At Serious Business, we are leaning into the "Shock" of an industry where the ground keeps shifting. For a salon owner, disruption can feel like a "mental mess"—overwhelming schedules, fragmented data, and the constant hum of administrative stress. But within that upheaval, we seek the "Awe": the quiet resilience and modern innovation that allow a business to flourish even in the rubble.

To turn today's challenges into tomorrow's growth, you need a partner that doesn't just manage your business but modernizes it. This year, we are proud to spotlight our sponsor: Aura Salonware.

At Serious Business 2026, we are exploring the landscape of "Shock"—the moments that shake our industry—and seeking the "Awe" found in the resilience and beauty that follow. While leadership and strategy provide the vision, your physical salon environment is the container where that transformation actually happens. To build a space that inspires everyday wonder, you need a partner with deep roots and a commitment to quality. This year, we are proud to spotlight our sponsor: Collins Manufacturing.

At Serious Business 2026, we are exploring the space between "Shock"—the sudden disorientation of a shifting world—and "Awe"—the quiet resilience and magic found in the aftermath. For many salon owners, "Shock" lives in the numbers: fluctuating margins, complex tax regulations, and the anxiety of the unknown. But when you have a clear financial roadmap, those numbers transform into "Awe," giving you the confidence to lead your team through any disruption.

To help you find that clarity, we are proud to spotlight our 2026 sponsor and industry powerhouse: Kopsa Otte CPAs & Advisors.

At Serious Business 2026, we are leaning into the "Shock" of an industry where the ground keeps shifting. For many salon owners, that shock is felt most acutely in the numbers—the disorientation of fluctuating margins, complex payroll, and the "mental mess" of tax season. But within that rubble, we seek the "Awe": the quiet resilience and radical clarity that allow a visionary leader to build a lasting legacy.

To turn financial disruption into a strategic advantage, you need a partner that speaks the language of beauty. This year, we are proud to spotlight our sponsor: World Class Financial Services (WCFS).

At Serious Business, we are leaning into the "Shock" of an industry where the landscape is constantly shifting. Disruption can be disorienting, but it is also an invitation to look deeper. In the rubble of old systems, we find the "Awe"—the quiet resilience and high-tech innovation that allow a salon to thrive while others are simply trying to survive.

To find your footing in 2026, you need more than just a booking tool; you need a growth engine. This year, we are proud to spotlight our sponsor: Phorest Salon Software.

Leading a salon or spa in 2026 requires a unique kind of resilience. In a landscape defined by "Shock"—the disruption of shifting markets, complex regulations, and the constant hum of business uncertainty—it is easy for a creative leader to feel disoriented. But at Serious Business, we know that true "Awe" is found when you have the clarity to look deeper into your own potential without the weight of financial stress holding you back.

At Serious Business 2026, we are leaning into the "Shock" of an industry where the ground keeps shifting. Upheaval can be disorienting, but it is also an invitation to look deeper. In the rubble of old systems, we find the "Awe"—the quiet resilience and modern innovation that allow a business to thrive when others merely survive.

At Serious Business, we gather to confront the "Shock" of a shifting industry—the moments when the ground moves beneath us and the old ways of managing no longer suffice. But within that disruption, we seek the "Awe": the quiet resilience and clarity that allow a business to thrive in the rubble. To find that clarity, you need more than just intuition; you need the industry’s most powerful management partner: SalonBiz®.

At Serious Business, we gather to navigate the "Shock" of a shifting industry and find the "Awe" in the resilience that follows. But where does that resilience truly begin? It starts at the foundation—with the education and inspiration that shape the next generation of beauty leaders. This year, we are proud to spotlight a partner that has been the heartbeat of our industry's evolution: Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes.

Serious Business is where we navigate the "Shock" of a shifting industry and find the resilience to lead through disruption . But when the sun sets on the Saenger Theatre, we look for the "Awe"—that spark of wonder that reminds us why we fell in love with this craft in the first place. There is no better place to find that magic than with our 2026 sponsor: Elevate Hair®.

At Serious Business, our focus is on navigating the "Shock" of industry disruption and seeking the "Awe" found in transformation and resilience. This year, we are thrilled to spotlight a partner that turns those shifts into a strategic advantage for your business: VoMor® Hair Extensions.

Anna Manukyan is a Certified Financial Educator, industry leader, board member, licensed cosmetologist, and the founder of Beauty Finance Group and Beautiful Wealth, on a mission to teach practical financial education for the very professionals who dedicate their lives to caring for others. 

Andi is a former beauty industry executive turned brand strategist, consultant, founder, speaker, author, and educator.

Thanh Pham is the founder of Asian Efficiency, one of the world’s top productivity training companies. Since 2011, he has helped over 15,000 clients and millions of readers through workshops, courses, and The Productivity Show podcast, which has surpassed 20 million downloads. His work has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, and Inc., and he speaks internationally on AI, productivity, and time management.

Dacher Keltner is a Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, and director of the Berkeley Social Interaction Lab, he is a leading scholar in the study of emotion, including a new project on awe around the globe, as well as power, class, and inequality.

Brad Stulberg

Brianna Wiest is a renowned, bestselling author and speaker dedicated to helping individuals discover their inner potential and lead more fulfilled lives.

Dr. Leigh Erin Connealy, M.D., is a renowned medical doctor and trailblazer in integrative medicine. She is the visionary behind the Center for New Medicine & Cancer Center for Healing—the largest and most advanced integrative clinic in the U.S., located in Orange County, California. For over 37 years, Dr. Connealy has been at the forefront of combining conventional treatments with holistic, non-toxic alternatives, emphasizing root-cause healing.

Serious Business 2026 Theme Revealed: Shock & Awe. A transformative event for beauty business owners who want to lead and grow personally and professionally. New Orleans, January 2026.