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SEARCHSerious Business 2014 promises a diverse group of enlightening business speakers.
Editors of SALON TODAY will join the 1,000-plus salon owners and managers gathering in New Orleans this weekend for Serious Business, a beauty industry business conference that combines inspiration, education and wisdom from some of the world’s most innovative thinkers. This year’s event, which is themed “Trust Me?” will be held at the Roosevelt Hotel, January 19-20. Here’s a glimpse of the great main-stage speakers attendees can expect to see:
Randy Gage is the author of nine books, including the New York Times bestseller, Risky Is the New Safe. He has spoken in 48 U.S. States, all Canadian provinces and 48 other countries, to more than 2 million people. He was listed in the "Who's Hot" article for Speaker Magazine and in 2013 was inducted into the Speakers Hall of Fame. For more than 20 years, he has been helping people transform self-limiting beliefs into self-fulfilling breakthroughs to achieve their dreams.
Dr. Henry Cloud is an acclaimed leadership expert and the best-selling author of Boundaries, Integrity and Necessary Endings. He draws on his experience in business, leadership consulting, and his practice as a clinical psychologist, to impart practical and effective advice for improving leadership skills and workplace performance.
Danielle LaPorte is the outspoken creator of The Desire Map, author of The Fire Starter Sessions, and co-creator of Your Big Beautiful Book Plan. An inspirational speaker, former think tank exec and business strategist, she writes weely at DanielleLaPorte.com where more than a million visitors have gone for her straight-up advice. The site was named one of the “Top 100 Websites for Women” by Forbes.
Lauren Gartland, a.k.a. the Red-Headed Firecracker, is the founder of Inspiring Champions, one of the top salon and spa coaching companies in the country. Garland works tirelessly to transform the lives of thousands of salon professionals to help them make more money, work fewer hours and live more balanced lives. In 2013 Inspiring Champions was selected to be one of four training companies to represent L'Oreal Professional Business College.
Greg Link is the co-founder of the former Cover Leadership Center, CoveyLink, and the Franklin Covey Global Speed of Trust Practice, a fast-growing global consultancy committed to influencing influencers to grow their careers and their organizations at the Speed of Trust. As coc-founder of the Covey Leadership Center, Link orchestrated the strategy that led Dr. Stephen R. Covey’s book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, to become one of the two best-selling business books of the 20th century. Link helps people and organizations transform toxic relationships, teams and organizational cultures to harness high trust as a performance multiplier.
Other Serious Business Speakers include: Tom Kuhn, Kaylee Diaz and Jeffery Goldenstein of The 2 to 10 Project; John DiJulius, international consultant, author and owner of John Robert’s Spa; Susan Haise of Neroli Salon and Spa; Keri Davis of Gila Rut Salon; Shel Pink, founder of SpaRitual; Penelope Tobin, CEO of Barrier Breakers; and Wendy Watkins, founder of the Joy Factor philosophy.
For more information about Serious Business 2014, visit seriousbusiness.net.
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.
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.
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.
Celebrating 60 years in haircare, Dippity-Do is honoring its styling heritage with its Girls with Curls collection, a reimagined Light Hold Gelée inspired by the brand's original 1965 styling gel.
Covet & Mane has expanded its Pro Color System with the launch of Color Boost Drops, completing what the company says is the first professional color system engineered specifically for hair extensions.
The 2026 Beauty Changes Lives Legacy Award has been awarded to Sam Villa for his trailblazing contribution, advocacy and mentorship that has profoundly transformed and elevated the professional beauty industry.
CND is relaunching its SHELLAC system with a new CND Visible Light Lamp, updated packaging, and an expanded shade offering.
Curl Cult founder Janine Jarman, a hairstylist, salon owner, educator, and product creator, is opening a community investment round that gives hairdressers and clients the opportunity to own a stake in the company they helped grow.
The night honored the artists and collections shaping the future of professional beauty during PBA NAHA 2026.
The ultra-lightweight, handle-free dryer is designed to reduce wrist strain while delivering powerful performance behind the chair.
Aura Salonware is proud to announce its 2026 scholarship recipients. This first-time scholarship in partnership with the Professional Beauty Association awarded three different scholarships to support beauty professionals at every point in their professional journey.
SalonCentric has announced its expansion into Alaska, marking the distributor’s presence across all 50 states and bringing additional access to professional beauty products, education and business support to licensed salon professionals in the region.
The 2026 Faces of Sola Visionaries encompass industry leaders driving innovation and meaningful change on their own terms.
Though their Astronaut of Hope collection of brushes and clips, ERGO Styling Tools raises $33,000 to support HairToStay, the first and only national nonprofit dedicated to making scalp cooling treatments affordable for cancer patients.
A new professional smoothing collection designed to help stylists control frizz and humidity while maintaining natural-looking results.
At the America’s Beauty Show press conference—hosted in collaboration with Cosmetologists Chicago—these standout professionals were recognized for their contributions to the industry.
A full day of education for hairstylists and salon pros focused on pricing, personal branding, client experience, social media, and long-term career growth.
