
Announcing the MODERN SALON 100 Class of 2026
Join us in congratulating this year's list of hardworking, game-changing individuals.
Salon owner, stylist and member of CosmoProf's artistic team, Jacob Khan (@jacobhkhan) has earned himself more than 200K followers on Instagram. Beyond beauty, he posts hilarious videos, and even hosts a comedy podcast!


Salon owner, stylist and member of CosmoProf's artistic team, Jacob Khan (@jacobhkhan) has earned himself more than 200K followers on Instagram.
Salon owner, stylist and member of CosmoProf's artistic team, Jacob Khan (@jacobhkhan) has earned himself more than 200K followers on Instagram. Beyond beauty, he posts hilarious videos, and even hosts a comedy podcast!
Salon: Jacob K Hair, Atlanta
Specialty: Cut, color and education
Followers: 261K
Most viral post: My most viral post in the past year is a step-by-step of me showing a different way to refine a bob shape. I think that it was a popular post because people are hungry for education. I like to make my videos very clear with simple language and basically tips to make your experience in the salon as a hairdresser more fun and easy, yet still without cutting any corners.
Favorite apps: I really only use two different apps when creating my posts for Instagram. Splice to edit my video and put things together, it has unlicensed music so you can have background sounds and it also has sound effects if you like to spice it up like that too; Font Candy + to add text over photos as well as create fliers.
Favorite hashtags: #licensedtocreate #jacobkhair #laughmore
I follow: @jesslynhair @hairbyrebeccacampbell @unimonicorn @chealsemorgan @savannahcohran @shelbymontecillo
Pro tips: What I’m trying to achieve with each one of my posts is something that is honest, relatable, entertaining and helpful! I don’t like to see anything that is too show-boaty or grand-standing online. No click-bait either! The best advice I can give is to remember that people have very short attention spans, especially when it comes to Instagram. Video will help you grow a lot faster than pictures will these days, but make sure you keep it interesting and don’t have anything drag on for too long. If something is “oddly satisfying” people love it! Even if it doesn’t show an end result, if it is soothing to watch it will go far!
Hidden talent: I write comedy and short skits with friends of mine. We are even starting a comedy podcast called This is a Bad Idea where we debate certain subjects that we know we’ll disagree on.
How social media changed my life: Social media has done nothing but change my life for the positive. It has allowed me to promote my brand and culture way faster and further than I ever could without it. It also has been a jet engine behind the creation of my salon and it has helped me make a place where I can provide careers and opportunity for all of my friends and family in hair!
The first time I was featured on MODERN’s Insta: The first time I was ever featured by MODERN wasn’t even on Instagram! It was on the featured section of the website back in 2011 or 2012. I didn’t even have an Instagram at the time and I would just send in different photos from shoots I had done just hoping that I could end up on the front page of the website. The first time was a collaboration between my friends Monica Welch, Jamie Stout, and myself. It was a really soft pastel pink tone on a pixie cut that we had shot. I was so excited to see it posted!
See the full 2018 MODERN SALON 100 here!

Join us in congratulating this year's list of hardworking, game-changing individuals.

With more than four decades in the industry, hairdresser and MODE Education founder Stan Newton has built a career around the art and discipline of cutting hair, learning the rules so he can break them.

Ashley Leoncini believes success in beauty is built through genuine connection, resourcefulness and the willingness to evolve. A bridal specialist with 17 years in the industry, Leoncini has created a career by making clients feel valued, investing in hands-on education and redefining success to include a healthier work-life balance.

Able to create a shag with gorgeous texture on anyone, Stephanie Carrillo has found her calling within the beauty industry. Now she teaches shag cutting techniques herself, inspiring countless other stylists to fall in love with creating the popular look.

When you think of Stephanie Geib, think bold color. Think beautiful dimension. Think...your hairstylist best friend. As a 2017 Honoree of the MODERN SALON 100, Geib is the perfect example of being a positive force in the beauty industry, advising that being kind to others and sharing your knowledge is the real success.

Hannah Mejia believes lasting success comes from mastering your craft, embracing lifelong education and trusting that the career you dream about is within reach. A stylist, educator and content creator, Mejia has spent 15 years building a business rooted in creativity, communication and continuous growth.

Katy Samuels has spent 14 years proving that creativity thrives when you stop searching for the "right" way and start trusting your own instincts. Known for her creative color work and signature Headband Prism technique, Samuels encourages beauty professionals to embrace mistakes, refine their craft and develop a style that's uniquely their own.

Erin Munoz has spent 17 years building a thriving business behind the chair while proving that success doesn't have to come at the expense of life outside the salon. A color specialist, content creator and salon owner, Munoz believes beauty professionals should treat their careers like businesses, embrace change and make room for both financial growth and personal fulfillment.

North Carolina-based hairstylist Tyler Plemmons wants you to know one thing: Positivity and perseverance will get you everywhere. This MODERN SALON Artist Connective Member and 2018 MODERN SALON 100 Honoree is known for beautiful balayage, gorgeous vivids, and soft pastel hair color.

For Angelica Tanta, success has always come down to one thing: practice. Originally from Romania, Tanta credits an online mentor from Ukraine—despite never meeting in person and communicating through Google Translate—with inspiring her to perfect her bridal artistry through relentless repetition.

Angela Orozco believes long-term success in the beauty industry is built on trust, consistency and genuine human connection. A stylist at The Nest Salon in Brea, California, Orozco has spent 14 years cultivating a reputation for dimensional brunettes, precision haircutting and authentic relationships that have fueled her career.

Erin Mills believes beauty professionals deserve more than a successful career. A hairstylist turned multi-salon owner, Mills has spent 17 years growing her business while helping her team create lasting impact.

For Mish Jolie (@meltedbymish), success isn't measured by how busy you are, it's measured by how fulfilled you feel. The Connecticut-based stylist, educator and MODERN SALON 100 honoree has built a career around balayage, lived-in brunettes and razor cutting.

Amanda Harsche has built her career on two simple beliefs: never stop learning and never stop connecting.

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.

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.

Transformation artist Melissa Dawn has spent more than two decades building a career that's equal parts creativity and business strategy. Dawn is known for dramatic transformations, creative color and a philosophy that encourages beauty professionals to keep learning, set healthy boundaries and define success on their own terms.