Meet Susan Wos of Salonspa Connection

Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Wos.

Hi Susan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have been a licensed hair stylist in the Kansas City area for the last 26 years. Throughout my career, I have worn many hats from assistant to corporate employee to salon owner. My journey in the beauty industry has been diverse and successful. I am a problem solver, a connector, someone who is fair and insightful. Encountering the same work-related issues since I first earned my cosmetology license to current day with all of the connective outlets we have at our fingertips is inspiring to me. The fantasy of enacting real change and connecting people was an ever-present desire of mine with every position I took throughout my career.

The salon, spa and barber industry is largely controlled by large product companies and distributors. I found the resources and offerings to be frustrating and I yearned for true help that was not dictated by corporations. Independent business owners were often lost in the sea of options and overlooked by the hottest and most well-funded salons, spas and barbershops. Places for licensed professionals looking for jobs, education and straightforward advice has historically been ineffective, scattered, and difficult to find.

A few years ago, I was faced with career decisions, life changes and considered what pathways I could and should take. Resolving the industry issues that had plagued me and many others seemed like the obvious option to explore. Circumstance, motivation to help people and desire to change the way the industry finds resources were the ultimate factors in launching Salonspa Connection, March 2019.

With a multitude of successes, tons of experimentation and several mistakes, the last 2 1/2 years has provided me an incredible education and experience I could not have gotten anywhere else. My mission became to find out what the local industry’s wants and needs are and to find the areas where gaps can be filled. Challenges and unforeseen happenings have allowed me to acclimate, learn and grow as Salonspa Connection continues to position itself as the local go-to for industry connectivity and resources in Kansas City. Helping people find what they are looking for and providing guidance to those who need it is very fulfilling and highly motivating!

The pandemic took us all by surprise and froze our industry solid for months which directly affected Salonspa Connection’s trajectory in 2020. Being at home with less demands and more time on my hands allowed me to think… I chose to make lemonade out of the Covid lemons and further strategize where the company should go next. In addition to offering employment connections and assistance, mentoring and education, in 2020 I added a space to buy and sell salons and pulled the trigger on a new system that could better accommodate the volume of business I was doing and what was to come.

We are currently awaiting a new website which will allow Salonspa Connection to run smoothly and be a more user-friendly experience. The new site will also allow Salonspa Connection to grow outside of Kansas City when the time is right. With new the features and capabilities at our fingertips, the growth of this company is exponential. It’s only a matter of meeting the right people to help us grow and implementing our strategy and services in surrounding, large metropolitan areas.

In addition to Salonspa Connection, I will be launching a new company that produces a hiring software program for industry owners in 2022. Compatibility is the key to long-term employment success in salons, spas and barbershops. This new sister company to Salonspa Connection will provide industry owners and applicants with immediate insight into how well suited they are for one another, explore important personal preferences and provide answers to the question “is this situation right for me?”.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Salonspa Connection has seen its fair share of struggles, failures and disappointments. The ride has been totally amazing for me personally and professionally, even with the pitfalls we have experienced. My abilities to navigate social media, an edit a website, learn new technologies and programs, stay organized and push through daunting tasks grow with every passing day.

Figuring out who you can trust, who will do what they say they will do and who will help you succeed has been one of the most challenging aspects of this business. Dealing with people en masse has been difficult to effectively track, assist and produce great results for on a consistent level. I have personally helped HUNDREDS of industry owners, instructors, hairstylists, barbers, nail technicians, estheticians and massage therapists. Compensation, reviews, and referrals are how we grow, yet so many forget to help who has provided them with a service or offering they would not have otherwise had access to.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Salonspa Connection?
Salonspa Connection provides resources and connectivity to the Kansas City salon, spa and barber industry. Our offerings include:
Employment and rental connections and guidance
City-wide education and event calendar
Space for connection to buyers and sellers of industry businesses
Independent educators for hire
Mentoring
Consulting
Owner services and connections to helpful business partners

We are known for providing unique resources to our industry and for providing personalized career and business assistance. We stand apart from any job board or business consultant because we provide excellent results and access to services that are otherwise unavailable. We would like everyone to know that help, guidance and connection to what the local beauty industry offers internally can be found on our website.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Showing support is HUGE for Salonspa Connection! Our grassroots company thrives on spreading the word about our services to anyone in the Kansas City salon, spa and barber industry. It is difficult to reach everyone who needs Salonspa Connection, referrals and helping us bring about awareness is the most supportive thing anyone can do. Those who we have helped or simply admire us from afar could leave a simple review on Facebook and Google to tell us thank you and we love what you are doing!

There are many complementary businesses we would love to have as trusted referral partners such as accountants, plumbers or anyone who provides quality services for industry owners and individuals. As we consider expansion into cities like St. Louis, Dallas, Des Moines and Oklahoma City, we would love to speak with those who would like to have Salonspa Connection in their hometowns.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.salonspaconnection.com/
• Instagram: @salonspaconnection
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salonspaconnection