The Phorest Blog

Phorest has long celebrated and supported the LGBTQIA+ community within the salon industry and beyond. And taking the time to listen, reflect, elevate and support the experiences, voices, and contributions of this community is part of our ongoing commitment to inclusion and education. In the spirit of helping one another grow, we’ve compiled a collection of resources and recommendations created by, for, and about the LGBTQIA+ community. Whether you’re celebrating Pride Month or simply seeking to deepen your understanding and allyship throughout the year, these suggestions aim to inspire reflection, connection and action. To read the blog, click here. Published on June 19, 2023 by Avril Kealy Want to learn more about what makes Phorest the software of choice for thousands of premium salons? Click here to book your free, no-obligation demo!

We are currently in the middle of a serious climate crisis. Seas are rising, temperatures are increasing, and a massive 80% of natural disasters are being caused by global warming. If emissions don’t fall by approximately half by 2030, scientists are predicting that the effects of climate change will become irreversible. As a spa business, you positively impact the health and well-being of your clients every single day; it’s your specialty. Does your ethos of wellness extend to our planet? To read the blog, click here. Published on April 18, 2023 by Avril Kealy Ready to grow your business with sustainability in mind? Click here to book your free, no-obligation Phorest Salon Software demo!

A few years ago, online marketplaces seemed like the perfect solution for busy salon, spa, and clinic owners. They offered more visibility, easier bookings, and a steady stream of new clients – what wasn’t to love? But in 2025, something has changed. Today’s most successful salons, spas, and clinics aren’t chasing short-term bookings. They’re building long-term relationships. They’re investing in loyalty, branded experiences, and client journeys they control, from start to finish. This isn’t just a shift in strategy; it’s a shift in mindset. To read the blog, click here. Published on May 16, 2025 by Steph Fernandez Ready to grow your business without relying on marketplaces? Click here to book your free, no-obligation Phorest Salon Software demo!

In every salon, spa, or clinic, there’s a quiet kind of magic happening every day. It’s in the way a stylist helps someone see themselves with new confidence. In the care a therapist shows to a client who needs a moment to breathe. And in the dedication it takes to keep showing up – with energy, creativity, and heart. On Hairdresser Appreciation Day this year, we wanted to go beyond “thank you”. We reached out to the incredible professionals in the Phorest community to ask: What keeps your team passionate about what they do? And who, on your team, deserves to be recognised for it? The answers were full of humanity. Today, we’re sharing their stories – the big and small moments that drive this industry forward and remind us all why this work truly matters. To read the blog, click here. Published on April 30, 2025 by Steph Fernandez Ready to build a team that stays inspired, performs at their best, and feels truly appreciated? Click here to book your free, no-obligation demo!

With the announcement of the UK’s Spring Statement, it seems that the professional hair and beauty industry continues to suffer at the hands of the Government. Change needs to happen. And fast. This growing crisis in the industry is largely caused by the Government’s unfair two-tier tax system, which forces local salons to pay 3X the amount of taxes that other businesses on the high street pay. These crippling conditions are threatening the livelihood of 90,000 hairdressers, barbers, and beauty professionals across the United Kingdom. Sign the Save Our Salons petition here. To read the blog, click here. Published on March 27, 2025 by Avril Kealy

At the intersection of love and people is the human need for connection. Between people and marketing, the human longing to feel recognised and engaged in ways that matter. And where marketing and love meet, we find authentic expression and real stories. But there’s something really quite special at the intersection of a “love for love”, people and marketing. If you recognise yourself in that, like Kati Whitledge, you likely have an innate (or developed), profound understanding of the art of matchmaking. Marketing guru, podcaster, and the founder of mya, Kati’s core message at the Salon Owners Summit 2025 was clear: marketing is the key to business success—and it works just like dating and marriage. These insights stem from her refreshing talk, emphasizing the emotional connection behind consumer decisions and how salons can leverage this understanding to build lasting relationships with clients. To read the blog, click here. Published on March 9, 2025 by Alex Bélisle-Springer Keep learning from the experts, and click here to read more of the 2025 Salon Owners Summit Recaps.

Great marketing isn’t just about creativity. It’s about strategy, consistency, and execution. However, as all busy salon, clinic, and spa owners know, when you're juggling clients, managing a team, and running a business, finding the time to market can feel impossible. That’s why Phorest created its wide array of marketing tools for the professional hair and beauty industry. From helping you plan and execute a marketing strategy to providing high-quality templates, these are the Phorest features that make planning, implementing, and sticking to your marketing plan easier. Subject to regional availability of Phorest features. To read the blog, click here. Published on April 8, 2025 by Avril Kealy Click here to sign up for On Behalf Marketing for your salon, spa, or clinic (it's free, though you must be a Phorest client).

Data has the power to transform your business, but only if it’s meaningful. In one of the most anticipated sessions of the Salon Owners Summit, Paddy Monaghan (Chief Product Officer), Nuala Maguire (Lead Data Analyst), and Niamh Greaney (Director of Customer Success, UK & Ireland) took the stage to demonstrate how real industry data can be transformed into actionable insights to help businesses grow. To read the blog, click here. Published on March 9, 2025 by Sorcha Mullis Keep learning from the experts, and click here to read more of the 2025 Salon Owners Summit Recaps.

At this year’s Salon Owners Summit, Peigin Crowley, Founder of GROUND Wellbeing, took the stage to share her deeply personal journey of building a purpose-driven brand while confronting the realities of burnout. Her insights served as a powerful reminder that success isn’t just about capability—it’s about capacity. To read the blog, click here. Published on March 9, 2025 by Sorcha Mullis Keep learning from the experts, and click here to read more of the 2025 Salon Owners Summit Recaps.

What if running a medspa aesthetic clinic could be smoother, smarter, and more efficient than ever? In their Salon Owners Summit session, Aoife Hannigan, Director of Engineering, and Verna Wall, Head of Research at Phorest, showcased how Phorest is revolutionising medspa and aesthetic clinic operations through AI, automation and workflow optimisation. To read the blog, click here. Published on March 9, 2025 by Steph Fernandez Keep learning from the experts, and click here to read more of the 2025 Salon Owners Summit Recaps.

Taking to the stage on Day 2 of the Salon Owners Summit, Aine Solon knew she was speaking to an audience that was all too familiar with the challenges of hiring and retaining staff. Having worked in recruitment for over a decade and having been a hairstylist herself, she understands the struggle. Her workshop gave salon, clinic, and spa owners a practical framework to make hiring easier and more effective. To read the blog, click here. Published on March 9, 2025 by Aine Solon Keep learning from the experts, and click here to read more of the 2025 Salon Owners Summit Recaps.

Did you know that people are 11X more likely to go on a shopping trip when they get paid? Payday is one of the best times of the month to ramp up your marketing efforts and encourage clients to book a treatment or service in your salon, clinic, or spa. This can be especially advantageous during the quieter months of the year. For it to work, you must ensure your salon stays top-of-mind for clients so that when they're ready to spend that bit extra, and you reach out, it's a no-brainer. Don’t overlook the revenue potential of payday marketing campaigns! Explore 4 easy strategies you can implement immediately. To read the blog, click here. Published on September 19, 2023 by Gregory Twohig Learn how to reach clients, boost revenue and grow your business with SMS marketing. Download The Salon Owners Guide to SMS Marketing!