Terry McKee, co-owner of three Nuovo salons in the Sarasota area, knows opposites attract. But he has also discovered they can build great things together.

When he and his business partner, James Amato, first started out (20 some years ago), they went through a real struggle.

“I was the creative visionary,” says McKee. Amato, on the other hand, was a more linear thinker. “We struggled at first,” he says.

But from the outset they both agreed on one thing — education was a priority if they were going to grow their salons and the people who work in them.

Establishing a Core

McKee and Amato run a culture-driven business that stylists begin learning about on their first day of work.

Apprentices go to weekly classes (a full day with models and educators) where they study four modules: texture, cutting, highlighting and styling. A fifth module, color theory, is in the works. The other four days are spent behind the chair.

The apprentice portion of the program usually takes about a year. During this time, apprentices are cross-trained at the front desk. “We want them to know what it looks like and how challenging it can be,” says McKee.

Additional education is brought into the salon for all stylists through Intercoiffure America Canada, which Nuovo is an active member, and Aveda. These educators are brought in approximately every quarter with an emphasis on color education — Nuovo’s strong suit. McKee and Amato will also send their color director to special classes to bring education back to the salon.

Once apprentices have successfully completed their year of education, they head to Nuovo’s Fresh Talent salon (its own location with slightly lower pricing), where they attend a class every Wednesday morning and receive heavy mentoring. This is considered the second tier of education at Nuovo.

Often, there’s a digital demonstration followed by the advanced hair cutting director taking stylists through the process step by step on a mannequin or model.

It’s at this level the stylists get introduced to their daily “Road Map,” a key piece in Nuovo’s successful education program.