Where Are Salon Suites Headed Next?
Whether a beauty professional chooses a commission salon, booth rental, salon suite or salon ownership, the common thread is having more choices than ever before.
by Anne Moratto
Game Changers 2016: Najah Aziz's Edgy, Textured Cuts
Najah Aziz left behind a 16-year corporate career when she decided it was time to pursue her passion for hair. She opened Like The River The Salon and began working to elevate clients and fellow stylists through beauty and education.
Elizabeth Jakaitis・Assistant Editor
2 min to read
Najah Aziz left behind a 16-year corporate career when she decided it was time to pursue her passion for hair. She opened Like The River The Salon and began working to elevate clients and fellow stylists through beauty and education. She founded Beauty Beyond the Hair, a quarterly seminar and workshop to teach stylists technical skills and business practices to advance their careers. Her Instagram is all about fashion-forward styles, especially chic, short cuts.
About Najah
Owner of Like The River The Salon in Atlanta
Beauty school: Atlanta Technical College
Follow:
Instagram: @najahliketheriver
Twitter: @liketheriveratl
Periscope: @liketheriveratl
Instagram: 189k followers
Best known for: Edgy-but-feminine short haircuts, texture
Most viral post: “This was inspired by the waves and pin curls of the 1920s and ’30s; I just added a few elements to make the old look new again. In addition to being all over social media, other stylists started asking me to
show them how I created the look and, from that, my Beauty Beyond the Hair classes for hairstylists took off.”
Favorite apps: Tweegram, Morebeaute2, PicPlayPost
Tip to get the best results on a post: “Get a model with great hair, take action shots—not sitting in the chair—and make them smile!”
Favorite hashtags: #modernsalon #shorthair
Who you’re following:@liketheriversalon, @beautybeyondthehair
Passions other than beauty: Cooking and mixology
How social media changed your life: “Everywhere I go, people recognize me and ask if I can cut their hair.”
Would love to makeover: Jennifer Hudson and Condoleezza Rice
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
More Career
Sport Clips Haircuts Hosts First-Ever Virtual Education and Career Experience for Stylists
Sport Clips Haircuts will host its inaugural "Level Up Live," a first-of-its-kind virtual event that combines live haircutting education, career inspiration, product knowledge, and employment opportunities for licensed stylists and cosmetology students nationwide.
by Staff
Physical Therapist Shares Best Posture Tips for Hairdressers and Nail Technicians to Prevent Neck, Back and Shoulder Pain
Orthopedic PT reveals three daily exercises plus ergonomic advice that can help salon professionals avoid the aches and injuries caused by standing, bending and repetitive overhead work.
by Anne Moratto
The Beauty Pro Book Club: 4 Reads to Inspire Growth and Success
Four publications for beauty industry professionals to enhance their leadership skills, financial awareness, professional growth, and joy!
by Anne Moratto
How AI Can Help Independent Beauty Professionals Build Stronger, More Profitable Businesses
Salon suite pioneer Karen Kaminski argues that the next evolution of independent beauty businesses won't be defined by beautiful spaces alone, it will be driven by smarter systems that help professionals spend less time on administrative work and more time serving clients.
Pre-PRIDE: Finding Allies in the Beauty Salon
At a time when many LGBTQ+ people felt compelled to hide parts of themselves, Carlos Valenzuela found a career in beauty and a community that offered opportunity based on what you could do and how well you could do it.
by Anne Moratto
Chaz Dean Shares 5 Career Lessons for Hairstylists Building a Lasting Career
Whether it's social media, fashion, film, art, or culture, Chaz Dean advises stylists to stay aware of what's inspiring people. Take the elements that make sense for you in these five lessons learned through a life in beauty.
by Anne Moratto
The MODERN Artist Connective Edit: Jessica Domoney Says Success Starts with Boundaries
For Jessica Domoney, building a successful career isn't about saying yes to every opportunity, it's about protecting your time, investing in yourself and creating an experience clients won't forget.
by Anne Moratto
Rodrick Samuels on The Silent Work, Modern Beauty Education and Why Empathy Wins
MODERN SALON sat down with Samuels to discuss the book, beauty education, mentorship and the habits that help beauty professionals thrive.
by Anne Moratto
AI Won't Replace Your Voice—Unless You Let It
"The mistake people make is treating AI like a vending machine instead of a personal assistant." Digital marketing expert Scott Moon shares how beauty professionals can use AI while staying authentic
by Anne Moratto
50 Smart Things Beauty Educators Have Told Us
Real-world advice on creativity, consultations, color, burnout, business, boundaries, inclusivity, client care, and career growth from educators and industry experts.
by Anne Moratto
50 Smart Things Beauty Educators Have Told Us
Real-world advice on creativity, consultations, color, burnout, business, boundaries, inclusivity, client care, and career growth from educators and industry experts.
by Anne Moratto
What Salon and Spa Professionals Need to Know About Skin Longevity
Today's clients are hearing more about longevity, biohacking, inflammation, and healthy aging than ever before. This article explores the science and language behind the skin longevity movement, and what it could mean for client consultations, treatment recommendations, and professional credibility.
Financial Educator Anna Manukyan Launches Masterclass for Early Career Stylists
Licensed to Thrive, Anna Manukyan's all-in-one beauty career and financial masterclass, is being gifted to professionals who enroll in L'Oreal LEVEL Rewards for a limited time.
6 Ways Self-Love Will Help You Crush Your Goals
From breaking free of external validation to creating joy-based goals, discover a more sustainable and fulfilling path to success.
MODERN SALON Boot Camp Heads to Austin: One-Day Beauty Business & Career Education Event for Beauty Professionals
A full day of education for hairstylists and salon pros focused on pricing, personal branding, client experience, social media, and long-term career growth.
How Michelle Bowden Had a Breakout Year (and How Other Stylists Can, Too)
From working backstage at multiple Paris Fashion Week shows to collaborating on four creative collections and expanding her international stage work, Michelle Bowden has had an incredible year of growth. Here, we break down her approach that drove her momentum, offering a framework for stylists looking to elevate their own careers.