Sean Azari

Founder/CEO, Breakthrough Social

 @azarimedia 
 @sean_azari 
 @sean_azari

I am the founder of a Creative & Social Media Marketing Agency, Breakthrough Social, that has helped over 50+ businesses build their brand mainly through content development & distribution, influencer marketing, paid media campaigns, and other developing techniques.

Some of the clients I have worked / work with are: SoJo Spa Club (A Korean Bathhouse that has accumulated over 40k followers within a year through our effective content creation, distribution & campaigns), Safavieh (A large manufacturer in furniture & rugs), Sweetberry Bowls (Fast Casual Dining Restaurant), Rugs USA (Manufacturer of Rugs & eCommerce Website), Bioprogramming by Lumielina (Beauty/Hair Devices), Peter Coppola Beauty , and many others.

In my first year of starting Breakthrough Social, I worked on every aspect of the business. I was the designer, the creative director, the copyrighter, account manager, video editor, & sales representative. I was working with over 10+ different brands & handling over 15 in-house Instagram accounts that I have grown over hundreds of thousands of followers originally through just curated content.

In today’s world, you need to be very hands-on in the marketing world to really understand how to leverage it appropriately.

Alison Alhamed

Editor-in-Chief, Modern Salon

Salon Digital Summit - Event Emcee

Chief Behr

Founder - International Educator - Hairstylist, WolffBehr Hair

 @chiefbehrhair
youtu.be/CfZKV0ffbxE

International Educator & Hairstylist: Founder of WolffBehr hairdressing. Ambassador to Bioprogramming.

Zoé Bélisle-Springer

Digital Content Editor, Podcast Co-Host, Phorest Salon Software

 @phorestsalonsoftware
 @z_elspring, @phorestsalonsoftware
 @z_elspring, @thephorestword
 

Zoé Bélisle-Springer is an award-winning content producer known for building relationships, educating prospects and cultivating brand authority. As Phorest Salon Software's Digital Content Editor, she oversees and contributes to the growth (150% increase in unique users y-o-y) & tailoring of the Phorest Blog to various markets, co-hosts the Phorest FM podcast (15K downloads, 212K RSS feed hits in 1.5 years), and integrates new channels to the company's existing inbound marketing strategy.

Ivan Betancourt

Hairstylist|Makeup Artist|Educator, Ivan Betancourt

 @ivan_jose

Ivan Betancourt is a Hairstylist and Makeup Artist based in Los Angeles California. Beginning his career in beauty as a makeup artist with MAC cosmetics to now educating fellow makeup artists and hairstylists alike. His talent and stage presence has taken him across the country as a platform artist for Aquage Haircare and Senior Artist for Musebeauty.Pro. He now caters to his salon clients in Studio City, California while making time for his editorial work and stage presentations.

Bonnie Bonadeo

Radio Podcast Host, BEaUty Inside and Out

 @bonniebonadeo, @beautyinsideandoutshow
 @beautyinsideandoutshow, @bonniebonadeo
 @beautyinout, @bonniebonadeo1
#BeUinBEauty #beautyinsideandoutshow #connectingyoutobeauty #connectingyoutoyou

Bonnie Bonadeo-Speaker-Coach-Author-Radio Host, Branded as The Connection Coach, BEaUty Inside and Out radio Show and, President of The Beauty Agent Network. Bonnie was one of the 2013 Enterprising Women and graced a 2016 Cover of Salon Today, she is a Certified Emotional Intelligent Speaker, Coach and 2x bestselling Author of ‘Success in Beauty and Empowering You, Transforming Lives’. A Beauty Industry Veteran, Bonnie speaks authentically on her struggles and successes as a person to foster growth and awareness in others and Embodies her brand of Connecting You to You.

Natalie Boos

Owner & CFO and Director of Marketing & Operations, The Business of Balayage

 @natalie.boos
 

Natalie Boos is The Business of Balayage's Director of Marketing & Operations as well as being an owner and an acting CFO. Natalie’s career began in marketing, as a web and graphic designer working in Los Angeles. After completing her Technological Entrepreneurship & Management degree with honors at Arizona State University’s Fulton School of Engineering, Natalie went on to start her first Start-Up & Marketing agency based in South Orange County.

This is where Natalie, her partner Kaili & the founders of The Business of Balayage crossed paths, they hired Natalie & team to help create their business and brand from the ground up. A short year later, they joined forces full time in order to keep up with the demand they were getting from within our industry.

Natalie, having a specialty in small business mentorship and having helped develop and guide over 50 brands, has co-developed our Business Workshops as well as The Business of Balayage's Instagram & Social Media classes to help stylists and salon owners alike build their business behind the chair.

Christopher Brennan

Content Marketing Manager, Phorest Salon Software

 /phorestsalonsoftware 
 @phorestsalonsoftware, @itschrisbrennan 
 @thephorestword, @itschrisbrennan
#LetsGrow

Christopher Brennan is a content marketing specialist, published author and award-winning filmmaker. Fusing all three passions together, Christopher is the full-time content manager of Phorest Salon Software, Europe's Leading software for hair and beauty businesses according to Forbes.

Sarah Bryant

Creator, Sarah LouWho

 @sarahlouwhobryant
 @sarah_louwho
 @sarahb_louwho#louwholook

With a love for technology for as long as she can remember, Sarah began her career in the digital world as a software engineer and GUI designer for Venture Capitalists. In true technological fashion, she has adapted multiple times to this ever-changing industry, starting her own telecommunications and data networking company in 2012 and beginning to build her social-media focused brand, Sarah LouWho from 2016 on. Her desire to simplify techniques for end users is still ever-present and has helped her to become the content creator she is today; amassing an audience of over 400k in just two years. She manages her brand accounts on all of the traditional social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and YouTube and has recently topped them off with a Podcast and daily briefing for Amazon’s Alexa.

Riawna Capri

Owner, Nine Zero One

 NineZeroOneSalon   
 @riawna, @NineZeroOne, @InCommonBeauty
​#901girl, #ninezeroone, #mereecapri

Always wanting to be in the ‘beauty business,’ Riawna started cutting hair in her family’s garage when at 16. After graduating at the top of her class at Marinello’s School, she wanted to work at “the best salon in LA,” which at that time, in her eyes, was Fred Segal Beauty. It was there she met her best friend and business partner, Nikki Lee.

Riawna does both cut and color because, “I like to create the whole picture. That would be like telling one artist to draw the picture and another artist to paint it. I wanna create it all.” She considers herself a ‘beauty coach’ always paying attention to skin tone, fashion sense, eyebrow color etc. “it’s not just about the hair, it’s about whether or not the hair compliments everything else that is going on.” 

“If YOU don’t look good, then I don’t look good, and if YOU don’t know how to style what I just created, then I have to teach you, I want you to look your best and feel your best at ALL times.”

Dustin Cash

PBA and NAHA Committee Member, PBA | NHA

 @professionalbeautyassociation
 @probeautyassoc
 @ProBeautyAssoc

#NAHA #ISSELB #PBAbeacon #IAmlicensed #Unitedbybeauty #PBAcutitout

Dustin Cash is an innovative product developer, marketer, and founder of SOS Beauty, a Los Angeles based brand incubation agency working with some of the newest and most exciting brands in haircare, color cosmetics, and skincare. Cash is very active with industry organizations, such as the Professional Beauty Association, and is a judge and committee member for the North American Hair Stylists Awards (NAHA).

Jamie Dana

Owner, Jamie Dana Inc

 /jamiedanahairstylist 
 @jamiedanahairstylist 
#jamiedanahairstylist #jamiedanaeducation #raiseuptoriseup

Jamie Dana is a hairstylist, salon owner, and she thrives by educating other hairstylists how to use Instagram to grow their businesses. Jamie is super passionate about cultivating a community of like-minded stylists who all want to support each other and grow their businesses together. If you could sum up Jamie’s mission, it would be to inspire stylists to work hard, build their dreams, and live a life they absolutely love.

Christopher Dela Cruz

Director/Producer, DelaZquad

 @helladela    
#HairBorn

Chris dela Cruz is a seasoned online video director having produced over 1500 videos totaling over 2 billion views. He co-created one of the first YouTube channels to hit a half a billion video views and break over a $1 million in ad revenue. It was the most successful channel on the first YouTube Multi Channel Network (MCN), before being acquired by YouTube for a reported $60 million.

Chris has also worked with various brands producing videos for Pepsi, Wendy’s, Pistachio, Neuro, LivingSocial, and TV/Film networks such as Fox News, RT and Universal Pictures/ Universal Home Entertainment. He’s also produced videos for musicians such as Weezer, Iggy Azelea, and over the last 6 years has been Philip Lawrence’s creative collaborating partner (8x Grammy Award Winning songwriter/producer). Today, Chris is directing and producing multiple unscripted/scripted shows that are currently in development, one is an upcoming docu-series called HairBorn.

Jason Everett

Owner, High Performance Salon Academy

 @highperformancesalon
 @highperformancesalon 
#salonevolutionrevolution #highperformancesalon #highperformancesalonacademy

Jason’s infectious high energy and drive to make everyone he meets the best possible version of themselves, has landed him on center stage in the Salon Edu-tainment scene. Jason is one of the founders of the High Performance Salon Academy which specializes in taking salons that are already successful and cranking up their success to an 11! Their non-traditional and unconventional approach to learning uses the latest in technology and social media strategies to quickly train and equip the most attention-strained owners, leaders and service providers on how to rapidly implement what they learn. Even more important than the wealth of information they provide is the massive results they help their clients achieve, often raising the Average Ticket, Pre-book Rate, Guest Count and Take Home Income from 20-40% for everyone they work with. For more information on the High Performance Salon Academy please visit: www.highperformancesalon.com 

Alle Fister

Stylist, Bollare

 @allefister

 @BOLLARE

Top Stylist

Gayle Fulbright

Owner, Headlines The Salon

 @headlinesthesalon
 @headlinesthesalon, @gaylefulbright
#hts #headlinesthesalon

Gayle started her beauty career as a stylist in 1975 and eventually moved to California and opened Headlines The salon which just celebrated 31 years in business. Gayle gave up doing hair to focus on growing the business and becoming an educator. Marketing and Networking Headlines has been a personal passion. Headlines The Salon has been honored as Salon Today's Top 200 for 11 years.

Kelly Gorsuch

Owner, Barber of Hell's Bottom

 @barberofhellsbottom, @kellygorsuch

#elevatedbarbering

Kelly grew up in a hairdressing family. He has spent over two decades in all aspects of the industry, including coloring, cutting, barbering, runway, editorial, platform, teaching, managing, owning, and speaking. Recently, he moved away from the chair to concentrate on ownership and mentoring cutting apprentices, managers, and salon owners. Kelly currently owns two luxury salons (Immortal Beloved) and four men’s grooming salons (Barber of Hell’s Bottom) in Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. Kelly takes pride in the innovation of all business practices and is dedicated to the Kaizen philosophy of small, continuous improvements. He has been known to give a talk or two, but mostly prefers to concentrate on his businesses. Kelly puts guest hospitality above everything else, which is reflected in his concept of elevated barbering: the barber and the guest work together to achieve the best possible look for the guest, not the barber.

Corey Gray

Co-host, Your day off podcast @hairdustry

 @hairdustry
 @hairdustry​
 @hairdustry​#yourdayoffpodcast 
#YDO #yourdayoffpodcast

Corey Gray is the co-host for your day off podcast with hairdustry. In this role, He coordinates guests and interviews, including social media presence and business creativity.

Corey is a graduate of Graham Webb International and has spent over 25 years as a hairdresser, colorist and suite owner in the greater Washington D.C area.

He helps share stories and business tips for the hair industry through your day off podcast with audio and or video interviews.Your day off podcast covers a wide range of topics for discussion and business advice from leaders of the industry.

Corey is passionate about positivity and how that affects our industry.

Ashley Gregory

Owner, The Nailscape

 @thenailscape, @ashleygnails
 @thenailscape, @ashleygnails#thenailscape

Ashley Gregory is an in-demand session manicurist and award winning nail professional. Creator and director of The Nailscape blog and subscription box, Ashley strives to bridge the gap between beauty school and a successful beauty career through education and empowering others.

Monica Hickey

Director, Ideas That Evoke

 @IdeasThatEvoke
 @IdeasThatEvoke
 @IdeasThatEvoke
 

Monica Hickey is the Managing Director for for Ideas That Evoke HQ where she is responsible for overseeing the company’s relationships with clients as well as overarching strategy execution. Monica is acutely in tune with all aspects of the agency and now works with both large consumer packaged goods firms, large-scale organizations and events as well as grassroots companies, to provide trend-setting programs and business solutions.

In 2017, Monica was named to the prestigious “40 Under 40” list, published by InBusiness Magazine.

Winnie Huang

CND Brand Ambassador, CND

 @winniehuangnailartist
 @winnieisawesome
 @winnieisawesome #winniewednesdays

Winnie's passion for nails started with blogging, which encouraged her to transition her hobby into a profession. She was the winner of NAILS MAGAZINE Next Top Nail Artist in Season 3, and since then she has been working closely with CND. Her work has walked down the runway of New York, London, and Milan. As well as features on British Vogue, Canadian Broadcasting Company, and CND's seasonal collections. She is currently a Brand Ambassador with CND and is publishing weekly videos sharing and exploring all things CND with her fellow nail friends!

Alisha Johns

Founder, LISH creative

 @alishylishy

Alisha is the Founder and Creative Director of LISH creative - a visual content agency for vibrant beauty and lifestyle brands. Her clients include Benefit Cosmetics, Yes To, Kopari and Soap & Glory, among others, and her work has been featured by Ad Age and the Huffington Post.

Kelly Kovack

CEO and Founder, BeautyMatter

 @beautymatterofficial
 @beautymatterofficial
 @Beauty_Matter
#beautymatter

Kelly began her career in beauty as a member of the original executive team of Bliss and the Managing Director of the catalog division redefining the way women bought beauty leading to the successful acquisition of Bliss by LVMH.

As an advisor and strategist, Kelly has advised an eclectic array of clients ranging from investors to multi-billion dollar brands like Old Navy, Banana Republic, Mattel, Estee Lauder and Olay and notable independents like Zirh, Erno Lazlo, Naturopathica, Bioprogramming by Lumielina and many more.

Always entrepreneurial, Kelly has also created and built her own brands. Most recent the award-winning fragrance brand, Odin, co-founded in collaboration with the New York fashion brand. Kelly also founded the B2Bcontent platform BeautyMatter which has become an essential daily resource for industry insiders who demand the most current beauty intelligence.

Nikki Lee

Owner, Nine Zero One

 NineZeroOneSalon  
 @nikkilee901, @NineZeroOne, @InCommonBeauty
#901girl, #ninezeroone, #nikkilee901

Successful hairstylist and now salon owner, Nikki Lee, has made a name for herself in the hair industry through hard work, a positive attitude, and a willingness to face all obstacles. Nikki began her journey at Fred Segal Beauty, afterwards, she devoted several years at the Ken Paves Salon where she became an integral part of the team. Nikki gained an international perspective while traveling the world for showcases, and celebrity clients. With all the motivation behind her, it was only natural to open Nine Zero One Salon alongside business partner Riawna Capri.

Nikki has been among the panel of judges for the Wella Trend Vision competition as well as the Great Lengths Challenge. She takes pride in being the root of inspiration for not only herself, but the entire Nine Zero One team. “I feel so blessed to be doing what I love! There’s nothing better than making a woman look and feel her best,” Nikki says. Whether doing extensions or creating a creamy blonde or rich color–keeping the hair shiny and healthy is what’s most important to her.

Jordan Liberty

Makeup Artist, Photographer, Educator

 @jordanliberty
 

Jordan Liberty is an LA-based makeup artist, photographer, educator and creative director. In addition to producing iconic beauty campaigns, his work in consulting, marketing and product development have made him the secret weapon behind the success of top makeup and skincare brans. Most known publicly for his professional approach to education (via his former YouTube channel), he continues teaching pro-level workshops and developing educational platforms when not in the studio.

Gregory Littley

Associate Director of Digital, Content & Social Portfolio Brands, Revlon

 @littleylittley
 @littleylittley

Gregory Littley prides himself on capturing the most colorful selfies and over-animating his daily snaps. While the New York-based social and digital marketer might state that he’s “never content with his con-tent,” it’s hard for his followers to believe, since he creates perfectly shareable posts across all major social platforms—as he should, being the Lead Creative Strategist for the agency ICED Media. He’s an influencer who influences other influencers—notably collaborating with many of them on this year’s epic Snapchat remake of Jurassic Park. Following @littleylittley is just like having your own Snapchat guru in your pocket at all times.

Allison McNamara

Editorial Director, Mane Addicts

 @itsallisonmcnamara
 @allisonmcnamara
 @allisonmcnamara
 

Allison McNamara is a TV host, digital influencer and founder of the new clean algae skincare line, MARA. Allison started her career at POPSUGAR where she wrote, hosted and produced the digital media giant's fashion and entertainment content for six years. From co-hosting the Oscars for ABC and appearing on the Today show, to co-anchoring POPSUGAR Now, a daily entertainment cable news show and hosting her own show Midnight Style on the fyi Network–Allison then took her experience to Refinery29 and ET Online where she created, hosted and produced beauty videos. She drummed up the idea for MARA on a trip to Istanbul, Turkey right around the time she parted ways with POPSUGAR, and began developing the brand which launched this past February. With one hero product — MARA Algae + Moringa Universal Face Oil — MARA has quickly developed a cult beauty following in just several short months and recently launched nationwide in-stores and online with Credo Beauty.

Vlada Mua

Photographer & Makeup Artist, Vlada Mua

 @vladamua

Vlada was born and raised in Kiev, Ukraine. She started her professional makeup career in 2011 when she took a professional makeup artist course at one of the best pencil technique makeup schools in Eastern Europe "Natalia Nayda Makeup School", graduating with the highest score in the class.  

Vlada's makeup and hair styling works were featured in Harper's Bazaar Ukraine, Like a Lion (Australia), Story (Ukraine), HOLE (Germany), WHERE (USA), Elegant Magazine, Elegant Ink, Fuse, Brink, Dark Beauty Magazine, Kaiouti Mag, Jute Magazine, Reve Magazine (Italy), Harper's Bazaar (Kazakhstan), Vogue (Mexico), Cosmopolitan (USA online), Refinery29 (USA online). Vlada had her first Gallery show in November 2017 at AFA Gallery in New York.  

Vlada works mainly from her home studio in Los Angeles (macro photography and makeup). Currently, Vlada is also working closely with Smashbox Cosmetics as their Lip Editor in Chief.

Tatum Neill

Stylist, Elevate Hair

 @elevatehair, @tatumneill
@tatumneill, @elevatehair
#elevatehair #mulletmonday #bobgoals

After receiving an Environmental Policy Degree from UNC Chapel Hill, Tatum could no longer resist his calling to hair and went to the Aveda Institute NYC to chart his own path. Upon graduation, he worked with top talents such as Antoinette Beenders, Frédéric Fekkai and Nick Arrojo, elevating his craft. During his 8-year tenure with Arrojo Studio, Tatum worked as lead Educator and Platform Artist all while advancing his DJ career. All of these experiences helped fuel the creation of @ElevateHair — a rapidly growing Instagram platform and a new style of hair show. Elevate is a social media-driven event that tours the country with no sponsors, no product commercials — just talented hairdressers sharing their skills in front of dance party.

Jerry Nettuno

Founder & CEO, Schedulicity

 @schedulicity
 @schedulicity​
 @schedulicity​
#schedulicity, #hairsalon, #hairstylists, #naildesign, #businesstips

Schedulicity is the leading online appointment, class and workshop scheduling system and platform for discovering and booking local services in more than 50 different industries. Consumers in more than 7,700 cities across the U.S. and Canada have booked over 117 million appointments, classes and workshops through Schedulicity. Since launching in 2010, Schedulicity has earned prestigious awards for excellence in technology and customer service.

Jamie Newman

Senior Editor, Modern Salon

Salon Digital Summit - Event Emcee

Amy Nicole

Founder, Chic Studios

 @CHICSTUDIOS
 @CHICSTUDIOS
 @CHICSTUDIOS #ChicStudios #AChicLife #ChicEvent #ChicStudiosNYC #ChicStudiosLA #ChicStudiosDenver #AmyChicStudios

Chic Studios is a leading national makeup artistry school, teaching modern beauty, digital and fashion makeup courses, through live hands-on lessons. Chic Studios – School of Makeup is certified by the NY State Education Department.  Chic Studios enables career services assisting students and alumni with opportunities and education to plan, promote and prepare their careers in the beauty industry. Upon completion of any of our courses, each alumni becomes part of our ‘Chic Pro Community’,which o¬ffers a platform for events, job opportunities, advanced education, internships, gigs or career hiring fairs.

Sigourney Nuñez

OPI North America Education Manager, Coty, OPI Education

 @nailartbysig

#opiobsessed  #coloristheanswer  #wellaeducation

Sigourney Nuñez is OPI’s North America education manager and a licensed nail technician in Los Angeles. An award-winning multimedia journalist, Nuñez was formerly NAILPRO Magazine’s digital content manager and NAILS Magazine’s digital editor. When Nuñez is not posting about the latest techniques and trends on her Instagram @nailartbysig, she helping clients with nail care.  

Jeff Pierce

Director of Digital & e-Commerce, Coty Professional Beauty

 @cotyinc
 @COTYInc

#Coty #CotyInc #CotyLife #Beauty #CotyPride #CotyHistory #TBT #ThrowBackThursday #VintageAd

David Raccuglia

Founder & SVP, American Crew / Revlon

 @americancrew
 @americancrew
#americancrew

David Raccuglia is a man of many accomplishments.He began his career in the salon business as a hairstylist. During the early ‘80s, he traveled worldwide as a platform artist. In the late ‘80s he opened his own salon, Art + Science.During his 20-plus years of experience in the hair care and salon industry, David has become one of the most respected and emulated figures in the profession. David is the founder of American Crew, one of the most successful and leading professional hair care companies in the world. American Crew was introduced in 1994 and quickly became the leading manufacturer of quality salon products for men.The brand is world renowned for its men’s haircutting education and also offers an unrivaled combination of marketing support to help stylists communicate the American Crew vision of men's grooming and fashion to the marketplace. 

David is also an accomplished photographer. His subjects include a wide range of individuals, including Jack Nicholson, Heather Graham, Benicio Del Toro, Macy Gray, Beastie Boys, Iggy Pop, the Dalai Lama, Rob Lowe, among others. His work has inspired several books, including the award winning photographic journal “Portrait of a Culture in Exile,” and “Darker Blues,” featuring the musicians of Fat Possum Records.

Lee Resnick

Founder/CEO, Barbershopconnect.com

 barbershopconnect
 @Barbershopconnect, @Barberconnyc
 @barbershopconne
#salonrepublic #thehairgame #thehairgamepodcast

Mr. Resnick has executed marketing campaigns for Gillette, BabylissPRO, Booksy, Oster Professional Products, Personna, P&G, Pacinos, Layrite, Gibs Grooming, and all of the major record companies. He is the Executive Producer of “Cedric’s Barber Battle” which is a reality barbering competition television show Hosted and Executive Produced by Cedric the Entertainer on The CW Network. 
Mr. Resnick created Barbershopconnect.com which is the world’s #1 ranked social networking site for the barbing community. The Barbershopconnect Instagram has over 1.1 Million Followers and its sister page Stylistshopconnect has over 200,000 followers to introduce haircuts and new barbering and beauty products worldwide. 
His latest endeavor, Barbercon is a sold out Men’s Grooming event in New York City with over 3,000 attendees. Barbercon displays vendors, brand education and barbers and cosmetologists from around the world show casing various haircutting technics. Past event sponsors have been such as Andis Company, Paul Mitchell Systems, Hattori Hanzo, and many more brands.

Pirooz Sarshar

Vice President Of Business Development, Education and Influencers, Beauty Matter

 @PiroozSarshar
 @p_roozy

Pirooz is a creative visionary, a strategic brand builder, a business development implementer, a concept creator, and a product developer. He has driven innovation through numerous organizations spearheading branding initiatives and driving innovation through creative strategies and implementation of services while delivering results through business development initiatives.

Robert Schaeffler

General Manager #mydentity & Sexy Hair, Henkel

@guytang_mydentity, @sexyhair 
#myDentity, #sexyhair. #hairbesties

The GM of #myDentity and Sexy Hair has 13 years experience in the Beauty Industry, 5 leading Professional Hair Businesses in the US with Kenra Professional, Sexy Hair and his personal invention of #myDentity @guy_tang. Before that he served as General Manager for Henkel in Asia and right hand to the Beauty Care CEO in Germany. He got his start in Product Development in Hair Color.

Olivia Smalley

Beauty Content Creator, OMG Artistry

 @omgartistry
 @omgartistry
 @omgartistry#omgartistry #socialsavvystylist #oliviasmalley #missomg #socialqueen

Published Celebrity Hair and Makeup Artist for Paris Hilton, Nick Jonas, Britney Spears NYFW Show, Cosmoprof Artistic Team Member, Host of the Licensed To Create Awards, Key Note Speaker for Modern Salon, Top 100 Influencers on Modern Salon, Allure Magazine, DVF and more.

Christopher Smith

Healing Artist, L'ANZA

 @christopheraaronstudio

Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Christopher Smith always knew the beauty industry would be his home. Throughout Christopher's remarkable 15-year career, his designs have been seen on red carpets at the Oscars and Sundance Film Festival. He has styled for PBS television, music festivals, and dozens of photo shoots and magazine editorials. Since opening Chicago-based Christopher Aaron Styling 6 years ago, he has developed an extremely loyal clientele who look forward to his customized color designs, impeccable finishing technique, and incredible attention to detail. A hairstylist to the core, Christopher is always happiest when his hands are in hair. As a Healing Artist for L'ANZA, he shares his knowledge and expertise with audiences throughout the US, also supporting our Global Creative Directors at high-profile shows and events.

Tony Stuart

Co-Host Your Day Off Podcast, Hairdustry

 @hairdustry
 @hairdustry
#YDO #yourdayoffpodcast

Tony Stuart is the Co-Host for Your Day Off Podcast with Hairdustry. In this role, he coordinates and leads topics for discussion as well as business creativity and development.
Tony is a graduate of Graham Webb International and has spent over 25 years as a hairdresser and suite owner in the greater Washington D.C. area.
He helps share stories and business tips for the hair industry through Your Day Off Podcast with audio and or video interviews. Your Day Off Podcast covers a wide range of topics for discussion and business advice from leaders of the hair industry.
Tony is passionate about bringing open forums and authenticity to the hair industry.

Eric Taylor

CEO/Founder, Salon Republic

 /SalonRepublic, /EricTaylor   
 @salonrepublic, @4erictaylor  
 @salonrepublic
#salonrepublic #thehairgame #thehairgamepodcast

Eric Taylor is the founder and CEO of Salon Republic, a leader in the salon studio concept offering modern private studio space to over 1,000 independent beauty professionals in 15 locations across three states.

Eric is also the host of the new podcast The Hair Game, where he interviews some of the most interesting people in the industry, shares valuable and insightful business tips for salon pros and gives a behind the scene look into the inner workings at SR.

David Thurston

Founder & CEO, Pulp Riot

 @davidbutterflyloft
 

David Thurston is a beauty industry entrepreneur, educator, and disrupter. He is best known for being the Founder and CEO of the globally recognized beauty brands, Pulp Riot, Butterfly Loft, and Butterfly Circus.

Mark Townsend

Hair Stylist, Starworks Artists

 @marktownsend1

Whether sleek, sophisticated or edgy, fashion and celebrity hairdresser Mark Townsend knows how to bring out the beauty in everyone. Mark has created beautiful hairstyles for some of Hollywood’s leading ladies including Rachel McAdams, Dakota Johnson, Gal Gadot, Elizabeth Olsen, Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen, Cate Blanchett and Jennifer Lawrence.
Mark grew up in Florida, the child of a military family. After completing high school, Mark entered cosmetology school and quickly found his calling. He supported himself throughout beauty school by assisting at a local hair salon. Mark eventually decided to move on to bigger and better endeavors, and his keen interest in fashion led him to New York City where he began assisting renowned hairdressers such as Oribe and Sally Hershberger.
Mark’s career spans every aspect of the business, from editorial shoots and advertising campaigns to red carpet appearances and beauty expert commentary. Since 2009, he has acted as the International Dove Celebrity Hairstylist, a position that has taken him all over the world speaking on behalf of the brand. Mark has collected a loyal following of clients—including renowned photographers Peter Lindbergh, Annie Leibovitz and Terry Richardson—and has worked with top magazines such as Vogue, Vanity Fair, W, Harper's Bazaar, and Glamour.

Kathleen Turpel

Owner, Imaginal Marketing Group

 @ImaginalMarketing
 @immarketing
 @immarketing

Kathleen Turpel is the owner of the award-winning Imaginal Marketing Group, an agency that specializes in the Fashion and Beauty industry. Among her clients are some of the top salons and spas in the country. Prior to Imaginal, she worked as a marketing executive for a Pulitzer Prize-winning, Fortune 500 media company and for Neill, one of Aveda's distributors.

Kathleen has spoken at industry conferences including Serious Business, iSPA and PBA. Her presentation style is fun and approachable, and she has the ability to make complex subjects easy to understand. You will walk away with a practical to-do list that compliments the culture of your salon and will help grow your business.

Specializing in:
- Social Media Strategy
- Brand Identity
- Graphic Design
- Web Design/Development
- Organic and Paid Search
- Media Planning

Sam Villa

Owner, Sam Villa

 @SamVillaPros
 @SamVillaHair
 @SamVillaPro

Sam Villa is changing the industry, one hairdresser at a time. Whether teaching face-to-face in small hands on classes, on main stage, or reaching his millions of social media followers, Sam changes people.  He is a true leader that brings out the best in others. 

Salon Digital Summit attendees will see the world premiere presentation of our exclusive video – From Icon to Influencer – where Sam shares the lessons he’s learned in his journey to becoming a major social media presence.

As the 2017 NAHA Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Sam is known for doing things differently to challenge, inspire and motivate change. His encouragement to stylists is unrivaled, as he genuinely wants each one of them to reach deep to identify how they can make a change to promote their own growth. Sam’s talents stretch far beyond his brilliant cutting and finishing skills; he has a plethora of business skills that enliven stylists to think about how they speak to their guests to add value when working in the salon.

Kim Vo

Celebrity Stylist & Host, The Look All Stars

 @mrkimvo

Lisa Walker

Founder & Partner, Starworks Artists

 @lwalker40

 @starworksartists 

Starworks Artists Co-Founder

Scott Wine

Owner, REBEL BRAND MANAGEMENT

 @rebel_brand_management  
 

Rebel Brand Management is a management company dedicated to cultivating influential talent with diverse backgrounds and skills into successful inspirational brands.

We are a team of business talent managers and brand strategist who conceptualize platforms based on our client’s goals and aspirations, helping them in creating the most effective and strategic opportunities.

With over three decades of intelligence and hands on experience in the sectors of beauty, fashion, entertainment, lifestyle and health, Rebel Brand Management is rooted deep in the present-day understanding of today’s digital platforms and influencer markets.

The Rebel team has perfected our process around the overall strategy of content creation, product and brand development and all things execution, including talent negotiation, contracting, campaign administration and individual talent management.

Philip Wolff

Educator, BioProgramming

 
 @philipwolffhair
 @philipwolffhair
 @philipwolffhair #biopros

International educator for hair cutting/styling/color based in Los Angeles CA.

Heather Yurko

Owner & Creator, NeatBeat Salon and PIP University (Positively Impacting People)

 @PIP University
 @pipuniversity

 @Neatbeat
 @neatbeat_salon

"I'm just a girl from Kentucky that believes face planting and feet washing are the key to a life worth living."

Heather is the creator of Neatbeat Salon and PIP University. Neatbeat opened it’s doors in October of 2013 in a 200 sq ft closet. Yes, you read it right. At a Sola salon, where she could touch the color bar, shampoo chair, and waiting area, all at the same time. Heather opened as the only income producer with 2 smart, cosmetology graduates to assist and cover Guest Happiness.  Today, Neatbeat resides in a 5,000 sq ft piece of sacred ground that is the home to The Neatbeat Brigade, a team of hand selected and highly favored individuals. There is a servant-driven, committment to excellence mentality that breathes through the company. All of that directly equates to a happy, profitable business.  Heather’s life mission is to share her faceplants and breakthroughs with other salon professionals for the goal of Positively Impacting People in the beauty industry, resulting in Global Domination :)