How Spas and Salons Can Increase Earnings with AI

Today’s salon and spa professionals are navigating rising client expectations for personalized experiences. During the panel “How Spas and Salons Can Increase Earnings with AI” at the Global Beauty & Fashion AI Forum, industry leaders came together to discuss how AI-powered tools are redefining consultations.

Sponsored by Bobit Business Media, the panel was moderated by Stacey Soble, Director of Brand Content Strategy at Salon Today and included speakers Scott Buchanan, Founder of Scott J. Aveda Salons; Sam Brocato, Founder of Sam Brocato Salon; Michaella Blissett Williams, Founder of [salon] 718; and Justin Depasquale, Co-Owner of Depasquale The Spa. By increasing guest purchasing confidence and increasing earnings, AI technology like Perfect Corp.’s Skincare Pro is helping salons and spas deliver higher-value interactions.

Empowering Staff Through Efficiency and Engagement

AI is giving professionals more time to use their skills. Instead of being stuck behind the first desk, receptionists can personally guide guests through experiences. Hairstylists and service providers can focus more on personalized consultations and building relationships with clients, elevating the overall in-store experience.

As Scott Buchanan emphasized, AI can also strengthen both the service and retail sides of a business. It can analyze website performance to reveal stronger and weaker areas, and once customers walk through the door, technology can help staff engage them in the retail area.

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AI is a Problem-Solver and Decision-Making Partner

For Sam Brocato, AI’s role lies in identifying pain points and solving them. AI predictive tools can prioritize a leader’s tasks for the day, pointing our problems, and highlighting operational issues that would have gone unnoticed beforehand.

He mentioned that the biggest barrier to widespread adoption of AI technology isn’t AI—it’s “muscle memory.” Salon leaders and industry professionals are still learning how to efficiently integrate AI into their businesses, but as familiarity grows, AI will ultimately help those businesses work better and make data-driven decisions.

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Enhancing Customer Communication With AI Assistants

AI also has a growing presence in communicating with customers. After-hour calls and high-volume periods can be handled effortless by AI-powered systems that provide fast, accurate responses. According to Michaella Blissett Williams, once customers have one positive interaction with an AI assistant, they often prefer using it moving forward.

From upselling products to recommending services, technology can reduce the burden on staff. Unlike training a new employee—which requires extensive time—AI solutions are ready to use immediately and can be customized by characteristics like gender and tone to match the brand.

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Interactive In-Store Experiences

For Justin Depasquale, AI can also be vital in physical storefronts. Kiosks in boutique areas or wellness rooms spark curiosity, create fun, and help educate guests. This leads to better dialogue, elevating the consumer experience and often encourage people to try new products or services they would not have considered.

Solutions like Perfect Corp.’s AI technology allow customized recommendations based on a brand’s philosophy and clientele, driving results while also remaining authentic to core values. AI also reduces common pain points like booking inefficiencies or issues with payroll, making services faster and more efficient.

Conclusion: The Next Era of Salon Innovation

As AI is adopted across industries, salons and spas have the opportunity to unlock its potential. From customer service to educational experiences, AI helps brands work more effectively, elevating consumer journeys and leading to brand loyalty.

AI technology continues to support salons and spas, driving revenue and empowering professionals to provide remarkable experiences into the next era of innovation.

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