18. Debbie Penzone | Inside Base One and Building Culture Through Education

Hey, everybody. Welcome to The Connector, Intercoiffure's weekly podcast connecting salon owners and professionals with the leaders, artists, and innovators shaping the future of the professional salon industry. I'm your host, Gordon Miller, General Manager of Intercoiffure America Canada, the industry's only not-for-profit association representing employment-based salons across the U.S. and Canada. To learn more, visit intercoiffure.com. And while you're there, be sure to sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter and know that we promise not to spam you. All right. Important to note, ICA's annual Fall Atelier is happening in New York City, October 3rd through the 5th. It is coming up fast. It is going to be epic. I'm excited to be working behind the scenes with the entire ICA team and our president, Scott Buchanan, on, again, what

feels like it's going to be

a really special

event.

Note that the registration and hotel room booking is actually open at intercoiffure.com. And a really special note, if you are the owner of an employment-based salon, but not a member yet, and you are interested in knowing more about Intercoiffure and possibly attending the atelier, please send an email to info at intercoiffure.com. That's info at intercoiffure.com. In the subject line, just put the word fall. And then in the body of the email, give us your contact information, perhaps times a day, days of the week that are best to reach you, and somebody will reach out and give you a bit more information. This is a really unique opportunity. This is really a member's event and a member and special guest event in terms of who it's open to. But we have got a number of really... and especially designated openings this year as an all-new feature of the event to invite, again, people who qualify for membership and are interested in experiencing Interquafira firsthand. No better place to do it than at the Fall Atelier. Excited to put that offer out there. All right, on to today's episode. It's going to be a good one. Today's guest is Debbie Penzone, president and CEO of the iconic Penzone organization founded by Charles Penzone, known as Chuck to his friends, in 1969 and home today to six Penzone salons and spas. hundreds of employees. And, you know, really interesting, those six include their new award-winning Artist Concept Salon and Base One, which is a really unique space for training, special events, team-building retreats, and more, not only for the PennZone organization itself, but for the larger industry, including brand events, independent events, Coaching organizations have held events there and a whole lot more. And the buzz that's coming out of Ohio and base one rippling out into the larger industry, it's pretty significant. It's a really special space from all the feedback I've been getting. And so, yeah, we're going to talk about it today. So welcome to the Interquafure America Canada Connector podcast, an innovator and an Interquafure member and volunteer director, Debbie Penzone.

Thank you, Gordon. I am so honored to be here today and share my story along with our Penzone story.

I'm excited to have you. And I have to start by saying thank you for being part