Salon Suite Franchise Growth: IMAGE Studios Icons Program

IMAGE Studios, the 141-unit luxury salon suite franchise, has launched its IMAGE Icons campaign, celebrating some of the brand’s top-performing salon suite professionals and internal success while building brand equity and driving growth throughout the system. By elevating high-performing professionals who already embody the creativity and professionalism expected of the IMAGE brand into true brand ambassadors, IMAGE Studios is supporting community connection while highlighting real-world success stories that attract additional Pros to the brand.

“At IMAGE Studios, the collective strength and creativity of our network has always been our biggest strength,” said Lizzie Web, vice president of operations. “The IMAGE Icons program allows us to highlight and celebrate this in a more official way, and it spotlights a powerful internal ecosystem that allows IMAGE Studios to create dynamic, supportive communities where beauty, health, and wellness entrepreneurs and salon suite owners thrive.”

While the corporate team conceptualized it, the IMAGE Icons campaign is largely driven by local owners. The process was kicked off by franchise owners who nominated standout professionals from their own locations, sharing how and why each professional thrives in the studios and the impact they have on the larger salon ecosystem. Following a deep dive by corporate and additional vetting to ensure professionalism and alignment with the company’s public-facing values, the individual IMAGE Icons were selected.

By including owners in the process, IMAGE Studios was able to identify and highlight the Pros who have the greatest impact in their specific locations and who embody the type of Pro these owners hope to attract moving forward.

In addition to celebrating and validating Icons who participate in IMAGE-backed educational opportunities, supporting fellow Pros, and pushing their locations to consistently improve, the campaign clearly illustrates the trajectory possible with IMAGE Studios. By highlighting the professionals who have leveraged brand resources, leadership development opportunities and the chance to collaborate with other Pros, the campaign spotlights the depth of opportunity available to beauty and wellness professionals when they become a part of the IMAGE Studios family, and it drives growth and retention of existing Pros and attracts new ones to the system, as well.

The 2026 IMAGE Icons were selected for their involvement and collaboration within their local beauty communities, and being recognized as an Icon only opens more doors for them to continue this work. As brand ambassadors, the Icons will be featured in systemwide marketing campaigns, generate high-impact social media content of their own and participate in a panel at IMAGE Pro Live 2027.

To further support their professional development, they will also have an opportunity to connect with the corporate leadership team and continue building on their prior education and leadership development, all with the goal of supporting them as they scale their businesses. As they work to highlight what’s possible at IMAGE Studios, they’re also supported in furthering their own success — an ongoing positive reinforcement loop.

The 2026 class of IMAGE Icons includes five professionals from markets across the country, each with a different specialty and unique approach to business and community. This year’s Icons include:

• Johan Fitch is a barber and motivational speaker in Melbourne, Florida. While he specializes in services like cuts and hot towel shaves, he collaborates with other IMAGE Pros to offer joint services and drive mutual success. As an IMAGE Icon, Fitch aims to lift up other professionals, sharing success stories, career strategies and insights for industry development.

• Susan Seo is a lash and brow artist in Alameda, California. In her suite, she tailors lash and brow services to each client’s unique face and eye shape, enhancing their natural beauty. As part of the larger IMAGE Studios community, Seo participates in local events and leads lunch-and-learn sessions to further collaboration with other Pros.

• Mika Toussaint is a holistic aesthetician and nutrition coach. In addition to providing a welcoming environment for her clients, she is consistently working to advance her education and service offerings, and she is a warm presence at the Dallas Galleria IMAGE Studios location. As an IMAGE Icon, Toussaint aims to share both the technical knowledge she has gained over the years and the practical lessons learned through business development to empower other professionals as they grow.

• Jessica Willis is a hairstylist and life coach in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Willis is dedicated to the experience she delivers in her own suite and to the higher-level success of the IMAGE community; she is described by the Grand Rapids owner as a “go-to person” for her thoughtful approach to feedback. With over 20 years of experience, Willis has deep product and technical knowledge, and she aims to share that experience with other professionals while remaining humble and approachable.

• Billie Jean Bolden is a cosmetologist, consultant and minister in Greenville, South Carolina. In her suite, she specializes in textured hair and hair care while using her industry experience to coach and support budding beauty professionals. As an IMAGE Icon, Bolden plans to use the platform to highlight and celebrate her fellow professionals.

The launch of the 2026 IMAGE Icons campaign has sparked exciting momentum for the brand. By celebrating local beauty, health, and wellness professionals and validating the important work they do both in and outside their suites, IMAGE Studios shines a light on those making a real difference in the system, showcases what’s possible as an IMAGE Pro, and encourages other salon suite professionals to explore the brand.