Meet the Owner: Education Gives Barbara Ross Salon Its Cutting Edge

With more than 30 years experience cutting hair, salon owner Barbara Ross has made a name for herself in the business. However, she knows education on the latest hair trends is key to keeping her cutting edge. 

Barbara Ross is owner of her namesake, the Barbara Ross Salon, on Jericho Turnpike in Commack. Her focus on education in the latest trends and building a family-like work environment have been the eyes to her success. 

"I believe education is very important, in honing skills and keeping up on the latest trends," Ross said. 

As a young haircutter full of ambition, Ross purchased the salon when she was 27 years old on the Fourth of July. 

"I always wanted my own salon," she said. "I had come to this salon for an education before I bought it." 

As Ross built her salon up, she also built her staff. The salon owner says a number of the hair cutters working for her now started off washing customers hair at the sinks or building their skills as a stylist. Some staff members have worked at the Barbara Ross Salon for upwards of 10, 15 years. 

"We're like family here. Customers feel very comfortable here because we treat customers like people, like family," said Kristin, one of he stylists. 

Ross says she insists all of her stylists continue to pursue education through Goldwell and KMS California salon. 

"Education is very importnat and they provided free in salon education. There are also classes every Tuesday at their Port Jefferson location," she said. 

Her stylists are encouraged to take classses in Port Jefferson, and the staff occasionally travels to the company's Baltimore headquarters to take classes in the latest haircare trends. 

"We're always looking for the next best thing," Kristin said. 

Two of the salon's specialities include hair coloring and hair extensions. For the month of October, the Barbara Ross Salon is offering pink hair extensions at $10 each in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month. All the money will be donated to the American Cancer Society. 

The salon also annually participates in St. Baldrick's Day shaving at Commack High School and offers purple hair extensions for Relay for Life participants. 

In addition to hair, the salon offers make-up services, nail care and sells fashionable jewelry. 

Ross said recently the salon is attempting to make a leap into social media, becoming more involved with its Facebook page. 

"We started a networking system. Clients can gget 10 percent off if they post on Facebook they are at Barbara Ross Salon, and they friend or like our Facebook page," she said.