Category: Industry News

The industry is ever changing here are some various topics in the Industry! Good and Bad

Too Much Responsibility, Not Enough Pay

~ Joseph Kellner

A former Ulta manager’s experience working for the beauty retailer has drawn many viewers and sparked discussion among commenters on TikTok. Posted by user Kenya Broadnax (@kbmakeupme24), the two-part retelling of her three years of experience with the company has drawn over half a million views as of Sunday. She has previously shared experiences working for other companies. In her first video, she says she worked for the beauty retailer from 2012 to 2015, starting as a cashier and working her way from a cashiering position up to a prestige manager position.

When she first took her position as a prestige manager within the store, she says she was offered $10 per hour because she did not have a college degree, even though the store’s standard for management was $17 hourly. They eventually agreed to $14 an hour, which she says their payroll specialist called “pushing it.” “The communication was terrible, payroll was terrible, the lack of schedule was terrible,” she says in the video. “We would open the store with two people—a manager and a cashier—and the manager would be in the office the entire time. As the cashier, you’re up at the front by yourself doing returns, doing exchanges, checking customers out, you’re color matching in prestige, you’re helping people, you’re trying to deter theft, all one person doing that entire job for at least two to three hours before someone shows up to cover you.”

During her time at Ulta, she says she did not have the opportunity to take lunch breaks and worked under unprofessional management who were transphobic. In a second video, she says she essentially had too much responsibility for not enough pay and was expected to oversee more than she realistically felt able to with an understaffed team.

The Daily Dot has reached out to Broadnax via Instagram direct message, as well as to Ulta directly via email regarding the video. Several viewers expressed frustration on behalf of the poster and shared that they had similar stories about working for Ulta. “Sometimes I don’t know who Ulta hates more: clients or employees,” one commenter wrote. “That was definitely the company wide culture at that time,” another user said. “I got so fed up I walked out during my shift in 2015.” “Working at Ulta was the worst decision I have ever made in my life,” one user echoed.

Coty Changing The Definitions Of Beauty

~ Joseph Kellner

One of the world’s largest beauty companies with a portfolio of iconic brands across fragrance, color cosmetics, skin and body care, launches a new campaign to change the dictionary definitions of beauty. The #UndefineBeauty campaign recognizes that the current English language definitions of the term ‘beauty’ are outdated and no longer reflect the values of today’s society. Specifically, the examples cited under the current entries for ‘beauty’ across the leading English dictionaries are both limiting and exclusive.

Sue Y. Nabi, Coty’s CEO, has written an open letter to the major Dictionary houses, co-signed by the Company’s Executive Committee and Senior Leadership Team, highlighting the outdated nature of their definitions, and their need for review.

Sue Y. Nabi said, “Seen through the lens of today’s society and values, the definition of beauty hasn’t aged well. Of course, not all people are impacted by, or feel excluded by these definitions. But the implicit ageism and sexism in the examples were born in a different time. We believe it’s time to bridge the gap – time to bring the definition to where society is today. By changing the definition, if more people feel included – feel beautiful – there will be a ripple effect which touches us all.”

“At Coty, we believe that no one can control or dictate what is, or is not, beautiful,” said Sue Y. Nabi. That is why the campaign to #UndefineBeauty aims to ‘undefine’ rather than simply ‘redefine’ beauty, so that no one feels excluded by the definition or examples that accompany it. Founded in Paris in 1904, Coty is one of the world’s largest beauty companies with a portfolio of iconic brands across fragrance, color cosmetics, and skin and body care. Coty serves consumers around the world, selling prestige and mass market products in more than 130 countries and territories. Coty and our brands empower people to express themselves freely, creating their own visions of beauty; and we are committed to making a positive impact on the planet.

Radiance Holdings, Owner of Sola Salons, Bought by TSG

~ Joseph Kellner

Private equity firm TSG Consumer Partners (“TSG”) has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in Radiance Holdings, a high-growth platform representing a collection of premier brands in the beauty, wellness, and self-care sectors. As part of the transaction, Radiance Holdings’ management team will continue to lead the company. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The company, based in Denver, Colo., is committed to investing in its brands, driving innovation, and helping their franchisees and community of independent beauty professionals grow their businesses and improve their lives. Radiance Holdings’ current portfolio is approximately 85 percent franchised and includes the following brands:

  • Sola Salons: Founded in 2004, Sola Salons is the world’s largest and fastest growing salon studios franchise with approximately 650 locations across the U.S. and Canada as of December 2022. Sola Salons rents premium suites to individual beauty care professionals, providing them with more autonomy and better economics than traditional salons.
  • Woodhouse Spas: Founded in 2001, Woodhouse Spas is the largest premium day spa brand in the U.S. with approximately 80 locations across the U.S. as of December 2022. Woodhouse Spas feature a multi-modality platform, anchored by massage and skincare, which brings resort-level quality to convenient neighborhood locations.

“TSG has an impressive track record of building and scaling world-class beauty and franchising brands, and we are thrilled to work with them,” said Christina Russell, CEO of Radiance Holdings. “We couldn’t be more excited to leverage TSG’s resources and expertise as we look to expand our platform and enhance our value proposition for franchisees, beauty care professionals, and consumers across our portfolio. As we build on our momentum and the powerful growth opportunities ahead, it’s critical that we collaborate with a partner that understands our business and has been down a similar road many times with brands that we admire.”

“Radiance Holding is empowering a new generation of beauty professionals seeking to work independently and offer their clientele more control over their salon experience, a trend accelerated by the pandemic,” said Michael Layman, managing director at TSG. “Their portfolio of differentiated brands are exceeding consumer expectations and are well positioned for further growth.”

Pierre LeComte, managing director at TSG, said, “We look forward to partnering with Christina and the management team to continue scaling their national platform in beauty and personal care through a variety of initiatives, including thoughtful digital marketing efforts developed in collaboration with TSG’s Digital Team, accelerated franchise development, strategic acquisitions, and service line extensions.”

Were Is The Labor Force

~ Joseph Kellner

Those that are keeping status quo attributed it to continuously slow business and a less-than-thriving economy. Salon owners will not be hiring new staff because they can’t afford to pay a living wage, and paying anything less is not in alignment with their morals. Or really with there GREED. Salon owners and corporate hack shacks will not go far anymore. I believe the beauty industry and the cosmetologists that were out of work during the pandemic. Have been given time to rethink there wage standards. And with different generation look at the industry as a waste of time. Especially if some one comes over the border and can get a job at Walmart at $15.00 a hour.

For those salon owners and corporate salons, actively seeking staff, be it stylists, colorists, assistants or receptionists, the quest is unanimously laborious and mostly unfruitful. “Salon owners are finding it more challenging than ever to find young stylists who are passionate about the beauty industry and who want to work more then two to three days a week.” Corporate salons advertise everywhere. Nobody is even looking at our ads for hiring,because all they offer is commissions. THAT’S IT! Some salon owners use the old trick in the industry of poaching from other salons after failed attempts with traditional advertising methods.

The tried and true method of reaching out directly to beauty schools for new licensed graduates is, for now, a thing of the past—most cosmetology schools were closed during the pandemic, likely due to a combination of stay-at-home orders and a widespread aversion to in-person experiences. The industry is simply behind when it comes to pay, benefits etc.

Some salon owners and corporate hacks find the solution is to hire back former employees rather than continue attempts to attract a new workforce. Others who are seeking help turn to resources such as Indeed, Craigslist, Facebook and Instagram. But either way the salon industry is a industry like China who slaves the work force. No pay, no benefits, no vacation. no medical. NOTHING.

Clients Have Changed Since The Government Lock Down

~ Joseph Kellner

Inflation and/or stock market volatility are not causing a slowdown in spending from salon clients. Those that did report a decrease in spending (47.1 percent) said they’re experiencing less frequent visits, a decline in add-on services, a delay in appointments and less spending on retail. And, of course, some clients have opted to take their hair routine into their own hands, coloring at home or embracing their grey. Those who are seeing an uptick in services said they are mostly conditioning treatments, smoothing services and color upgrades. Yes this industry will be changing. Especially if we see a depression in the future. Right now a lot of consumers have to worry about the increase in gas, rent, mortgages, food etc. In the next few months we will see new elections come arising and people will vote for there choose. A lot of citizens are very unhappy with the current administration and there handling of nationwide matters. Maybe the tide will change for the better for our nation. But to me there is a change in priority in beauty needs. Basic survival is the constant now. Not hair.

  • Clients are expressing more creativity and spontaneity, and especially a willingness to try new services.
  • Clients are booking standing appointments as far out as a year.
  • Clients are seeking low or bald haircuts to spend less on maintenance.