Paris Parker Named to Salon Today 200
Paris Parker Salons & Spas, a nationally recognized salon and spa company with deep roots in Downtown Hammond, has once again earned a spot on the Salon Today 200 list by Salon Today Magazine.
While the brand has grown far beyond its original footprint, its connection to Hammond remains a key part of its story. This recognition highlights top-performing salons across the country based on growth, leadership, customer service, and overall business excellence.
Below is the official press release, followed by insights from Garrison Neill, Vice President of Paris Parker/NEILL.
PARIS PARKER SALONS & SPAS NAMED TO THE SALON TODAY 200 BY SALON TODAY MAGAZINE
Paris Parker Salons & Spas in Hammond, Louisiana, owned by Neill Corporation was recently named to the SALON TODAY 200 by SALON TODAY, the leading business media for salon and spa owners.
The magazine’s 29th annual SALON TODAY 200 issue profiles the selected salons in its Spring 2026 edition. The honored salons were awarded in 11 best-practice categories, including Growth, Business Builders, Client Retention and Referral, Compensation and Benefits, Customer Service, Employee Education, Environmental Sustainability, Philanthropy, Retail and Merchandising, Salon Culture, and Technology.
To participate in the competition, honorees shared sales data and wrote essays about their best practices, biggest business challenges, and how they had grown their businesses in the past year. Data was tabulated, essays were judged, and the top 200 salons were chosen from all applicants.
“This year’s competition studied how salons are leading their businesses to realize growth despite challenges such as employee recruitment, employee retention, economic instability, and rising costs,” said Stacey Soble, director of brand content strategy for SALON TODAY. “For these small business owners, it has been several years of pivoting and adapting to rapid changes, and these honorees really proved their business acumen and leadership skills.”
In this year’s competition, 100 honorees were selected for Growth; 14 for Business Builders; 6 for Client Retention and Referral; 11 for Compensation and Benefits; 12 for Customer Service; 12 for Employee Education; 4 for Environmental Sustainability; 12 for Philanthropy; 4 for Retail and Merchandising; 15 for Salon Culture; and 12 for Technology. The number of honorees selected in each category was based on the percentage of businesses applying in that category.
For a salon to be named to the SALON TODAY 200, it had to meet the following criteria: 1) The salon or spa opened on or before January 1, 2023. 2) The salon is a provider of professional salon services including one, or more, of the following: hair care, nail care, skin care, body care or spa treatments; 3) The salon or spa generated annual service and product sales revenues of at least $250,000 per year since 2023; and 4) The owner provided statistical information about his or her business and completed two essay sections.
Paris Parker Salons & Spas was one of the fourteen small business to be awarded in the Business Builders category.
“The recruitment strategy we put into place two years ago is paying off,” read Paris Parker Salon & Spas’ essay submission. “Every chair is productive and we went from hiring 15-20 stylists per year to hiring 50 last year. We have found it’s important to be a true partner to the schools we’re recruiting in, learning their curriculum, developing relationships with educators and understanding their culture. Our goal is to have two hairdresser per chair, making us more productive.”
The honorees will be celebrated at a special awards dinner on May 17 in Austin, Texas, during SALON TODAY’s Data-Driven Salon Summit event. The theme for the evening’s festivities is “Your Time to Shine.” The owners and employees of the honored businesses will enjoy a plated dinner and a certificate ceremony, and six will receive special awards in specific categories.
SALON TODAY is a media brand under the Beauty, Health, and Wellness division of Bobit Business Media, which is headquartered in Torrance, California.
Contacts:
Ashley Neal
Paris Parker Salons & Spas SALON TODAY
877-878-4438 805-709-1837
Q&A with Garrison Neill - Vice President of Paris Parker/NEILL
1. What does being named to the Salon Today 200 mean for your team?
This recognition is a true reflection of our team’s commitment and passion. We’ve been honored with this achievement multiple times over the past two decades, and that consistency means a great deal to us. It speaks to a culture that has been built over time, one rooted in growth, accountability, and care for one another. For us, it’s a reminder that when we invest in people and relationships, excellence follows.
2. What does great customer service look like in your salons?
Great service is about creating a space where guests feel genuinely seen, heard, and cared for. We draw deep inspiration from our connection to Aveda, integrating clean beauty and wellness into every part of the experience. It’s not just about the result. It’s about how someone feels while they are with us and long after they leave. Every detail is designed to nurture well being, balance, and a sense of renewal.
3. What sets the Paris Parker experience apart in this region?
Our roots run deep. Our company was founded in 1947, and we relocated our beauty distribution business to Hammond in 1977. In 1991, we opened our first Paris Parker salon in downtown Hammond. What many people may not realize is that we are part of something much larger that is helping shape the future of the beauty industry across the country. That combination of legacy, education, and forward thinking allows us to bring a level of expertise and innovation that is unique to this region. At the same time, the love and connection from the Hammond community has been foundational to our growth, and that relationship continues to guide us.
4. Paris Parker was recognized in the Business Builders category. What strategies have driven that growth?
Our growth has been intentional and values driven. We focus on developing leaders, investing in education, and creating clear pathways for long term careers. We also believe deeply in building lasting relationships with both our guests and our team. When people feel supported and inspired, they grow, and the business grows with them. That alignment has allowed us to scale in a way that is both meaningful and sustainable.
5. Why is your commission and team based model with benefits important to your business?
We believe in building careers, not just jobs. In an industry where many professionals can feel isolated—such as in suite environments—we have created a team-based culture that feels like a true community. Our model is supported by best-in-class benefits, including a strong 401(k) match, health coverage, and paid time off. We’ve also learned a lot from the shifts during COVID about how people want to work today. One thing that has helped Paris Parker thrive is our fully adapted flexibility. Many of our top producers are working moms, and we’ve crafted ways for them to work in a way that fits their lives. This flexibility has strengthened our culture. As a result, many of our team members have built 20- and 30-year careers with us.
6. Can you share more about your efforts supporting cancer research in Louisiana?
Giving back is deeply personal for us. My mom, Debra, the founder of Paris Parker, went through breast cancer herself. That experience shaped our commitment to this cause. We have partnered with Ochsner Health to help ensure that patients have access to resources and support throughout their cancer journey. It is something that touches many lives, including our own, and we are proud to use our platform to contribute in a meaningful way.
7. What’s next for Paris Parker as you continue to elevate the client experience?
As we look to the future, we are focused on continuing to evolve in a way that is thoughtful and sustainable. The work we are doing is helping shape the industry at a national level, but our approach remains grounded. We listen closely to our guests and our team, and we let those relationships guide our next steps. Our goal is to continue creating experiences that are not only elevated, but deeply meaningful, always rooted in the same love and connection that built Paris Parker.
Paris Parker’s continued recognition reflects not only national excellence, but also its lasting connection to Downtown Hammond. As the brand continues to grow and innovate, its commitment to people, service, and community remains at the center of it all.
