ICA’s Spring Regional Event Goes Behind the Scenes at Edgeless Beauty Group

March 18, 2024

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Details, details.Intercoiffure America Canada President Sheila Zaricor-Wilson says the Edgeless Beauty Group’s attention to detail made a huge impression on ICA members at the recent Spring Regional Event.

“Every little component of their business has its own details, from the salon to the medispas to the schools,” says Zaricor-Wilson. “And the team is focusing on all of them, from the consultations to the retail areas. And it’s those small details that make a big difference.”

Susan Haise, long-time ICA member and owner of Edgeless Beauty Group, hosted the third annual Spring Gathering, welcoming members to her five-story building in Milwaukee, which houses one of her schools, one of her salon/spas, and her office.

She provided full manuals for technical team, finance, human resources, education, marketing for attendees to photocopy, giving them the opportunity to take home and study all the materials provided.

“We also highlighted the medispa business and had a panel of students who talked about where they’re interested in working after they graduate,” says Haise.

“What an inspiring weekend it was with Susan and the Edgeless Beauty team,” says Jeffrey LaMorte, owner of Jeffrey LaMorte Salons in the Chicago area. “It’s an outstanding operation and another reminder of how dynamic our ICA members are. The sharing, camaraderie and outstanding information will no doubt have a lasting impact on all of us who attended.”

Bonnie Conte, owner of Avalon Salon in Lake Zurich, Illinois, adds, “I was wowed by Susan’s solid system for continuous growth that runs company wide, and the diversity of her multi businesses that intersect and provide outlets for high employee retention.”

Even the most seasoned owners found something new to learn from Haise and her team.

Perry Monge, owner of Perry Monge Salon Spa in Phoenix says, “Team Haise laid out the blueprint with systems on how to go from single location to multiple locations, and simplified salon systems for technical providers on how to grow their salon business within the culture.”

What Students Want

Haise shared all aspects of her business with members over the two-day event, including operations, profit margins, onboarding, spa training and more. But the most compelling content for many was the information presented about Edgeless Beauty Group’s school and the student panel led by Kari Kennedy, executive director of schools.

Brandon Wagner, ICA member and owner of Tribeca Salon in Tampa, Florida, said, “As someone considering opening a school, I realized the impact a school can have on the local quality of salons and stylists. Susan’s system elevates the quality of potential candidates available to salons in the area, and her dedication to excellence raises the caliber of future professionals and guarantees salon owners a high level of quality of new hires.”

During the event, ICA members toured the school, watched classes and spoke with students, getting a behind-the-scenes look at operations.

“A great takeaway from the weekend was the level of consistent and constant communication between new talent and master talent within the refining training program,” says Hans Burkert, owner of Capelli Salon Academy. “The in-depth conversations with each student allowed us to better learn their nonnegotiables for employers.”

Connecting and Growing Together

The Spring Regional Event was capped at less than 50 people, providing an intimate atmosphere for members to network with each other, gain strategies, and brainstorm ideas.

“We have newer members and seasoned members, and the small groups allowed them to connect,” says Zaricor-Wilson. “At these regional events, members can see in person everything a salon is doing. It makes you proud to be part of this elite group of owners.”

Scott Buchanan, ICA First Vice President and owner of Scott J Salons in New York City, says, “It was a fantastic weekend of learning, laughing and connecting. I love hearing from others in the industry and seeing how I can upgrade my systems and communication with my team.”

From retail to interviewing to onboarding and orientation, Haise and her team covered every aspect of operations in detail, leaving attendees inspired and excited to make changes and improvements in their own businesses.

“Susan and her entire team are amazing, knowledgeable, caring, and authentic,” says Adam Broderick, ICA 2nd vice president and owner of Adam Broderick Salon & Spa in Ridgefield, Connecticut. “Their business model is the gold standard, supported by impeccable systems along with a beautiful environment. My team learned so much and had fun, too.”

President and CEO
Southern Security Federal Credit Union

Dawn Graeter, President and CEO of Southern Security Federal Credit Union is an extremely accomplished, trailblazing finance executive who has led Southern Security to triple-digit growth since she took the helm in 2011. As one of the few female bank CEOs in the Greater Memphis area, Dawn has over 35 years in the finance and banking industry and has held almost every position there is as she worked her way from teller to CEO.

Dawn’s focus on the foundational pillars of people, community, and technology have ignited record-breaking results year after year and includes specific efforts for teamwork-building, employee relations, a genuine grassroots community outreach effort, and adopting technology solutions to provide greater functionality and service to customers. These efforts have increased the Southern Security full-time workforce by 37 percent and increased the annual net income of Southern Security by 127 percent poising Southern Security for even greater growth in the future. Dawn’s successes have not gone unnoticed as she was voted one of Power Poll Memphis’ Most Power People in 2023 and named a Superwoman in Business by the Memphis Business Journal in 2012. Also, named University of Memphis Outstanding Alumna in 2019. Dawn and her team are proud that Southern Security has been named Best Credit Union by the readers of the Commercial Appeal for six years running.

Dawn works tirelessly to support professional and community organizations close to the industry and community she loves. She currently serves as Chairman of the Board for Confluent Strategies, which specializes in consumer credit, commercial and mortgage credit reporting, background checks, employment screenings and association management. She also serves on the board for the Tennessee Credit Union League whose mission is to promote and support the success and advancement of credit unions in the State of Tennessee. Dawn correspondingly serves on the board for Share One which serves credit unions across the country with a comprehensive core processing system named New Solutions. As a credit union service organization (CUSO), Share One designed New Solutions directly alongside credit union clients.

Recently, Dawn was asked to serve on the Le Bonheur National Leadership Council, on the Youth Program’s Inc. Captain’s Club, charitable foundation and host organization of the FedEx St. Jude Championship, and the Board of Carnival Memphis, all benefiting local children and children’s charities.

Dawn previously served as chairman of the board for HopeWorks, an organization that offers jobs and support to the under-resourced and recently incarcerated working in conjunction with the Shelby County Department of Corrections Hope 2 Hire program. Her work with HopeWorks is what she is most proud of, helping train adults for vocational careers and life outside of the Department of Corrections system. Dawn has a real drive to help adults help themselves, to be able to provide for their families, and find a skill or career they are proud of every day.

Dawn has served on various nonprofit boards over the years including Leadership Millington, Millington Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mid-South American Heart Association’s Executive Leadership Team. Dawn also served at the Greenshoe Gala, benefitting Shelby Farms.

Dawn gives back to her alma matter, the University of Memphis as she is serving as an Executive in Residence for the Fogelman College of Business and Economics, on the 901 Women’s Athletic Advisory Board, has served as a member of the University of Memphis Alumni Association from 2000-2003, serving as treasurer from 2002-2003. She continued her service as the University of Memphis Alumni Association President from 2004-2005 while also being a member of the Board of Visitors for the U of M. Dawn was a participant in the U of M Women’s Leadership Council and was chairman for Homecoming Golf Classic for the Alumni Association.

Southern Security Federal Credit Union and its employees support Mid-South Employee Resource Network, Big Brothers Big Sister of the Mid-South, Youth Villages, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, YWCA, American Heart Association, Keesha Warrior Princess, Collierville Education Foundation and many other local charities through monetary donations and volunteer efforts.