About
A recently formed division of Qnity Inc, our purpose is creating economic empowerment through actionable data, financial literacy, and workforce data. We want to make accurate information about a career in professional beauty easily accessible and readily available so that professionals entering the industry have all the information they need to create a career they love and the power to thrive financially.
REPORT NOW AVAILABLE: A CAREER IN PRO BEAUTY
Findings from the Pro Beauty Compensation Study
WHAT DOES COMPENSATION LOOK LIKE FOR A CAREER IN PROFESSIONAL BEAUTY?
WHAT DOES A CAREER IN PROFESSIONAL BEAUTY LOOK LIKE FROM A WAGE AND HOURS STANDPOINT?
This is the question we’ve sought to answer as we conducted Phase 1 & 2 of the Pro Beauty Compensation Study. What started as a grassroots effort to help service providers better understand their compensation has quickly escalated in importance as media outlets have published more and more misinformation about earnings in the beauty and wellness industry. We came to learn that much of the data made available to the public about cosmetology pay and hours is alarming, shocking, flawed, or biased.
why does this matter?
WHY DOES THIS MATTER?
Much of the data being used does not tell the full story about a career in beauty. There’s a pervasive narrative that paints a very grim picture about earnings in beauty and wellness
$16,767
The Century Foundation analysis of earnings data from ‘the College Scorecard’
$29,670
Median annual wage for a hairdresser in the United States according to BLS.
what can we do with the right narrative?
WHAT CAN WE DO WITH THE RIGHT NARRATIVE?
Attract talent to the industry
Retain great talent in our businesses
make the industry a top career choice
correct negative perceptions
STUDY PHASE & EVOLUTION
STUDY PHASE & EVOLUTION
The study was performed in phases as part of a long term effort to gain clarity and additional points of reference on salon compensation. Several principles guided us and informed our work. We listened and learned with each phase. We embraced being small so we could quickly evolve, getting closer and closer to quality data. We aimed for progress not perfection and transparency in all aspects of the study.
BETA PHASE
Q1 2022
- The beta phase started as a small financial literacy project.
- It was intended to help a group of small business owners (with 13 combined locations) educate their employees on how to fully understand their compensation.
PHASE ONE
Q2 2022
- Beta findings led to the development of a methodology based on verifiable W2 data.
- Phase 1 was a small, grass-roots study with no outside funding. To go fast, we went alone.
- Phase 1 results compelled us to dig even deeper.
PHASE TWO
Q3-4 2022
- Evolved into an industry-wide collaboration with substantial upgrades.
- Biased, incomplete, and flawed data sources drove us to provide an additional point of reference.
- Represented data from thousands of beauty industry professionals.
PHASE THREE
2023
- Phase 3 will expand to include multiple studies. We will continue to advocate for all aspects of cosmetology.
- We will gather data from additional segments of the workforce. including chain salons, day spas, franchises, and independents.
MEET THE STUDY TEAM
MEET THE STUDY TEAM
STERN NEILL, PhD
CAL-POLY
SONJA ECKLUND
QNITY
Jared Sanders, CPA
LSA
BEN MESICK
INDEPENDENT
CANDY LIU, CPA
LSA
ABOUT THE CHAIR
About the chair
Tom Kuhn
CEO & Founder of Qnity, Beauty Changes Lives Board Member
Tom Kuhn is a former CPA and previous multi-location salon owner, turned entrepreneur. Recognized as the trusted financial expert, advisor and leader for the beauty and wellness industries, he has had access to and studied the economics of the salon industry and salon compensation for over 25 years. As Founder/CEO of Qnity Inc and Qnity for Schools, Tom has worked in all segments of Pro Beauty within the US and internationally, including barber shops, day spas, medical spas, value chains, independents, distribution, manufacturing, education, associations and more. Tom has and continues to dedicate his career to the financial success and sustainability of the industry at large. In addition, Tom is an active educator, spokesperson and contributor through various industry platforms, serving as the Creator/CEO of the 2to10 Project, a Beauty Changes Lives board member and the host of the Weekly Financial Roundtable; a weekly forum designed to support the school and professional market on current financial topics and best practices.
Tom Kuhn is a former CPA and previous multi-location salon owner, turned entrepreneur. Recognized as the trusted financial expert, advisor and leader for the beauty and wellness industries, he has had access to and studied the economics of the salon industry and salon compensation for over 25 years. As Founder/CEO of Qnity Inc and Qnity for Schools, Tom has worked in all segments of Pro Beauty within the US and internationally, including barber shops, day spas, medical spas, value chains, independents, distribution, manufacturing, education, associations and more. Tom has and continues to dedicate his career to the financial success and sustainability of the industry at large. In addition, Tom is an active educator, spokesperson and contributor through various industry platforms, serving as the Creator/CEO of the 2to10 Project, a Beauty Changes Lives board member and the host of the Weekly Financial Roundtable; a weekly forum designed to support the school and professional market on current financial topics and best practices.
THANK YOU TO OUR COLLABORATORS
THANK YOU TO OUR COLLABORATORS
Founding Sponsors
Other Sponsors
Thank you to our Advocates
