If there’s one thing I’ve learned from this industry, it’s that salon owners don’t let anything get in their way—not even one of the biggest storms Ireland has seen in recent history. On the Friday before our ninth Salon Owners Summit, as we felt the winds pick up in Dublin and started to hear news of cancelled flights, the Phorest team and I worried many attendees wouldn’t make it. However, as the lights came up on the Royal Dublin Convention Centre on Sunday morning and a line of traditional Irish dancers began to step and jig across the stage, I looked out at the crowd from the wings and was hit with pure gratitude. The room was filled to the rafters. Our industry showed up.
Our opening act, Celtic Dance Fusion, coaxed volunteers into dance-offs and céilí routines, and I watched as familiar faces high-kicked, linked arms, and spun each other around the room. These people–resilient, passionate, committed, and always up for the craic–are the kind of people who dance through the storm. It is clear as ever that the Salon Owners Summit is more than a conference. It is an injection of inspiration for the year ahead and a celebration of this incredible community we’ve built together.
Why “Elevate”?
Running a business is like a never-ending game of whack-a-mole. You fix one issue, solve another, and just when you think you’ve got it figured out—boom, a new challenge pops up. At Phorest, we believe that you deserve a software partner who not only can keep up with you but propels you forward. That’s why we host the Salon Owners Summit to bring you solutions and to connect you with experts who can guide you as you navigate the most pressing challenges and opportunities.
Every year, we sit down to reflect on where the industry is, what’s changed, and what’s coming. In 2025, margins are still under pressure from rising costs. In places like the UK and Germany, new government policies are also making it even harder to turn a profit. In 2024, we saw that consumer demand for our salon, spa and clinic services is holding strong. However, premium clients are expecting a total premium experience with their service. That means we have to raise our game in every interaction. The expectations of our staff are going up too. Hiring and retaining staff is still a challenge. That means we have to become even better leaders and managers.
Standing still isn’t an option. That’s why this year’s Salon Owners Summit theme, “Elevate,” isn’t just a theme. In 2025, it is a necessary mindset shift. If we commit to elevating our businesses in 2025, we’ll come out of this year stronger, smarter, and more successful than ever before.
And for two days, our goal was simple: to give you the inspiration, tools, and strategies to help you do that.
The Phorest team was joined by a cast of world-class speakers & experts in their fields.
Visit the links below for a recap of the top learnings from each of our 2025 keynotes:
Ken Hughes, Leading Consumer & Cyber Behaviouralist, How to Use CX to Build Brand Success
Ronan Harrington, Resilience & High-Performance Expert, From Endurance to Resilience
Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE, Social Entrepreneur & Computer Scientist, AI & the Future of Work
Jacob Morris, Phorest Product Designer, Tipping the Scales: Empowering Staff with Phorest Tips
Until Next Time
The 2025 Salon Owners Summit turned out to be the biggest and most internationally attended in our company’s history. Over 600 salon, spa, and clinic owners and their teams from across North America, Europe, the UK, and even Australia made the trip to Dublin. For Phoresters, the Summit is our chance to step out from behind the screen, to listen, to learn. I always come to the Salon Owners Summit expecting to be inspired, but nothing quite prepares me for the conversations I have with business owners like you. Over two days, I heard stories of courage, perseverance, and an unwavering dedication to your teams and clients. And every single time, I walk away reminded of why we do what we do at Phorest.
Our job isn’t just to build software; it is to create something that truly supports you as you push boundaries, raise standards, and shape the future of this industry. Thank you for showing up, for sharing your stories, and for reminding us, once again, what makes this community so extraordinary.
I already can’t wait to see what we’ll have to celebrate next year. See you in 2026.
Feeling the Salon Owners Summit FOMO?
Want to make sure you’re in the room to hear insightful talks like this next year? Get your tickets for the next Salon Owners Summit!
