The Brand Called You
That cross-trainer you're wearing -- one look at the distinctive swoosh on the side tells everyone who's got you branded. That coffee travel mug you're carrying -- ah, you're a Starbucks woman! Your T-shirt with the distinctive Champion "C" on the sleeve, the blue jeans with the prominent Levi's rivets…
You're branded, branded, branded, branded. It's time to take a lesson from the big brands, a lesson that's true for anyone who's interested in what it takes to stand out and prosper in the new world of work. fastcompany.com

NAHA 2010 Winners Announced!
PBA Beauty Week returned to Las Vegas last week, July 17-20, 2010 for the professional beauty industry's most distinguished annual event that featured business development programs, educational seminars, networking opportunities and much more. Among the week's most anticipated events was NAHA, the most prestigious beauty competition in North America, celebrating the art and skill of the professional salon industry. Congratulations to our friends at Lunatic Fringe in SLC, UT for receiving the Salon MBA Award, and to Chrystofer Benson of Salon Tantrum in SLC, UT for his Haircolor Award! modernsalon.com

Check out our photo album from Beauty Week!

New Software Capabilities That Will Change the Business
In this day and age, it’s vital that owners keep up with the latest software innovations, so their salons can reach their full potential. Salon Today invited leaders from 12 software companies to give us their perspectives on what new software capability will change the way salons do business in the near future. salontoday.com

Launching Gilt Groupe, A Fashionable Enterprise
Lunchtime wouldn't be nearly so fabulous for budget-conscious fashionistas if it weren't for Alexis Maybank and Alexandra Wilkis Wilson. The duo, classmates from Harvard Business School, joined forces in 2007 to launch Gilt Groupe Inc. and bring designer sample sales— famous in New York for inducing tug-of-war frenzies—to an online audience. wsj.com