Skip to content
History of Salonspa Connection | Updated 2023
Where did Salonspa Connection come from? Learn the History of Salonspa Connection in this blog post.
Who is Susan Wos?
Hi there, my name is Susan Wos, owner and founder of Salonspa Connection. I am a former salon owner and veteran cosmetologist!
Solving problems for the salon industry has become my life’s purpose. This industry has provided so many opportunities for me, now it’s my time to give back.
Life as a salon owner
For years, my salon was filled with people all day long. There was ALWAYS someone to talk with and something that needed to be done.
I was proud, I had happy employees and happy clients. Studio 91 started as a commission salon. We later moved to become one of the first hybrid salons after hair stylists left us for booth rental salons.
I had successfully done what I had set out to do. However, by the time I sold the salon, I felt alone and totally burnt out. The first year was the hardest.
I hadn’t anticipated the isolation that came along with ownership of a salon until I realized everything sat on my shoulders.
Salon ownership was hard…
The bills were overwhelming, taxes were high, and ensuring my employees were satisfied was an endless task.
In the beginning, there were some weeks I did not get paid for my hard work. My focus was to ensure the success of my business, competitive prices for customers, and good wages for my employees.
There was always a lot of decisions to be made on how I could spend money to “improve” my life as a salon owner. I tried everything. We bought TONS of different products, programs, tools, and just about everything under the sun to go with them.
My cries for true resources and help were left unanswered.
Solving salon problems
Enter the History of Salonspa Connection. Once I sold my salon, I started on a path to resolve salon industry issues we face as owners.
My staff couldn’t relate to my problems as an owner. I didn’t know any other owners in our industry. The isolation was almost unbearable but it didn’t have to be this way.
Our nail technicians and hair stylists were connected to outside salon pros. I knew a handful of owners from networking events, but none of them were open to a friendship.
Your salon staff is not your friend
My friends and family didn’t understand my world. I made the mistake of being a friend to my stylists and front desk staff.
Being friend with my employees meant they thought they could get away with murder. Enforcing salon policies became increasingly difficult, especially for my seasoned stylists.
Why salon product companies don’t help owners
All my salon owner resources for “help” were limited to product representatives or weren’t easily accessible. I felt lonely, scared, frustrated, and tired.
My Salon Centric sales rep was lovely, but her resources were loaded with programs I just didn’t need or could afford.
I needed someone who understood my problems and could offer the kind of help I desperately wanted. Knowing what it’s like to be an owner, manager, stylist, and assistant but where was the salon hiring help?
Help for salon hiring
I took all of the resources I had wished for throughout my entire 28 year career in this industry, and made them accessible to you. We started out offering free advice for salon professionals in Kansas City.
We were paid only if a salon owner hired a pro we personally sent. I became the first salon industry headhunter!
What is Salonspa Connection?
You have probably heard about us, so what is Salonspa Connection? Salonspa Connection has evolved since 2018 to become a national and international, non brand affiliated resource. Our goal is to give connectivity and resources without the complication of corporate influence.
The personalized salon hiring help has transitioned into more of a system with our sister company, Enlightened Hire. Enlightened Hire allows salon professionals to request our private help, and gives owners the opportunity to widen their recruitment funnel.
We are more than salon employment and booth rental listings
Early 2020, Salonspa Connection started connecting buyers and sellers of salon industry businesses. Our salons for sale program has exploded and become a core offering of our business model.
Our high visibility and marketing for salon sellers is the top rated salon business broker program. With pay-to-list options and seller consulting, we cover all the bases for any owner selling a salon, spa or barber industry business.
Who is Salonspa Connection for?
Salonspa Connection is for anyone who has gone through or is currently going through what I have experienced as a salon pro or owner.
Salonspa Connection offers connection and collaboration over competition. We provide real non-product related resources for any owner or licensed professional to utilize. Our website houses the most comprehensive commission and booth rental opportunities in the nation!
In addition more salon employment options than you can dream of, we house a ton of free resources.
Where Salonspa Connection is headed
My hope is our services can help our local community BE more of a community, so that we can help each other thrive.
We strive to help you reach your full potential! Whether you’re a student searching for guidance, a professional looking to connect with industry opportunities or an owner who needs a friend to share in their joy of living their dream for success.
We are accessible, we provide essential salon industry help for anyone searching for true resources.
We are the first and only company to offer this type of comprehensive service menu. We are here to help industry owners and licensed professionals improve their daily lives and their careers.
Explore Salonspa Connection and find the help you need to grow in your career!
