Professional Resources
The Armstrong McCall family consists of our closely knit stylist community and a team of professionals who work hard to bring you solutions to your clients’ needs. The information below will guide you through some important points to ponder when considering your success in the industry.

> Business building resources
> Problem/solution oriented products
> Salon 101
> Salon furnishings and equipment
> Retailing: Beyond the service
> Education and earning CEUs
> Beauty industry shows
Multi-channel shopping
Armstrong McCall is the largest distributor of salon professional brands in North America. As such we offer multiple ways our customers can engage with us:
- Over 1,100 stores across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico
- Online shopping with over 150 brands and 27,000 products across all categories and so much more
- Salon consultants who assist busy salon owners with promotional planning, retail sales, new brands and innovative service-related recommendations
- Finally, get inspired and engage with other stylists on our social channels:
- Promotional planning
- Retailing
- Salon service planning
- Salon design and equipment
- Barbering
- Trends and techniques for the latest hair and nail styles
- Brand based planning and ideas
- Online video-based learning
- Online classes for continuing education units (CEUs) for credit
- Show-based classes
- In-store classes (over 200 locations)
- In-salon learning customized for your team
- Manufacturer educator training
Business building resources
Owning a salon is challenging and rewarding. Within our Blog we have published several business building articles with a range of topics to help you maximize your business.
Problem/solution oriented products
We all want to leave the salon looking and feeling our best. Individual needs differ and can exceed routine maintenance. As a salon professional, your ability to assess and address problems requires technical skills, listening skills and the right products. Armstrong McCall have a huge assortment of solution-oriented products formulated to help solve the most common dilemmas. A few examples include:
Problem: Thinning Hair. Suggest products that create a healthy environment for hair growth; Concealers to help mask hair loss; Hair Fibers; Color with gray coverage
Problem: Managing Texture. Smoothing systems; keratin; humidity resistant styling; preventing breakage
Salon 101
If your goal is to own your own business, there are some differences to each salon ownership scenario. Understanding your obligations will help you be prepared for your responsibilities. Here are a few:
|
Owning your own branded salon business (strip center) |
Operating a franchised chain salon |
Salon Suite Operator in tenant/multi-suite building |
Upfront costs |
$$$$ |
$$$$$ |
$$-$$$ |
Property and common area maintenance fees (CAMs) |
x |
x |
May be rolled into |
Staffing / |
x |
x |
Optional |
Brand assortment |
Your choice |
Owner guided |
Your choice |
Retailing take-home product |
Your choice |
Owner guided |
Your choice |
Marketing |
x |
Owner guided/funded |
Your choice |
Supplies |
x |
x |
x |
Branding |
Your choice |
Owner guided |
Your choice |
Scheduling |
x |
x |
x |
Hours |
May be subject to shopping center regulations |
Owner guided |
Flexible |
Equipment/furnishings |
x |
x |
x |
Deliveries |
Backdoor receiving |
Backdoor receiving |
If closed, |
Cleaning Crew |
x |
x |
Self |
The above is a general overview of the commitments for each scenario. Owners must also understand state, city and local requirements around safety compliance, insurance, fair business practices, and the like. All of these responsibilities can translate into fees. Know your responsibilities and budget accordingly.
Salon furnishings and equipment
Creating an inviting atmosphere is important for client comfort. Lighting, reception, music and color are important elements, and when your clients are in the chair you need workstations that facilitate privacy, comfort, relaxation and service ease.
Our salon design consultants are trained to help you assess the needs of your business based on your service types. Choose from thousands of items in all equipment categories, with good-better-best concepts that appeal to both budget conscious salon operators and those ready to upgrade to higher end design. Whatever your choices we will guide you through the process for a result that is personalized and invites clients back again.
Our goal is to provide customers with a one-stop shopping experience from a name they can trust. With a long-standing track record of providing quality products and service, our program continues to set the standard in the industry. Browse industry-leading brands in the equipment category with warranties and fast delivery.
Some of our partner brands: Pibbs, Puresana, Modern Elements, Footsie Bath, Belvedere, Collins, Kayline just to name a few! Lease Financing programs are available to help you create the salon of your dreams.
For space planning assistance, please contact a Salon Design Consultant today. Call (800) 362-3186, Option 3 or email us at salondesigncenter@cosmoprofbeauty.com.
Retailing: Beyond the service
There are several ideas for salons to maximize its investment in products. Offering take-home products that aligns with the services offered in your salon can increase revenue nicely. Consider also that if clients are purchasing retail products from you we are keeping them away from diverters and counterfeits.
Attractive displays with a broad assortment offered at the point of purchase encourage your clients to browse retail items where it’s most convenient. Let them smell and sample product for maximum exposure. Make sure to tell your clients what products were used during their service and offer the same in a retail sizes so your clients can continue enjoying them at home.
Tip for recommending products to your clients:
Browse the Blog for additional in depth articles related to how Retailing can help your clients look good until they see you again.
Education and earning CEUs
Learning is rewarding and will help you sharpen your skills and learn new ones. Your state may also require additional credits when you renew your license. Armstrong McCall offers several options for learning:
Connect with our Education team today for more information on how to take advantage of any of these options.
Email: Education@cosmoprofbeauty.com
Coming 2018: Extensive online course library with online enrollment and tracking!
Beauty industry shows
Armstrong McCall hosts shows in multiple cities across the United States. Manufacturers across all categories have a larger than life show presence. Their product teams demonstrate new products, and platform artists inspire attendees by demonstrating techniques for the latest color and style trends.
Click image for additional details or locate a show near you.

