Mitchell Wherley is the Owner of Spalon Montage, a luxury salon and spa brand that has dominated the Minneapolis-Saint Paul market for nearly 34 years. With a unique background spanning design, film, and hospitality, including years working with iconic entertainment figures, Mitchell brought an artist’s perspective to the wellness industry, transforming a struggling salon into a thriving multi-location business with nearly 400 team members. Known for his expertise in experiential retail, team culture development, and customer service excellence, Mitchell has built Spalon Montage into an award-winning brand recognized for legendary technical services and high-touch guest experiences.

Luca Boccia is the Co-Founder of Pyure Salons and a senior commercial and financial leader with nearly 50 years of experience spanning salon operations, business transformation, and executive finance. After owning and operating his own salon for 25 years, Luca built Pyure Salons on a benefits-driven, people-first model designed to deliver long-term profitability, retention, and exceptional guest experience. Alongside his work in the salon industry, Luca serves as a Fractional CFO for growth-stage and established businesses, including Gravity Industries, BookMyGarage, and Fractional Execs Ltd, supporting leadership teams across strategy, financial performance, governance, and scale. His background includes multinational and mid-sized businesses across technology, retail, consumer goods, and private equity-backed environments.

Dr Shannon Gallegos is the CEO and Founder of B12 LOVE, a functional medicine and longevity wellness brand operating nearly nine locations across the Bay Area. With a background as a midwife and naturopathic doctor, Dr Shannon specializes in nutrient therapies, IV treatments, and proactive medicine. Armando Gallegos is the COO and Co-founder of B12 LOVE, bringing a strategic digital marketing and sales background to the business. With expertise in scaling service-based businesses, Armando has been instrumental in transforming B12 LOVE from a single medical practice into a multi-location wellness brand through targeted marketing, operational systems, and strategic real estate decisions

Alice Sagnier and Bridget Healy are the Co-founders of EverySkin Clinic, a rapidly growing skincare and aesthetics business in London, revolutionizing accessible, inclusive skincare. With complementary backgrounds in consulting, private equity operations, and retail consumer businesses, they launched EverySkin in 2021 and have successfully expanded to seven locations. Alice, previously with Fortnum & Mason, brings vast brand-building expertise, while Bridget’s experience with Australian med spa chains provides deep operational knowledge. Together, they’ve created a unique business model offering premium skincare treatments at affordable prices, with a focus on inclusivity across all skin types and tones.

Alexandria Grado is the Founder and CEO of The Glam House, a rapidly expanding beauty sanctuary with multiple locations across Colorado. Starting from her basement in 2016, she has grown the business into four thriving locations offering comprehensive beauty services, including hair, nails, lashes, skin treatments, and more. Known for fostering a culture of confidence and transformation, Alexandria has built a distinctive brand that emphasizes both technical excellence and emotional connection with clients.

Vikram Bhatt is the Founder of Enrich Salons, one of India’s largest and most successful salon chains with over 115 company-owned locations. With a background in corporate finance and an MBA, Vikram transformed from an “accidental entrepreneur” helping a friend into a visionary who revolutionized the Indian salon industry. Under his leadership, Enrich has grown to serve 1.4 million customers annually through 2200 team members, while maintaining a corporate-owned model that ensures consistent service quality.

Smita Vallurupalli and Shashank Kancharla, founders of Bubbles Hair & Beauty and Old School Rituals, have redefined India’s luxury salon experience. With over two decades of leadership, Smita drives brand innovation while Shashank streamlines operations. Their journey from one salon to a multi-location empire reflects their vision to blend traditional beauty rituals with modern luxury.

Sahil Gupta is the CEO of Bodycraft Salon Spa and Clinic, a leading beauty, dermatology, and wellness chain in India, which has expanded to over 25 locations under his leadership. With a background in civil engineering and consulting at Ernst & Young, Sahil transformed his mother’s small herbal beauty clinic into a comprehensive luxury wellness destination offering salon services, skin treatments, and medical aesthetics. Since taking over the family business, he has pioneered an innovative business model that combines high-end salon experiences with medical spa services, while building a successful membership program that generates 60% of the revenue.

Aaron Meyers is the CEO of Hammer & Nails Grooming Shop for Guys, a fast-growing men’s grooming franchise that has transformed the traditional barbershop experience. With over 20 years of executive leadership at FedEx and significant experience scaling Massage Envy to 1200+ locations, Aaron brings deep expertise in operations, franchising, and membership-based business models. Under his leadership, Hammer and Nails has expanded to over 50 locations with ambitious plans to reach 1000 units, pioneering a unique men’s grooming concept that combines luxury services with a rigorous membership engine.

Nicci Levy is the Founder and CEO of Alchemy 43, a pioneering aesthetic wellness brand transforming the medical spa experience. With a rich background in beauty and aesthetics, including roles at MAC Cosmetics, Calvin Klein Beauty, and Allergan, Nicci identified a gap in the cosmetic injectables market for a more approachable, lifestyle-focused experience.

Starting with just $7,000 in funding in 2016, she has grown Alchemy 43 from a single Beverly Hills location to nine studios across six markets, building a national brand known for its focus on micro-treatments and exceptional customer experience. Her innovative approach to combining clinical excellence with lifestyle branding has disrupted the medical aesthetics industry, while her membership model has proven highly successful, with over 70% of revenue coming from members.

Tommy Nielsen is the CEO and Partner at Rodeo, one of Denmark’s fastest-growing salon brands. With no hairdressing background, Tommy brought an auditor’s precision and an entrepreneur’s mindset to Rodeo, helping turn it from a scrappy startup into a respected brand with 11 salons, 100+ employees, and one of the most successful salon membership programs in the world.

Jason Yeats is the Co-founder of G.O.A.T. Haircuts & Athletic Spa, an innovative men’s grooming brand that has revolutionized the traditional barbershop experience across Arizona and Utah. With a background in systems and process optimization, he has successfully scaled the business to 20 haircut locations and two med spas, pioneering a unique membership-based model that has transformed customer loyalty and staff retention in the industry.

Lynn Heublein is the Co-Founder and CEO of SkinSpirit, the nation’s leading provider of Botox and fillers with over 50 locations. With a background in consumer marketing at Procter & Gamble and Silicon Valley tech entrepreneurship, Lynn pioneered the medical spa concept in 2003 before it became an industry trend. Starting with a single clinic and a $600,000 SBA loan, she has grown SkinSpirit into a national brand backed by firms like GreyLion and KKR.

Lucan Salem is the Managing Director of HARI’s Hair and Beauty Salon, a prestigious London-based salon brand founded by his father Harry in 1976. With a background in chemistry, business management, and chartered accountancy at PwC, Lucan brought his corporate expertise to revolutionize the family business. Under his leadership, HARI’s has expanded to five luxury locations across London while maintaining its reputation for excellence in personalized service and staff development.

Marilyne Gagné is the Founder of Dermapure, Canada’s largest network of premium aesthetic clinics, which she grew from a single location to over 70+ clinics, generating $200 million in revenue. With a background in business and marketing, she revolutionized the medical aesthetics industry by creating an integrated approach that combines clinical excellence with exceptional business operations. Known for pioneering the concept of “positive aging” and building a patient-centric culture, Marilyne led Dermapure to become the first aesthetic clinic network to receive investment from L’Oréal.

Shabana Karim is the founder and driving force behind House of Enspa, a multi-brand beauty powerhouse in the UAE. Starting with The Nail Spa in 2002, she transformed her vision for elevated beauty services into a thriving enterprise encompassing nearly 20 luxury locations and over 500 professionals across brands, including Marquee, Ardpar, and Espai. With a background in education and an innate entrepreneurial spirit, Shabana revolutionized the UAE’s beauty industry by establishing the region’s first dedicated spa for hands and feet, setting new benchmarks for customer service excellence and operational standards.

Matt is the Co-founder and CEO of Silver Mirror Facial Bar, a pioneering facial services company revolutionizing the skincare industry. With an unconventional background transitioning from the music industry and armed with a Wharton MBA, Matt identified an opportunity to make high-quality facials more accessible, efficient, and results-driven. Since launching in 2015, he has grown Silver Mirror from a single New York location to ten stores across multiple markets, introducing innovative concepts like AI-powered skin analysis and a successful membership model.

Arpit Goel is the CEO and Director of Berkowits Hair & Skin Clinic. Under his leadership, Berkowits has evolved from a single clinic to one of India’s most recognized and respected aesthetic clinic chains. Known for pioneering treatments and cutting-edge innovations, Arpit blends medical expertise with a deep understanding of consumer needs to make skincare and haircare more accessible and results-driven.

Shane Evans is the Co-founder and CEO of Heights Wellness Retreat (formerly Massage Heights). Launching the brand in 2004 after a personal experience with chronic pain, Shane transformed a gap in the wellness industry into a fast-growing franchise model. Her leadership over two decades has seen Massage Heights grow to 115+ locations across North America. With a background in fitness and customer service, Shane is a passionate advocate for holistic health, accessible self-care, and purpose-led entrepreneurship. She’s a pioneer in membership-based wellness, and an inspiration to founders building brands from the heart.

Vanessa Yakobson is the powerhouse CEO behind Blo Blow Dry Bar, North America’s original and largest blow dry bar franchise. When she joined the company in 2009, Blo had just four locations. Under her leadership, it exploded to over 100+ bars across North America. With a background in business, finance, and entrepreneurship, Vanessa blends operational rigor with an instinct for brand storytelling and culture-building. Her leadership journey reflects resilience, bold thinking, and a deep belief in empowering women—both guests and the professionals behind the chair.

Dave Mortensen is the Co-Founder of Anytime Fitness and Purpose Brands (previously Self Esteem Brands), overseeing 5,500+ locations in 50+ countries. With decades of experience in franchising, leadership, and brand-building, he has been instrumental in revolutionizing the fitness industry with a people-first approach. He co-authored Love Work, a book on fostering purpose-driven organizations. A passionate advocate for culture-driven growth, Dave believes success comes from aligning People, Purpose, Profits, and Play—a philosophy that continues to guide his ventures.

Kyla Dufresne is the founder and CEO of Foxy Box Wax and Laser Bar, a rapidly growing beauty brand specializing in waxing and laser hair removal. Starting her entrepreneurial journey from the dining room of a shared house, Kyla transformed a niche beauty service into a thriving franchise with 18 locations across Canada and plans to expand into the U.S. With a bold, community-driven approach and an unshakable entrepreneurial spirit, she has built a brand that prioritizes empowerment, inclusivity, and exceptional service.

Lauren Vesler & Manda Mason are the co-founders of The W Nail Bar, a fast-growing, eco-conscious nail salon brand that’s redefining the beauty industry. With a mission to create a clean, safe, and welcoming space for both customers and employees, they built a business rooted in sustainability, quality service, and a deep sense of community. Their journey from a single salon to a thriving brand is a testament to their entrepreneurial spirit, customer-first mindset, and commitment to ethical beauty.

Molly Lyons is the founder of Oasis Face Bar, a pioneering skincare franchise redefining the spa experience. A former finance professional turned esthetician, Molly’s passion for accessible, high-quality skincare led her to create an open-concept facial bar in 2018. Her brand’s innovative approach has grown to 17+ locations, and through franchising, she’s helping other women achieve their entrepreneurial dreams.

Michael and Danielle Petro, founders of MD Esthetics, combine expertise in medicine, engineering, and business to create transformative patient experiences. Michael, a board-certified anesthesiologist, and Daniella, an operations specialist, built their brand with a focus on innovation, natural results, and personalized care. Together, they have scaled MD Esthetics into a trusted medspa brand while staying true to their core values of collaboration and excellence.

Kyle Jones is the visionary CEO and co-founder of iCRYO, a leading wellness brand revolutionizing health and recovery. With a passion for entrepreneurship and a dedication to improving lives, Kyle has steered iCRYO’s rapid transformation from a single idea into a thriving global brand. Under his leadership, iCRYO has become a game-changer in the industry, offering cutting-edge cryotherapy and holistic wellness solutions. Known for his servant leadership style, Kyle empowers his team to innovate while remaining focused on the company’s mission to elevate the healthspan of communities worldwide.

Ben Crosbie is a seasoned entrepreneur and the CEO of THE DRIPBaR, the industry leader in innovative IV therapy franchising. Backed by decades of experience in fitness and franchising, Ben took the helm of THE DRIPBaR in 2022 and spearheaded its explosive growth from 5 locations to over 100 in just two years. With a bold vision to expand to 1,500+ locations globally, Ben combines his expertise and passion for wellness to drive innovation and empower franchisees, ensuring THE DRIPBaR stays ahead of the curve. Under his leadership, the company continues to redefine the future of wellness, one drip at a time.

Jayson Rapaport is the co-founder of Birds Barbershop, a renowned barbershop chain based in Austin, Texas. Originally from Texas, Jayson pursued his education on the East Coast and lived in New York before returning to his home state. With a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to community and employee satisfaction, Jayson has successfully built Birds Barbershop into a beloved local brand and a Texas institution.

Jo Kelton, COO of Removery, brings vast healthcare experience and a proven ability to scale businesses. With a background in physical therapy and leading dental consolidations, she has helped grow Removery to over 150 locations globally. Jo’s visionary leadership drives innovation, from launching the Removery Academy to championing social initiatives like free tattoo removal for those in need, making a lasting impact in the tattoo removal industry.

Anthony Tjan is the Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of MiniLuxe, a groundbreaking leader in the beauty services industry. With a mission to empower employees and elevate industry standards, Anthony has championed fair wages, team equity, and a purpose-driven approach to business. Through his innovative leadership, MiniLuxe has redefined traditional practices, blending technology with heart to create a culture of transformation and inclusivity.

As the proud owner of Face to Face Spa, a premier destination for skincare treatments and beauty services, Jenny Abraham brings a deep passion for aesthetics and a commitment to client satisfaction. She has built a reputation for providing personalized care that leaves clients feeling rejuvenated and confident. Face to Face Spa was founded in 2011, and Jenny later went on to trademark and franchise the concept in 2015 in efforts to expand her business model with like-minded entrepreneurs who share the same passion for skincare.

Jenny began her journey in the beauty industry as a wound care nurse. Utilizing science and evidence-based practice, she witnessed the power of skincare to transform not just one’s appearance, but also one’s self-esteem. She regularly attends industry seminars and training to keep her skills sharp and her services top-notch.

Her commitment to excellence, combined with her genuine care for her clients, makes Face to Face Spa a trusted and beloved name in the beauty community.

Rachel Liverman’s journey in the beauty industry is one built on generations of expertise. As a third-generation aesthetician, Rachel’s passion for skincare runs deep. Her grandmother, a true pioneer, founded the Katherine Heinz Institute of Aesthetics, shaping professional skincare as we know it today.

Before launching her own business, Rachel spent over a decade growing in the beauty industry. But just nine months into her entrepreneurial journey, the COVID pandemic forced her to shut down operations. Despite this challenge, Rachel adapted, transforming her business into a trendsetting success.

Her business model centers on providing customized 30-minute facials, delivered by expert aestheticians. It’s a story of resilience, innovation, and crafting a service that fits the fast-paced lives of modern clients.

Van Council’s story began more than fifty years ago, inspired by a moment in 1975 when the movie Shampoo, starring Warren Beatty as a hairdresser, took the world by storm. A young man in Atlanta, captivated by the beauty and style trends of the film, decided to follow his passion. This led Van to enroll in cosmetology school, where his talent quickly became evident. Over time, he earned accolades such as North America’s Hairdresser of the Year and Aveda Global Hair Master.

In 1984, Van and his brother founded the Van Michael Salon. What began as a single salon has since grown into a beauty empire with over nine locations in Atlanta and a thriving partnership in Japan, with more than 40 licensed outlets. The salon’s success is not only marked by its growth but also by the loyalty of its team. Over 100 employees have been with the company for more than ten years, and some have dedicated more than 30 years to the Van Michael family.

Van Council’s journey is a testament to his dedication to the craft and his ability to inspire those around him. His legacy continues to shape the beauty industry both in North America and globally.

When Alissa Bayer launched milk + honey as a spa in 2006, she had clear founding principles: to create an exceptional spa experience, commit to hyperclean ingredients, enrich the lives of employees, and give back to the community. The brand has since expanded to seven locations, as well as a line of bath, body, home, and skincare products.

Alissa leads a team of talented milk + honey estheticians, massage therapists, and stylists who help to shape and create the products, providing crucial feedback and real-world experience throughout the development of the product line.