As part of LTA School of Beauty’s ongoing industry engagement initiatives, students recently attended an insightful guest lecture by Akshay Poorey, Co-Founder of Dingg Salon App, on the growing importance of salon management technology. Following the session, Priyanka Parshurami caught up with Akshay Poorey to discuss the future of salon businesses, technology, and the skills today’s beauty professionals need to succeed.
1. You recently interacted with the students of LTA School of Beauty. What impressed you the most about today’s aspiring beauty professionals?
“What impressed me the most was their curiosity. Today’s students aren’t just interested in learning haircuts, skincare, or makeup. They genuinely want to understand how to build a successful business. They asked thoughtful questions about customer experience, branding, technology, and growth. That mindset is what will separate tomorrow’s salon leaders from great technicians.”
2. The salon industry is becoming increasingly technology-driven. How important is it for beauty professionals to understand salon management software alongside their technical skills?
“Technical skills will always be the foundation, but technology is what helps you scale those skills into a successful business.
A great stylist can serve one client at a time. A well-managed salon can serve thousands of clients consistently. Understanding salon management software means knowing how to manage appointments, customer history, marketing, inventory, staff performance, and business analytics. Today’s salon professionals should be as comfortable with technology as they are with scissors or a brush.”
3. In your experience, what are the biggest operational challenges salon owners face, and how can technology help overcome them?
“After working with thousands of salons across multiple countries, I’ve found that most owners don’t struggle because they lack talent. They struggle because they don’t use technology to solve it.
- The biggest challenges are:
- Last-minute cancellations and no-shows
- Customer retention
- Inventory wastage
- Staff productivity
- Lack of visibility into business performance
Technology automates routine tasks, provides real-time insights, and helps owners make data-driven decisions. Instead of spending hours managing the salon, they can focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences and growing their business.”
4. From appointments and customer retention to inventory and staff management, which areas have the greatest impact on a salon’s profitability when managed efficiently?
“If I had to choose one, it would be customer retention.
Acquiring a new customer is expensive, but retaining an existing customer creates predictable revenue and long-term profitability.
The second biggest factor is staff productivity because a salon’s success is directly linked to how effectively its team performs.
When appointments, customer engagement, inventory, and staff management work together, profitability naturally improves.”
5. LTA School of Beauty focuses on developing industry-ready professionals with knowledge of technical skills, business, customer service, and technology. How valuable is this holistic approach for the future of the beauty industry?
“I think this is exactly what the industry needs.
A successful salon owner/ stylist today has to wear multiple hats-artist, entrepreneur, marketer, people manager, and business strategist.
Institutes like LTA are preparing students for the real world, not just the examination hall. Combining technical excellence with business knowledge and technology gives students a significant advantage and prepares them for long-term success.”
6. What emerging trends or innovations do you believe will redefine salon businesses over the next five years?
“The biggest transformation will be Artificial Intelligence.
AI will help salons automate customer communication, personalize marketing, predict customer behavior, optimize pricing, forecast inventory, and even assist in business decision-making.
We’re moving from software that simply records information to AI systems that actively help salon owners grow their business.
Alongside AI, we’ll see increased personalization, online-first customer journeys, and stronger integration between digital marketing and salon operations.”
7. What advice would you give to students who aspire to become successful salon owners or beauty entrepreneurs?
“Never stop learning.
Master your craft, but also invest time in understanding business, marketing, finance, customer psychology, and technology.
The most successful salon owners aren’t necessarily the best stylists-they’re the ones who build great teams, create memorable customer experiences, and continuously adapt to change.
Remember, clients come for your service, but they return because of the experience you create.”
Rapid Fire with Akshay Poorey
One word that defines a successful salon?
Experience.
One technology every salon should adopt today?
AI-powered salon management software.
Customer acquisition or customer retention-which is more important?
Customer retention.
One quality every salon entrepreneur must possess?
Resilience.
One common mistake new salon owners should avoid?
Running the salon on instinct instead of data.
One piece of advice for aspiring beauty professionals?
Never stop upgrading your skills.
A message to the students of LTA School of Beauty from Akshay Poorey
“The beauty industry is no longer just about creating great looks-it’s about creating great businesses and unforgettable customer experiences. Dream big, embrace technology, keep learning, and never underestimate the power of consistency. The next generation of salon brands will be built by professionals like you who combine creativity with business intelligence. I look forward to seeing many of you become the industry’s future leaders.”
