Where leaders love to learn

The Ethical Edge: Demystifying AI in the Beauty and Wellness Industry

AI is rapidly becoming part of everyday life. Across industries, it is being used to enhance efficiency and improve client experiences. As these tools become more and more accessible, many beauty and wellness professionals may be feeling both excited and slightly overwhelmed by what this shift means for their day-to-day. How do we embrace the … Continued

Modernizing a 4th Generation Business: The System Behind the Scenes

When I was growing up, the beauty industry was simply part of the rhythm of family life. It was dinner table conversation, weekends spent around the business, warehouse visits, and hair shows. It developed into the kind of stories that stay with you for years. I didn’t grow up thinking, “One day, this will all … Continued

Best Medical Spa Software in Canada (2026)

An Honest Comparison for Growth-Minded Medspa Owners If you’ve spent any time researching medspa software online, you’ve probably noticed something frustrating: most comparison articles are written by the very companies selling the software. Pabau’s blog ranks Pabau first. Vagaro’s website calls Vagaro the best choice. Even many “independent” roundups are quietly backed by affiliate deals … Continued

Why Self-Belief is a Business Strategy

At this year’s Salon Owners’ Summit, Phorest invited Katie Piper to deliver our closing keynote for a reason. The salon, spa, and clinic industry is powered largely by women – approximately 85% to 93%, according to the National Hair and Beauty Foundation. It is built on resilience, emotional intelligence, and the ability to adapt under … Continued

The Art of the WOW Experience

Achieving a “WOW experience” for clients is the goal – but are you consistently creating the same feeling for your team? In the competitive salon, spa, and clinic industry, being “average” is no longer good enough. It’s about cultivating a culture where engaged employees deliver extraordinary experiences – every single day. This requires you to … Continued

10 PhorestFM Podcast Conversations That Quietly Said the Loudest Things

For the past nine years, whenever someone asked if I was from the industry, I had my well-practiced answer ready: “Actually, no, I come from a sound recording/tech background…” I would say this with a smile, always accompanied by a brief, perceptive pause and a shift in my seat, unable to fully conceal my belief … Continued

The Future of AI at Phorest

Every so often, an industry hits a turning point. These moments call for reflection – and they call for leadership. 2026 is one of those moments.  AI is no longer experimental. It’s rapidly becoming part of everyday business operations, shaping how teams communicate, how decisions are made, and how clients experience service. Across the salon, … Continued

Profit Playbook: Success Stories that Actually Work

Profit: it’s an uncomfortable topic for many salon, spa, and clinic professionals. Yet, without profit, a business cannot survive. Erin Kuhn Bhansali, President and Partner of Qnity, opened her keynote at the Salon Owners Summit 2026 by addressing that tension head-on. With over 15 years of experience transforming financial education and business performance in the … Continued

OBM in Numbers: The Data Behind The Marketing Results 

For many business owners in the professional hair and beauty industry, measuring marketing results can be complicated. Have new bookings come from that email campaign sent last week? Are people talking more about a product because they heard about it from friends, or saw it on your Meta Ads? What’s the best creative to use … Continued