Looking Inward: With Community at Its Heart, Davines Reinvents Its Pro Channel for North America
The Davines Edit reflects the brand’s passion for people and planet.
by Anne Moratto
Choose Beauty: John Ryan
Normal.dotm 0 0 1 268 1528 Vance Publishing 12 3 1876 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false ...
by Staff
July 11, 2011
2 min to read
JOHN RYAN —
Co-owner (with wife Melissa) of Festoon Salons, San Francisco area
WHY I CHOSE BEAUTY:
“When when I was in junior high, I saw the movie Shampoo and was so into it. When I graduated from high school, my mom told me I had to go to college to become a doctor or lawyer—anything other than a hairdresser. Reluctantly, I went to the University of Iowa, and while there I cut my girlfriend’s long hair all off. She flipped when I was done because I had given her this asymetrical new-wave cut with a long tail down the middle of the back. All the girls in the dorm came out to see it and by the end of the night, I cut the hair of five more girls. One girl actually gave me a five-dollar tip, which was huge back then, and I thought, ‘wow, I can make money at this!’"
“I dropped out the next day and enrolled in beauty school and knew I was going to work at the best salon in town. Every time I had a client in school, I asked her, rather than tip me, to go to that salon and tell them how great I was. On top of that, I took Polaroids of each finished look and slipped it under the salon door with my name on it. After a few months I went and introduced myself. The owner told me I would be hired upon graduation." John Ryan cutting a client's hair.
“That owner came to my graduation and handed me a card. Inside there was $500 and a note that said, ‘You are NOT hired for my salon. Take this money and go to a big city. You have no excuse to stay here.’"
“I packed up my bags and moved to San Francisco. Eventually I became the Creative Director of Jaboh and then opened Festoon with my wife Melissa. Since earning my license, I have created more than 65,000 cuts and 35,000 colors. I’ve been around the world several times either as an artist or for training. I’ve made a lot of money and have created careers for other professionals. This has been the most magical career ever.â€
More In The Know
RÜTE Wash Launches Shower Cap Designed for Crown Washing and Hair Extensions
RÜTE Wash introduces a shower cap designed specifically for crown washing, helping clients with hair extensions cleanse the scalp while protecting the lengths from water.
by Anne Moratto
Premiere San Antonio Returns as a Must-Attend Beauty Trade Show in the Southwest
Premiere San Antonio Presented by SalonCentric returns for its fourth edition August 30-31 at the Henry B. González Convention Center, delivering its biggest and boldest event to date.
by Anne Moratto
MODERN SALON Boot Camp Is Coming to Philadelphia
One-Day Personal and Professional Development Education Event for Beauty Professionals Set for October 25, 2026, at the Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue.
by Anne Moratto
The Work Behind the Win: Road to NAHA Series Brings Artist Inside the Creative Process
A live education series explores the ideas, collaboration, creative decisions and processes behind the winning work.
by Anne Moratto
Reddit Releases Its First Beauty-Specific Report: Conversations Around Beauty, Hair, Nail, and Skincare
According to the report, people are moving away from copy-paste trends and toward community, using real experiences to develop a sense of taste and beauty that reflects who they are.
by Anne Moratto
Entries Are Open for Wella Professionals’ Trend Vision Awards 2026
Hairstylists and barbers can showcase their creative and technical vision in two global categories with cash prizes and a chance to represent in Portugal.
by Anne Moratto
Black Beauty Roster Hosts Beauty Expo Presented by SalonCentric in NYC
The BBR Beauty Show featured a prominent speaker lineup including Lacy Redway, Karrueche Tran, Danessa Myricks, Chelley B., Sabrina Elba, Jessica Harris-Dupart, and more.
by Staff
Pro Beauty Pulse: A Monthly View of Industry Confidence
The Professional Beauty Association and Pivot Point team up to develop an ongoing study that measures the confidence of salon owners, stylists, school owners, and students.
by Stacey Soble
ASCP, ISPA and PBA Receive 2026 Power of Associations Award for Esthetics Licensure Compact
This shared recognition celebrates the strength of industry collaboration in advancing professional mobility.
by Stacey Soble
In Dubai, Clients Visit the Salon Every Week. Here’s What That Market Can Teach You
In Dubai, a salon visit isn’t an appointment. It’s a weekly routine, and clients can spend $800 to $1,400 a month on it, according to Gaurav Tripathi of MADI International. On October 6-8, 2026, the market behind those numbers opens its doors as Beautyworld Dubai marks its 30th edition at the Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together distributors, brands, stylists and salon owners from all over the world.
Sponsored by BeautyWorld Dubai
Wear Your Wellness: Wearable Patches for Energy, Sleep, Stress, and Recovery
The Good Patch is a leading wearable wellness patch brand, offering wellness and skincare patches that support everyday needs including energy, sleep, relaxation and more.
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
Improving Texture Skills for All: Ulta Beauty and BBR Announce Pilot Launch of All Textures Certification (ATC) and Training
Ulta Beauty has announced its partnership with Black Beauty Roster to launch the pilot of All Textures Certification (ATC). The new program is aimed at addressing gaps in education within the beauty industry and raising the level of skills and guest satisfaction for all.
by Staff
Mireya Villarreal Announces From Chair to Boss Live, a New Business Education Event for Beauty Professionals
Mireya Villarreal, founder of From Chair to Boss™, is bringing together beauty industry leaders for a new one-day educational event designed to help salon professionals strengthen the business side of their careers. From Chair to Boss Live! will take place September 28 at the Hilton Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center in Oak Brook, Illinois.
by Anne Moratto
Universe Walker to Host The Art of Dry Cutting Workshop in Brooklyn on July 20
Salon owner, tech founder, and educator Universe Walker will bring her signature workshop, The Art of Dry Cutting, to Brooklyn on July 20, offering stylists a chance to deepen their understanding of shape, movement, texture, and dry cutting.
by Staff
Staying Informed: Why the Financial Conversation in Beauty Is Changing
As part of our ongoing commitment to sharing resources that help beauty professionals stay informed, we thought it was worth introducing our audience to The Chatter and the unique perspective it brings to industry conversations.
by Anne Moratto