The 36th annual North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) honored individual visionary artists who pushed creative boundaries, redefined beauty and innovation via stunning collections, it also honored teams, educators and salons. This year’s “Inspiring Salon of the Year,” Salon27, located in Mesa, Arizona, posits that “team culture is the foundation of good hair.” We tend to agree!
The Tease connected with Salon27 co-owner Amber Pope, fresh off of her team’s NAHA win, to discuss her approach to building a salon that actually supports its stylists, what the moment meant to her, what keeps her inspired and so much more. Read on for our conversation.
The Tease: For those who aren’t familiar with Salon27, take us back to the beginning. Why did you decide to open the space?
Amber Pope: Salon27 began with a simple yet powerful idea: to create a space where stylists would want to work — a space that would inspire them, challenge them, and allow them to grow deeply in their craft. In the very beginning, that was the heart of the vision.
Chet came to me with the idea that we should open a salon together. As scary as it sounded, I thought, Why not? I had the privilege of learning under great mentors and seeing legacy salon companies build something truly meaningful. I also had a clear understanding of what didn’t work in this industry — what stylists didn’t want. So with that knowledge and the idea to ‘think like a stylist,’ Salon27 was born in September 2015.
From day one, our mission was to honor the craft of hairdressing and create a space where stylists could thrive, feel supported, and be genuinely cared for — even before we had guests walking through the door.
People often ask us why the name ’27.’ It’s one of our favorite stories: the number 2 and 7 represent our anniversary, February 7. We wanted a name that meant something deeply personal but wasn’t overly obvious — something that could grow with us.
Today, our mission and vision still lead everything we do. Our number one cultural value is passion — and we don’t take a single day for granted. We open the doors to a team of talented professionals doing amazing work, and we still pinch ourselves. What started as a dream has turned into something with real legs to run — and we’re so proud of where it’s going.
What does “supporting the stylist” mean to you?
Pope: Supporting the stylist means thinking like a stylist. I’m incredibly proud to be a licensed cosmetologist myself, so I truly understand what it takes — mentally, creatively, and emotionally — to show up behind the chair every day.
Back to our passion, and in order to support artists, you have to fuel that passion. That means keeping them inspired, excited, and motivated — always eager to push themselves in their craft, their education, and even in how they show up as business professionals.
Support today looks different than it did in 2015 when we opened our doors — and it looks dramatically different from 2005, when I started in this industry. As a salon owner, it’s my responsibility to understand what this current generation of stylists needs to feel truly supported. What are their goals? What drives them? What do they want from a workplace — and what are they willing to give in return to a salon they proudly call home?
We ask ourselves every day: How are we showing up for them? Are we leading by example? Are we doing the work — not just asking them to? Support looks like energy, effort, and a real investment in helping each stylist chase their biggest, wildest dreams.
It also means providing meaningful opportunities — not just technical education, but real connection. We prioritize face-to-face check-ins, personal goal-setting, and honest conversations. Are they on track? Do they feel seen? How can we help? That’s how we build a workplace our team is excited to walk into each day.
We even have a sign up right now at the staff entrance next to a vintage Samsonite suitcase — it says: ‘It’s hard out there. Write down your baggage and leave it here. Now come inside and make art with your friends.’
To me, that’s what true support looks like. We’re not just building a business. We’re building a safe place for artists to do their best work and feel fully seen in the process.
Salon27 has been a NAHA Finalist for “Inspiring Salon of the Year” several times in the past, so how does it feel to take home a win this year?
Pope: Being named a finalist for ‘Inspiring Salon of the Year’ — not once, but three times — has always been an incredible honor. But this year’s win was truly a full-circle, out-of-body experience for all of us. When they called our name, Chet and I squeezed hands and inside that split second with the same thought: Did we just hear that right? And then came the cheers, the emotion, and the overwhelming pride of standing on that stage representing Salon27 with our incredible team.
To be recognized at NAHA — the most prestigious award in our industry — means the world. But what made it even more powerful was knowing that this honor celebrates not just our artistry and work, but our heart.
We believe that when you take care of your team — when you truly support your stylists and treat them like the valued professionals they are and care for them — they’re empowered to do even more outside the salon doors. That’s what makes us most proud.
Our team dedicates countless hours to serving our community — from providing haircare support for patients at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, to working with the Arizona Animal Welfare League, to offering complimentary services to families through our annual House of Refuge family event. This kind of giving, this spirit of service — that’s what being inspiring means to us.
Salon27 has heart. And we believe that’s what our industry is all about: caring, giving, and creating beauty through the powerful art of hairdressing.
We hope our story reminds salons — big or small, teams or solo artists — that they can make a difference too. We left that night feeling inspired to keep being inspiring. And we offer our sincerest congratulations to all the other finalists — each of them is doing incredible, impactful work in their communities.
What inspires you, and Chet, as salon owners?
Pope: For both of us, our biggest source of inspiration comes from developing and growing stylists — and watching the industry evolve and thrive because of it. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a stylist step into their potential, build confidence, and elevate their craft. That kind of growth is contagious, and it fuels everything we do.
We’re also deeply inspired by connection — especially with other salon owners, educators, and industry leaders. Whether we’re teaching in a salon, attending events, or participating in conversations through the Professional Beauty Association (PBA), those moments of collaboration and shared passion are where the spark happens.
We believe in the power of community, and the more we surround ourselves with people who are pushing boundaries and lifting others up, the more energized we feel to do the same. That’s what keeps us inspired — and keeps us moving forward.
What are your hopes for Salon27 — and the industry?
Our biggest hope is that we continue moving forward — together. It’s such an exciting time for the professional beauty industry. We’re seeing more unity, stronger collective voices, and an incredible wave of innovation and technology that’s opening new doors for creativity and connection.
There’s a renewed energy — a shared eagerness not just to succeed, but to thrive. And just like we’ve said before, our goal is always to be better tomorrow than we are today — and to do that alongside a community that’s equally passionate about growth.
For Salon27, that means staying true to our values while embracing change, uplifting our team, and continuing to contribute to a brighter, more inspired industry future.
For more information about Salon27, be sure to visit their website — you can even take a virtual tour!
