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Volk named to top post of salon, spa network

A Red Deer businessman is heading up the International SalonSpa Business Network — an industry association that represents more than 25,000 salons and 250,000 people licensed in the cosmetology field.

A Red Deer businessman is heading up the International SalonSpa Business Network — an industry association that represents more than 25,000 salons and 250,000 people licensed in the cosmetology field.

Jason Volk, CEO of Chatters Canada Ltd., became president of the ISBN in April. Prior to that, he spent nine years as a member of the network’s board, including about five as vice-president.

Volk is now slated to serve two years as president, followed by another as vice-president.

The ISBN provides a unified voice for multi-location salons and spas, lobbying government on industry issues. But a key objectives is helping members network, learn from each other and grow their businesses, said Volk.

In the case of Chatters, which has 95 corporate and franchised stores operating under that name, and about a dozen more using the Tommy Guns, Green Apple and Safari Spa & Salon banners, the ISBN played an important role in pushing the Red Deer-based corporation forward.

“It’s the number 1 biggest reason that our chain has seen the growth that we have been able to achieve,” said Volk, relating how he was able to learn from the owners of other salon chains.

“Our membership basically involves every salon chain in the United States, and most in Canada.

“Our board alone represents about 90 per cent of the salons in North America. It’s really quite phenomenal.”

The ISBN is dedicated to influencing the salon and spa industry in a positive way — such as improving the safety of the products being used. For instance, said Volk, hair-straightening systems that contain large amounts of formaldehyde are still legal in some jurisdiction, despite the risk they pose to hair stylists. The ISBN’s size and reach places it in a good position to address such issues.

“It’s really an unregulated industry for the most part, across North America.”

Although much of the ISBN’s lobbying efforts involve American governments, Volk doesn’t think his Canadian citizenship will pose problems. The network’s past-president, Sport Clips founder and CEO Gordon Logan, is available to help him in this regard.

Volk said one of his objectives as president is to broaden the ISBN’s presence in places like Europe, Australia and Canada.

“My goal is to really increase our international membership.”

The ISBN holds a major conference every year, but Volk anticipates that his role as president will require him to attend six to eight events and other commitments annually.

hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com