

Congratulations!!

Modern Salon Media has named the first class of “Excellence in Education” honorees in its new program recognizing leadership and best practices among cosmetology schools.

Nearly 100 schools submitted 374 entries in eight categories, ranging from marketing to placement in school culture.  Finalists were determined in four classes based on school size or number of locations, with one overall honoree from all applicants named for each category. 

MODERN SALON’s “Excellence in Education” for Placement was our own Aveda Institute Portland, Portland, OR!

On September 11, 2010, three amazing educators from AI St. Petersburg journeyed to New York for a chance of a lifetime.  As winners of the Institute Artistic Team Competition Mike Mercado, Sherri Harper and Ronnie Appel were excited for the experience of working backstage at Fashion Week as part of the crew for designer SUNO and lead hair designer Odile Gilbert.  The experience they say was addicting.

Read what educator Mike Mercado had to say about the experience.

“I spent about 5 amazing years living in New York City, before moving to Florida.  Twice a year I was always very aware that when the tents arrived in Bryant Park, a lucky few hundred were about to live the dream.  The dream of creating the face and hair for the ultimate in runway.  I made a vow to myself, that one day…I too would be there.  When I moved away, I thought to myself “I’ll be back.”

Fast forward 5 more years.  An amazing opportunity was offered.  The chance to live the dream…and I knew that the universe had decided my time was near.  With the honor of receiving the 1st Annual Edwin Neill Educator Competition, I along with 2 friends and colleagues was about to embark on an adventure of a lifetime.

Doing what I love at New York Fashion Week was everything I had dreamed of…plus a couple paces faster.  The experience of working with the best was something I will treasure forever and as I was told I would be, I am addicted.  The professionalism, the artistry and the energy of everyone I encountered was absolutely amazing.  In the process, I learned a few new tricks, I rediscovered my passion and I was happy to find out what I was really made of. 

I thank everyone involved in the decision to allow me the opportunity to work at New York Fashion Week.  This boys dream has come true…and to New York I say “I’ll be back.”

-Mike Mercado

Congratulations to the Aveda Institute St. Pete for being 2010 Winner of the Institute Artistic Team Competition for Educators.  The team consisted of Mike Mercado – Colorist, Ronnie April – Stylist, and Sherri Harper – Makeup Artist.  Thank you for your inspiration and dedication.

Aveda Institute South Florida has been awarded “3 Green Globes” environmental award for design, impact and sustainability.  And is the first business in the state of Florida to receive this certification.  Congratulations South Florida, we are proud to have you representing our Aveda Institute network.

Aveda proudly congratulates Steve Elias, named Editorial Hairstylist of the Year, and Patrick Mathes, winner of the Student Hairstylist of the Year Award at the Professional Beauty Association’s North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA).  Steve is a master stylist at Elixir Salon Spa in Berkeley, CA and Patrick is a graduate of the Aveda Fredric’s Institute Indianapolis, IN.   NAHA salutes technical and excellence and artistic expression in hairdressing, as well as salon design aesthetic and beauty business acumen.  Aveda network artists earned a total of 12 NAHA finalist nominations across 13 award categories;  winners were announced at NAHA Awards Show on Sunday July 18 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Federic Holzberger, Aveda tribal elder and founder of Aveda Fredric’s Institutes, was also inducted into the NAHA Hall of Leaders; a recognition of outstanding contribution to the hair and beauty industry.  Fredric is founder, CEO, and president of Aveda Fredric’s Institute and founder of Project Daymaker, a “salon-on-wheels” that travels throughout the Cincinnati area to social service organizations.  Philanthropists at heart, Fredric and his family have established the Holzberger Family Humanitarian Foundation, which grants financial resources to non-profit organizations working to better our world.

Fredric was honored by Aveda at a reception preceding the NAHA Awards Show.  ” Aveda is a special brand built by exceptional people; if Fredric Holzberger were not here, many of us would not be here,” said Antoinette Benders, global creative director for Aveda.  “Fredric embodies the spirit and unity of business, philanthropy and the environment.”

NAHA finalists were also celebrated for their achievement at the Aveda reception.  “Aveda is so proud of all nominees,” stated Beenders.  “Having earned a NAHA nomination is in itself a phenomenal achievement-we admire their devotion to continued learning and artistic evolution.”

As we’re all painfully aware, the massive oil spill in the gulf is having devastating effects on ecosystems and communities.  The organizations Matter of Trust has orchestrated an extraordinary effort to collect hair and fur clippings that are recycled into booms and mats for oil cleanup.  Salons have been active participants in this program, helping to turn a natural material into a solution during this environmental disaster. 

Aveda recently spoke with Matter of Trust to learn more about their progress in the gulf.  Matter of Trust is continuing their hair collection and expects to have 25 miles of hair boom assembled by the end of this week and made available for the oil cleanup.  Municipal public works departments, harbors, and emergency management teams in Gulf States such as Florida and Alabama are actively using the hair booms to protect their coastline and beaches.  The natural buoyancy and absorbency of hair make it a viable solution for removing oil from eater.  The oil-soaked hair booms also break down more efficiently with minimal off-gassing since they’re made primarily of natural materials.  See Matter of Trusts video demonstrating the effectiveness of their booms.

There is an ongoing need for hair clippings to support Matter of Trust’s hair boom program.  Hair clippings donated by institutes and salons can contribute to the cleanup in the gulf and also help with the 2,600 other oils spills that happen each year around the world.  Anyone wishing to donate first needs to sign up online through the donor database program at www.excessaccess.org.  You cannot donate hair unless you have registered through this site.  The sign up is free and anyone can do it – schools, salons, groomer, individuals…After signing up, Matter of Trust will end an email with the instructions and mailing address for shipping hair clippings.  Learn more at www.matteroftrust.org/programs/hairmatsinfo2.html.

The Aveda Institute network has responded in a BIG way.  We have joined forces and are collecting all hair clippings for the Hair Mat Oil Spill Program.  These clippings are being sent out to 13 different locations and aid in the Gulf clean up.

Aveda is proud to be a sponsor of Tapped, a film focusing on the Water Crisis at home and around the world. http://www.tappedthefilm.com.  As the tour truck travels across the country, people can trade in their plastic water bottle for a reusable water bottle.  And all caps will be collected and given to the Aveda Cap Program.

Starting World Water Day and ending on Earth Day, April 22, line producer Sarah Olson and director Stephanie Soechtig are driving across the country urging Americans to Get Off The Bottle!  The Tapped Tour Truck, boldly displaying the Aveda logo, is visiting cities across the US.  Is it coming to your town?  See below and visit the truck or screening in your area. http://www.tappedthefilm.com/tapped-travel-map.php

The tour culminates on Earth Day at the Aveda Walk For Water in NYC.  10% of proceeds from the film purchased that  day will go to the NY Earth Month partner, Clean Water Action.