At a high-end salon, helping clients feel confident and beautiful is just the beginning. For Tina Lork LeBaron, founder of Urban Monk Salon in Northern California, the real artistry lies in creating a thriving, supportive environment for her team of stylists and skincare professionals. To take her leadership and team communication to the next level, Tina gave her internal operations a makeover—by introducing the BAND app.
Building the Salon She Always Dreamed Of
Like many entrepreneurs, Tina was driven by a vision. When she couldn't find a workplace that reflected her values, she built one from the ground up. Together with her husband, she opened a salon designed not just for beauty services, but for fostering community, professionalism, and continuous growth.
From day one, Tina focused on cultivating a workplace rooted in cleanliness, professionalism, education, and mutual respect. Though her team members operate as independent contractors, she didn't want to lose the sense of connection and shared purpose that makes great salons stand out.
That's where BAND came in.
From Individual Artists to a Unified Team
Even though every stylist at Urban Monk Salon runs their own independent business, BAND helps bring them together as one unified team. Inside their private Band group, stylists contribute to decisions on salon decor, cleaning routines, product vendors, and even which local charities to support. Everyone has a voice—and that's exactly what Tina envisioned.
They also share photos of their latest work, offer feedback, and collaborate on marketing efforts. Stylists regularly refer clients to one another through BAND, creating an organic, supportive referral network that benefits the entire team.
“We utilize almost every BAND feature,” says Tina. “We take polls on everything from decor to lunch orders. We share work photos in Albums, organize training materials, track birthdays and rent due dates in the Calendar, and use Sign-Up Sheets for community outreach like our blessing bags project. The To-Do List and Alerts make it all seamless.”
A Stylish Upgrade from Outdated Systems
Before BAND, keeping the salon organized was a challenge. Schedules were scribbled onto a physical calendar in the breakroom. Notes and client referrals lived on sticky notes that were often misplaced—or lost entirely.
“Before BAND, we had to be physically in the salon just to communicate,” Tina recalls. “Trying to coordinate 20 different schedules for one meeting was nearly impossible. Info got thrown away or lost, and there was no way to go back and reference anything.”
Now, all that communication happens in one place. With BAND's shared calendar, notes, polls, and task lists, the team can collaborate from anywhere, at any time—without missing a beat.
A Beautiful Future Starts with Better Communication
Tina says her favorite feature is the Calendar: “I love looking forward to what's next for us.” Whether it's a class, a birthday celebration, or a client appreciation event, BAND keeps everyone informed and involved.
Thanks to BAND, Urban Monk Salon doesn't just look fabulous—it functions flawlessly. By transforming the way her team connects and collaborates, Tina has created more than just a salon. She's built a community.
Get started with BAND and see how strong communication can transform your group.
