The Global Salon Business Awards® recognize and honor the world’s leading hairdressing salon owners, whom have mastered the business, management, leadership and entrepreneurial skills necessary to enjoy true business success.

Winners enjoy the respect of the global salon community, recognition at the 2008 Global Salon Business Forum & Awards Ceremony June 7-9, 2008 in Hollywood California, USA, global publicity and media coverage.

The Price Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at UCLA Anderson School of Management conducted an analysis of the number of salons in each country to create a fair representation for the Global Salon Business Awards® program. Based on the UCLA Anderson School of Management recommendations, the Global Salon Business Awards® are now combined into the following regions.

1. Australia/New Zealand Region

2. Austria

3. Benelux Region

1. Netherlands
2. Luxembourg
3. Belgium

4. Canada

5. Nordic Region

1. Denmark
2. Finland
3. Iceland
4. Norway
5. Sweden

6. France

7. Germany

8. Italy

9. Latin America Region

1. Mexico
2. Argentina

10. South Africa

11. Spain

12. Switzerland

13. UK / British Isles Region

1. England
2. Scotland
3. Wales
4. Northern Ireland, Ireland

14. U.S. Regions (split into two regions)

1. East of Mississippi River including Puerto Rico
2. West of Mississippi River

There are four potential awards per region:

Salon Entrepreneur of the Year® –  "Single-Unit" Salon  Category

Salon Entrepreneur of the Year® -  "Multi-Unit"  Salon Category

Entrepreneurial Excellence Award – Salon Leadership

Entrepreneurial Excellence Award – Client Philosophy/Marketing & Promotion

Salon Entrepreneur of the Year® – Single & Multi-Unit
This coveted award recognizes the salon owners whom have achieved extraordinary success through their managerial innovation and entrepreneurship. These business owners have developed a unique and innovative culture, team, systems and strategies that make them highly successful business leaders, which is demonstrated through exceeding the performance standards in all three areas of judging criteria : Salon Leadership, Client Philosophy and General Management.

Entrepreneurial Excellence Award for Salon Leadership
This award recognizes the entrepreneurial leadership style of the business owner/s and the well-being and satisfaction of their employees. The key considerations include an assessment of their internal systems, such as: employee attraction and retention, innovative compensation and benefit programs, employee development, rewards and recognition.

Entrepreneurial Excellence Award for Client Philosophy/Marketing & Promotion
This award recognizes the philosophy, mission and vision of the salon as it relates to the customer, including an evaluation of the salons external management of the business in regard to brand and image, marketing & promotional programs, innovative customer attraction and retention programs, customer service policies, return visit initiatives, loyalty programs and incentives, as well as the active role the salon plays in community-based projects.