Salon Managers

At Stevens Great, our Salon Managers are the most important leaders in the company. You set the tone, coach the team, and deliver the experience that keeps customers coming back. This isn’t a clipboard job. It’s a people-first leadership role that requires clarity, accountability, and heart.

When our salons succeed, it’s because of strong, present, and committed managers. When they struggle, it’s often because this role is unclear or under-executed. That’s why we created this guide — to give you everything you need to understand, own, and excel in this crucial position.

At Stevens Great, the title “Manager” isn’t about holding a position — it’s about leading with purpose and living our values. You are the heartbeat of your salon and the keeper of the customer and stylist experience.

Mindset You Must Bring

● Ownership > Excuses

● Clarity > Confusion

● Growth > Comfort

Your Core Responsibility

You are responsible for everything that happens or fails to happen in your salon — from people to process to performance.

Seven Key Areas

  • ○ Create a smart, well-balanced schedule that covers peak times and supports your team.

    ○ Ensure strong weekend and evening coverage while honoring flexibility and fairness.

  • ○ Show up with positivity, energy, and trust.

    ○ Spark fun, motivation, and connection through contests, challenges, and daily recognition.

  • ○ The salon reflects your leadership.

    ○ Ensure the cleaning checklist is done daily and details are never overlooked.

    ○ The salon is ready daily is the cosmetology board or Great Clips corporate were to visit for a facility inspection.

  • ○ Don’t hand off checklists — coach for growth.

    ○ Use GCU, Leads, and StevensGreat tools to help every stylist thrive.

  • ○ Set the tone — warm greetings, great service, friendly conversations, and a strong close.

    ○ Step in early when something feels off.

  • ○ Work with your GM + recruiter to keep your salon fully staffed.

    ○ Always be recruiting and building your bench.

  • ○ Use reports in Salon Data to track progress and close gaps.

    ○ Focus on customer count, retention, CPH, and retail.

How can you tell a Great manager from an average manager? 

Simply, if the job of a manager is defined as getting better outcomes from a group of people working together, then a great manager’s team will consistently achieve great outcomes. You can be the smartest, most hard working, likable manager in the business, but if your team produces mediocre outcomes, then greatness has yet to be achieved. As a Stevens Great manager, think of the salon you manage as your own personal million dollar business. 

YOU are the leader of a team, responsible for day to day salon operations and the overall success of your salon.

Stevens Great encourages all managers to adopt the Five Levels of Leadership as a management style. Please go to the Leadership section on this site to learn more. Each manager should read the book which we can provide for you.