Part of the Greater Toronto beauty scene for nearly four decades, Venere Salon has earned a reputation as an industry leader and prestige brand.  

At the helm are brothers Nick, Ermanno, and Maurice Venere. They uphold a family legacy that includes the entrepreneurial efforts of their father, Giosué, and their uncle, Tonino, and the hairdressing career of their grandfather, Nicola Venere, in Limosano, Italy.  

Being innovative is a family trait. Nicola invested in state-of-the art salon equipment in his time. Fast forward to the 21st century, with the Venere brothers choosing Zenoti software to keep their salons cutting-edge. In fact, Ermanno considers the platform essential for operational efficiency and business growth.

The Zenoti platform has also improved convenience for Venere clientele who visit the salon for all things hair, including cuts and blowouts, color services, retexturizing, and extensions.

Venere Salon’s approach gives customers and staff the chance to express their personal style, all while promoting healthy hair in a relaxed and comfortable environment. The brand’s salon academy, mentorship program, and educational seminars help the team stay sharp.

Digital convenience and better personalization

The online booking system from Zenoti makes scheduling appointments a breeze for Venere clients while also giving them a personalized experience. When guests schedule their main appointments online, the system automatically suggests add-on services, with a choice of related treatments they can book ahead of time. “The online booking features have allowed us to upsell services very, very easily,” says Ermanno Venere.  

With marketing notifications centralized for all three Venere locations, guests are not overwhelmed with messages. “There are clients who go back and forth between the different salons,” says Ermanno. “With Zenoti, they don’t get reminded three times for the same thing.”

The centralization also extends to business management, with Zenoti unifying payroll for the Oakville, Burlington, and Milton locations, saving staff hours of administrative work each month.

Giving the team control of their time

Venere stylists can manage their workday from the palm of their hand using the MyZen mobile app from Zenoti. “They can take a look at their schedules well in advance,” says Ermanno who considers staff autonomy key to maintaining the salon’s relaxed vibe. Similarly, access to guest notes through the mobile app helps stylists stay on top of service preparation.

The app facilitates easy rebooking, too, helping stylists schedule a guest’s next appointment at the close of the current one. Taken together, these technology enhancements lower stress for staff and improve their efficiency.

Referrals reinvented

Guest acquisition is key to salon profitability, and Ermanno relies on the digital referral program from Zenoti to attract new clients. Current clients can easily refer friends and family from their mobile phones – a far cry from paper-based referral programs that are a hassle for salons to implement, manage, and quantify.

As for guest retention, the marketing capabilities of Zenoti are working “exceptionally well” to keep clients coming back, says Ermanno. The system tracks every client’s purchase and visit history to tailor promotional messages and product recommendations to match.

Fostering human connection

The Venere brothers remain involved in running the salons, making themselves available to inspire and mentor the team. Their hands-on approach fosters a vibrant and engaged work environment.  

“Although we have managers for certain aspects,” says Ermanno, “it’s important that we’re there, and we connect to our staff members.”  

That warm family culture along with updated technology keeps the legacy brand poised for lustrous growth and continued success.

Explore the benefits of using Zenoti software for salon management.