Since 1994 Strategies has had one goal: to help businesses operate more efficiently and profitably. We've worked with business owners and their teams to create stories of success, balancing prosperity with a happy work environment and excited customers. Our passion lies in fueling your knowledge and understanding of new ways to conduct business — and we do so through a richly intertwined network of seminars, on-site/phone coaching services, webinars and more.
Strategies's Bio
Lisa Cochran
Lisa Cochran, salon director of The Studio, an Aveda Lifestyle Salon in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, said that in every childhood photo she either has a brush or comb in hand or is playing with a hood dryer! Her early love of the industry was formed by visiting a salon with her mother. The family dealt with the devastating loss of two children, and Lisa said that going to the salon was a refuge.
“Miss Linda would give me a brush and a mannequin. I saw her care for my mom, and I saw her change just being there. I saw it as a ministry. There was such a sense of community. People would laugh; they would cry. I saw so much love,” said Lisa. “I saw it was more than hair; it was the way they touched the individual.” Lisa has had her license for 26 years and has been a salon owner for 15. She says that she has a “direct approach” when dealing with staff. “My friends describe me that I tell you not what you want to hear; I tell you what you need to hear. I am Southern and have a very sweet way, until we need to get into action, then I’m very strong when I have to be, very direct, but always with compassion. I look for strengths in individuals to get the best; I always challenge my staff,” she said. “Strategies has been helping me develop systems, including how to drive sales and how to drive relationships within the company. Strategies teaches the road that’s less traveled. Strategies teaches the owner to get in the driver’s seat. We have to be driving our companies. You can’t rely on instinct. You have to rely on systems to survive,” Lisa believes. “I want to show people if my company could turn around, theirs certainly could. I want to offer solutions and hope, I want to see others find joy and passion about the industry and create change in their lives.” Added Lisa, “People can bare their souls to me about their business and there will be no judgment from me or from Strategies. This is a safe place. There are plans out there to help them, to turn companies around.”
Bonnie Conte
“The beauty industry significantly impacts people’s lives for the better. We are memory makers. We give our guests confidence to look their best, to restore a sense of well-being. Our industry rocks because each workday I get to surround myself with inspired employees that nurture our guests,” said Bonnie Conte, salon director/co-owner, Avalon Salon and Day Spa, Deer Park, Illinois, which she’s owned for five years.
Bonnie joined the beauty industry nine years ago after serving as social director for a prestigious country club, where she created events for high-profile members. “I believe in Strategies’ methods because I have lived the results. Before we made the change, I had 50 employees and found myself stuck in a pay system that made no sense. Some of the hardest-working staff members were exhausted and could only get ‘a raise’ by working more hours or charging higher prices. New talent didn’t have a sense of urgency and waited for the front desk to book them. There were inconsistencies in the delivery of our services, attendance, etc. ‘It’s not my job’ was a common response when asked to help with needed tasks. With every Strategies system implemented, our team has been more engaged and happy - the results are high employee retention and increased revenues,” said Bonnie. “Employees have a strong sense of direction, and communication flow is continuous. Individual energy is channeled toward team success. Guests appreciate our inspired staff! Personally, I have a much better balance with home and work life now since everyone is working cohesively. I love the possibilities, and the direction our company is going!” As a leader, Bonnie believes in listening, trust, accountability and fun! Bonnie wanted to become a CSC because she wanted to share those Strategies best-business practices with others. “If you are dealing with internal negativity, I can help you turn it around. If you feel as though you’re in the hamster wheel working very hard and seeing few results, I can help you put systems in place to fuel the growth of your company,” she said. In the beauty industry for nine years, Bonnie serves on the board of directors for her Chamber of Commerce and is the newest member on the Leadership Council for the Professional Beauty Association (PBA).
Leslie Rice Winterrowd
While Leslie Rice Winterrowd has been in the professional beauty industry since 1996, she’s been involved for much longer – ever since she got a perm in her highchair when she was just a year old! She truly grew up in the salon industry.
Leslie has worked at Goldwaves Salon in Forth Worth, Texas, owned by her mom, for the past decade, and previously worked for Neill Corporation. “I am where I am because I became frustrated having accounts where I was only an ‘order taker.’ I really enjoyed the businesses that I worked with that wanted to grow and allowed me to play ‘salon’ with them: scoreboarding, one-to-ones, staff meetings, games, etc. After much frustration my mom allowed me to come on board and see what could happen.” Leslie, who uses her sense of humor to keep things in perspective, first became a coach to help Goldwaves. “Honestly, I had to. I needed clarity of the right things to do to make my company successful,” she said. “At this point I love being a Strategies coach because it keeps me on my game, keeps our company playing at a higher level and allows me to make the mistake first. No reason for someone else to repeat them, right?” What does she find most rewarding about being a Certified Strategies Coach? “Seeing clients succeed! That is why I am passionate about everything I do! I am fulfilled by helping others achieve their dreams.”
Roseanne Klementisz
Certified Strategies Coach Roseanne Klementisz is the owner of The Body Serene Day Spa at Skippack Village in Pennsylvania. She’s been in the beauty industry for 14 years. “Massage therapy was my initial plan, and then I fell into the day spa wave!” she says.
One thing Roseanne was sure of, she wanted to own her own business. “I always want to be in charge, plus I thought I could make my own hours and have the flexibility to raise my family,” she explains. Roseanne strongly believes in the Strategies systems, which led to her training to become a Certified Strategies Coach. “I am passionate about what Strategies can do for people and their companies. This combined with my love of helping people seemed a perfect fit!” She describes her coaching styles as “structured and compassionate.” Her favorite part about coaching? “It is a toss up between loving to see folks get results and being there for owners when they need to talk to someone who understands what they are experiencing,” says Roseanne. She wants first-time clients to know that the road to success isn’t easy. “I have made many mistakes through my journey which have taught me to be a non-judgmental and highly experienced coach. I don’t focus on what the client has done wrong but more on overcoming their challenges to achieve their goals,” says Roseanne. “I am best at straight talk with kindness and authenticity.”
Michael Yost
Certified Strategies Coach-Michael Yost has been in the beauty industry for 18 years, including the past 10 as owner of Salon H2O Inc., in Erie, Pennsylvania. Michael was attracted to the industry by the creativity, the hands-on work and “the thought of doing something different and working with a different personality every hour.”
Michael decided to become a business owner to have the chance to create his own vision and opportunity. “I wanted to become a Strategies coach and educator because I found the information so powerful that I wanted the rest of the industry to understand the same things,” he said. Michael describes his coaching style as understanding and empathetic, but firm when needed. He most enjoys “watching people learn and grow, and helping empower others to make strong decisions for their companies,” what he calls “teaching them to fish.” Michael wants clients to know that when you work with him as a coach, “You can expect to work with someone who cares for your business like you do.”
Chris Murphy
As a Certified Strategies Coach, Chris Murphy has been in the beauty industry for eight years and is the owner of Maximum FX Salons Spas with two locations in Austin, Texas. Chris was a originally a Strategies coaching client, “I learned so much about my business, my leadership strengths and weaknesses, and accountability."
Chris believed as a result of his own coaching experience, his business became healthier in every way possible. His desire to become a Strategies coach was driven by the need to give back what he experienced by having a Strategies coach." Chris knows his role as coach is to guide clients to answers. “Powerful coaching is not about being a powerful coach; it is about the power the client experiences through the coaching relationship. Imagine that the coaching relationship is a recharging place where clients tap into the source of energy they need to get over the hurdles in their business. They can’t get the work done if the energy level is low. The power comes not directly from the me, however, but from the relationship – the synergy of energy clients bring in the form of desire and motivation and the energy I bring in the form of my commitment, skills and understanding of human change. Clients have answers or they can find the answers." From his point of view, nothing is wrong or broken and there is no need to fix the client. Chris does not deliver answers; instead, he asks questions and invites discovery! Coaching sessions are focused, concentrated conversations designed to support the client in clarifying choices and making changes. Adds Chris, who has a B.A. in Business Information Systems from Baylor University and a Culinary Degree from the Texas Culinary Academy Le Cordon Bleu program, “I love to see owners energized after a coaching session. I enjoy the satisfaction clients experience when they have both big and small wins.”
Daryl Jenkins
Don’t let the hint of a drawl fool you – Certified Strategies Coach Daryl Jenkins is all business! With 11 years in the beauty industry and 9 1/2 as a salon owner, Daryl knows the meaning of “no compromise.”
Daryl and his wife, Shannon, owned Hair Xtreme in Chester, Virginia, from March 1998 through October 2007. It’s still operated as a team-based-pay business. He was first attracted to the industry because of the Strategies’ business model and “how it could help my wife’s salon become successful.” His reasons for wanting to own his own company were simple: to gain freedom and financial independence. He became a Certified Strategies Coach to share his knowledge and experience with others to help them succeed. Daryl describes his coaching style as “tough but compassionate.” His no-compromise style works, and he takes great joy in seeing his coaching clients reach their goals. “If you are looking for accountability, be careful what you wish for. I will certainly deliver it,” promises Daryl.
Sarah McGee
Sarah McGee, owner and stylist, Visual Changes Salon and Spa, Ellicott City, Maryland, was born into the beauty industry. She officially started in her family’s business 14 years ago, shampooing customers, and became an owner five years ago.
“I love that we are able to make people feel better. The connections and relationships that I see formed while working in the salon mean I would never leave it!” said Sarah. That doesn’t mean that working in the industry has always been a bed of roses. “I saw my father as an owner and liked the perks but hated some of the issues that came with it. I knew that there were ways to make it better and more successful and I wanted a chance to create that — not just for myself but for him,” she explained. “While I loved some of the uniqueness of the industry, I also saw that there were ways to make it more structured and much more successful. I knew that there was a way to make things more professional and consistent, and I started to look for that. Strategies was able to help me realize my potential as a leader, as well as learn how to overcome my weaknesses. They helped teach me all the aspects of business that you need to be able to successfully navigate the world of entrepreneurship. I have a business that is strong, self-sufficient and an absolute joy to work in thanks to my training through Strategies.” Sarah describes herself as a “straight shooter,” who believes in lots of communication with her staff and having fun in the day-to-day business. She likes to empower her staff to get the work done. She believes that her own experiences as a leader and business owner will benefit coaching clients. “When I was at Incubator, I knew one day I would be in the front of the room with my success story. I love being able to help others realize that there are alternative ways to lead and run your company, and that it’s okay to grow and do something different. We don’t all have to run our businesses in the same way. There are options out there to run a business that truly create fulfillment for the owner without slaving away in the day-to-day,” she said. “I look forward to breaking the molds and helping people figure out a great plan of action that is achievable. When you are looking at your company sometimes it’s hard to remember just exactly why you wanted to be an owner or manager. I hope to help reignite that passion and get clients excited to get to work!”
Krista Martin
Krista Martin, CEO, metro FOR MEN, Irvine, California, is a third-generation hairstylist with 22 years in the industry. metro FOR MEN has been voted "The Best Men's Haircut in Orange County," one of "The Top 200 Fastest Growing Salons in America" by Salon Today in 2008, 2009 and 2010, and Best Barber and Shave 2010 by City Search.
A male grooming expert, Krista opened metro FOR MEN in 2004 and now has a staff of almost 20. "I lead with passion and confront challenges head on. I remain focused on the task at hand and help find creative solutions. I am a respectful, no-nonsense leader who encourages others to find their voices and move past excuses," she said. "When I heard Neil speak about No-Compromise Leadership, I was hooked. Then he introduced me to Strategies and I was even more intrigued. The icing on the cake was that he also did coaching. The three successful ingredients to help any business have a sustainable future! I finally was introduced to someone and something that made it possible to run my salon how I dreamed, without guilt, with the tools to make it happen, and the coach to hold me accountable," explained Martin, who holds a degree in marketing and merchandising. She believes that her accomplishments can serve as an example for others. "I have so much passion for the salon industry, as well as business in general, and believe I perform best practices in my company that can be shared with others. I care about people in business and care about wanting to see others succeed," said Martin. She wants new coaching clients to know that she will be as dedicated to your business as she is with her own, and she will relentlessly be there for you. She is proud to be a part of Strategies, a company that cares about the business of beauty and one that gives other owners the companies they have always dreamed of, too.
Fees and Availablity
Contact The Beauty Agents today for fees and availability at 877.319.2403.
Program Description
• Front Desk & Guest Services Training — Events, seminars and on-site training
• Salon/Spa Manager Training
• Team: Enrolling your staff in your company vision
• How to Make Productivity Soar
• Compensation Systems
• Book Smart: Planning for Profits
• How to Price Services
• The System of Building Systems
• Go TEAM: Staff Appreciation
• Customer Service is a TEAM Sport
• Daily Huddles that Work
• Let's Drive Sales
