
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.
Get the most out of your Instagram captions with these five tips.

Don’t be afraid to admit it, we’ve all been there. You have spent an embarrassing amount of time deliberating the perfect Insta caption. It happens to the best of us—even the pros! Finding just the right mix of engaging, clever, attention-grabbing yet not overwhelming can be tough. Get the most out of your Instagram captions with these five tips.
Length: Just because you have room for length, (2,200 characters, including emojis and up to 30 hashtags) that doesn’t mean you should write whole paragraphs. Many people scroll through Instagram quickly so a daunting caption can be a turnoff. Keep it brief and let the image do the talking (and inspiring)!
Word Order: Hook a user by putting important words towards the beginning of the caption. In a user’s feed, the text is cut off after just a few lines so if your caption is longer, mentions and hashtags should go at the end.
Hashtags: Love them, definitely use them for more engagement and to connect to fellow stylists and potential clients, but don’t go crazy. Use relevant ones but not so many that your post is painful to look at.
Ask a Question: Make your post more engaging by asking followers a question, it could be an opinion or a yes or no question. It’s an easy way to get more comments and hear from your customers!
Get Creative: “This afternoon’s balayage!” or something similar might get a little boring after the third or fourth post. Try something a little more inventive like a satisfied client’s quote on their appointment experience.
About Kelly Ehlers
:Kelly Ehlers is the Founder and CEO of Ideas That Evoke, a social media and PR agency that was recently named one of the “Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America” by Entrepreneur Magazine.
Additionally, Kelly was named the Enterprising Woman of the Year in 2015 by Enterprising Women Magazine, and was a semi-finalist for Entrepreneur Magazine’s “2014 Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year.”
Kelly’s rapidly growing agency works with global and domestic brands, from Elizabeth Arden skincare and cosmetics, Red Door Spa, Andis Company and Wella Professionals - to a variety of lifestyle and luxury brands, including multiple Procter and Gamble brands. The foundation of the agency is built on solving business challenges for brands, through social innovation – and has been doing so since 2009.

MODERN SALON sat down with Samuels to discuss the book, beauty education, mentorship and the habits that help beauty professionals thrive.

"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

Real-world advice on creativity, consultations, color, burnout, business, boundaries, inclusivity, client care, and career growth from educators and industry experts.

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.

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.

From breaking free of external validation to creating joy-based goals, discover a more sustainable and fulfilling path to success.

A full day of education for hairstylists and salon pros focused on pricing, personal branding, client experience, social media, and long-term career growth.

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.

This marks Ulta Beauty’s first scholarship partnership with Beauty Changes Lives, building on years of enthusiastic support for the organization and its mission.

Locally owned Great Clips salons offer a wide variety of career opportunities, competitive compensation, supportive salon teams and opportunities to grow your skills, both technically and professionally.
Sponsored by Great Clips

Salon suite consultant Karen Kaminski explains why cheap salon suite rent can destabilize the salon suite business model and why value-based pricing may be a smarter strategy.

These stylists practice hairdresser magic, transforming clients into unicorns, mermaids, rainbows and living works of art.

Keratin Complex is taking education on the road in 2026 with the launch of KC on Tour, a live event series featuring industry icon and salon business coach Tabatha Coffey.

Modern professionalism is evolving beyond hard skills. Technical training is essential but about 85 percent of job success comes from soft skills. In a world where AI and automation are increasing, human connection becomes more valuable, not less.

In his new book "The Creative Mastermind," a writer and creative executive behind brands such as "Top Chef," "Fear Factor," and "Real Housewives," shares his insider knowledge for navigating today's chaotic content landscape.

Personalization is no longer just the cherry on top; it’s the whole sundae. If clients don’t feel like you designed and personalized the experience just for them, they’ll find a salon that does.

Ulta Beauty is always innovating to meet professionals where they are. Amazing transformations happened at The Salon at Ulta Beauty in 2025, and Ulta Beauty artistry and education will be everywhere you want to go in the year ahead. Come see all The Salon at Ulta Beauty has planned for you in 2026!
Sponsored by Ulta Beauty