Salon Owners
Welcome
Our experts bring a wealth of knowledge in salon business ownership and education. We provide you with the tools and creative platform of collaboration and unity between commissioned-based and open-concept salon owners to help inspire a sustainable future for us all.
Our Experts
Brandy Thorpe, Salon Manager & Director of Education
Brandy Thorpe, Salon Manager & Director of Education
Brandy Thorpe, Salon Manager & Director of Education
Brandy remembers visiting her mom in the salon she managed, which didn't take long for her to realize the beauty industry was in her blood. After finishing cosmetology school, Brandy found herself in a struggling salon and quickly stepped into management. Doing her best to make strides in her new position, she found her efforts short-live
Brandy remembers visiting her mom in the salon she managed, which didn't take long for her to realize the beauty industry was in her blood. After finishing cosmetology school, Brandy found herself in a struggling salon and quickly stepped into management. Doing her best to make strides in her new position, she found her efforts short-lived when the owner sold her salon. Brandy tried to protect her team the best she could but soon realized it was out of her control. A series of events led Brandy and her mother, Kelley Swing, to open Head Case Hair Studio in TX.
Their dream was to build a place where employees felt supported and appreciated while protecting the planet and its inhabitants.
When her mother became a NATULIQUE Certified Organic Beauty for Texas distributor, Brandy grew in new areas of expertise as Director of Education. Brandy has taken the lessons she has learned over the years, turned them into tools, and shared them with her peers to inspire change for a more sustainable future.
Kelley Swing, Founder & Salon Business Coach
Brandy Thorpe, Salon Manager & Director of Education
Brandy Thorpe, Salon Manager & Director of Education
After suffering from a long list of health problems stemming from a decade of corporate salon management, Kelley was struck by the lack of salons practicing sustainable beauty in Texas. Upon this revelation in 2016, Head Case was born, as was the desire to share her newfound knowledge: that sustainable beauty is not only possible but that
After suffering from a long list of health problems stemming from a decade of corporate salon management, Kelley was struck by the lack of salons practicing sustainable beauty in Texas. Upon this revelation in 2016, Head Case was born, as was the desire to share her newfound knowledge: that sustainable beauty is not only possible but that creating a healthy work environment where salon professionals are encouraged to grow both personally and professionally is a must. Early frustrations with salon distribution companies led her to launch a sustainable-based distribution company in 2017. Kelley believes as a salon owner; her responsibility is to her team, who have trusted their lives and families to her care. Her passion grew to serve her fellow salon owners with the support she craved, all while sharing her knowledge to create a sustainable future for us all.
Angela Miller, Director & Salon Business Coach
Brandy Thorpe, Salon Manager & Director of Education
Angela Miller, Director & Salon Business Coach
Angela Miller has been a licensed cosmetologist for 27 years with an extensive focus on technical and business training by Redk
en, Lanza, and Luis Alverez, owner of Aquage.
She began her first salon and Spa ownership experience in 2002 at the Hotel Intercontinental in Dallas.
After several successful years, she put her family first and t
Angela Miller has been a licensed cosmetologist for 27 years with an extensive focus on technical and business training by Redk
en, Lanza, and Luis Alverez, owner of Aquage.
She began her first salon and Spa ownership experience in 2002 at the Hotel Intercontinental in Dallas.
After several successful years, she put her family first and took a step back from ownership to pursue teaching a Master Instructor/Educator program. Angela continued her education with a focus on leadership and personal growth, by attending the course Pathways, by Dr. Phil.
Angela became a single mother and redirected her career with more flexibility by creating a bridal team. In 2012, Angela's team participated in many Bridal Shows across the North Dallas area, including working with local celebrities and producing the runway at the Fleur De Lis Bridal Show.
The City of Addison took notice after an Addison Bridal Show event, leading to a bridal segment on WFFA Channel 8 sponsored by the city. Angela then took her team to the third largest Bridal Show in the nation - The Dallas Bridal Show - where she met with the owner to propose an exclusive runway event and 500sq ft booth in the middle of the show. Partnering with Armstrong McAll distribution and Aquage allowed Angela to become a Producer for two choreographed shows back-to-back for two days with 16 models and two dress companies while running an extensive booth with demos.
As she was only working out of a suite and traveling with her team for bridals, she knew a salon location was next, so she started another mobile business - custom airbrush spray tanning - which could feasibly fund a salon. A few months later, she leased a two-story historic building in Old Town Lewisville and opened her second salon.
North Texas Brides Magazine featured a 6-page layout of the salon's bridal work. Training with Dina, the creator of Dinair Air Brush Makeup, led to People Magazine articles and local and national TV coverage.
The salon team participated in an underprivileged teen event with the cast of "Say Yes to the Prom," as well as numerous designers and sponsors for the runway show. The salon exclusively provided airbrush makeup services to executives from the Discovery Channel.
Continuing her education with Summit Salon Business Center and hiring a coach led to a 20% increase each year. Multiple coaching experiences over the next ten years led to an interest in becoming a certified Business Coach. Continued business education and implementing more sustainable practices allowed her to double the business in the first 90 days of 2021, ultimately growing revenues by more than $70,000 that year.
Sponsoring two winning Mrs. USA's back-to-back, Angela experienced one of her contestant's platform partnerships with Keep America Beautiful. Supporting this title holder at a National Level, Angela believed the salon needed to be more sustainable. Implementing Vish inventory and waste management and focusing on less waste and carbon footprint became a priority.
After mentoring many stylists toward financial success and seeing firsthand how a sustainable salon and business coaching could change the trajectory of a salon, Angela graduated from salon ownership in hopes of significantly impacting the salon industry in a new direction.
After meeting Kelley Swing and seeing firsthand the sustainable practices at her businesses, Head Case Hair Studio, Innovative Beauty Distributors, and Head Case Salon Business Coaching, Angela has decided to join Kelley's team.
As the Director of the Head Case Business Coaching Program, they hope to change the landscape of the Salon Industry by marrying sound business practices with sustainability.
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Sustainable Company Partners
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