2025 has been a defining year for VR Beauty Consulting, not only in business performance but also in clarity, purpose, and the impact we’ve been able to make across the salon industry. As we look ahead to 2026, it feels important to pause and reflect on the milestones, the lessons, and the direction shaping our future.
Valerie Reynaert, founder of VR Beauty Consulting, shares her insights here, offering a glimpse into what drives her work and the salon businesses she supports.
A year of strong growth
This year, our business grew by 75% overall, with 32% of that growth coming organically. A large part of the expansion was driven by adding social media content creation and management to our services, which brought measurable results for the brands we support.
“Beyond numbers, the growth confirmed something we have long believed – when you consistently deliver value, the right clients will find you,” Valerie says.
One of the most meaningful milestones was the recent launch of our Finance for Salons workshop. It sold out in a week, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. After years of conducting audits and speaking with salon owners, we saw how financial planning remains a struggle for the vast majority of businesses.
“Creating a workshop that genuinely moved the needle and sparked requests for more dates was deeply rewarding. We now have a waiting list and will be expanding this educational offering in 2026, including an online version to reach more owners. Empowerment through education remains central to our mission, practical, actionable, and rooted in real business needs,” Valerie shares.
Building brands from the ground up
Another proud achievement was the collaboration with a client in the journey of creating and launching a salon called Atelier 10. This was a full-scale salon project built entirely from scratch. The VR Beauty Consulting team crafted the brand, marketing and communications strategy, operational foundations, KPIs, commission structures, and financial planning, as well as handled everything from fit-out to product selection. Beyond the opening, we continued to support the business to ensure a strong start.
“It felt like launching our own brand, and it was unquestionably our project of the year. The teamwork, the creativity, and the precision reflected the best of what we do.”
Helping owners transition and grow
This year also saw several salon sales. We are selective about the businesses we support, but two of the most successful outcomes came from matching sellers with existing VR Beauty Consulting clients, a perfect alignment of timing, goals, and readiness.
In one case, a coaching client was preparing for growth, and through deep financial analysis and strategic planning, we helped her reach the expansion stage. The right opportunity for expansion surfaced in the form of an existing salon, and the match was seamless. In another, an owner was ready to exit, and we found her ideal buyer within our client base. Helping one owner close a chapter while enabling another to begin is one of the most satisfying parts of our work.
Moments that made a difference
One standout experience this year was the inaugural PBGCC roadshow that took place in some of the regional emirates around the U.A.E., as well as in Oman. It offered the chance to connect deeply with industry professionals who are operating salons in contexts that are very different to Dubai or Abu Dhabi. We were proud to deliver practical talks and contribute to the collective growth of the salon ecosystem.
Another meaningful moment came from supporting a first-time salon owner who had unfortunately run out of money just before opening her salon. Instead of walking away, we stepped in with coaching and helped restructure her plan. She opened her doors, and that felt like a genuine win.
Lessons, boundaries, and burnout awareness
Not every project this year was smooth. One client wasn’t aligned with our values. Communication was difficult, respect was lacking, and the energy quickly became draining. It reinforced an important lesson: trust your gut.
“I felt from the start there was a problem but went ahead anyway. We closed the project early, and the entire team felt the relief,” Valerie shares.
That experience also connects to another ongoing lesson, protecting our health.
“During the PBGCC roadshow, an award finalist broke down in tears about taking on too much, and it hit close to home. Many of us go through times like this quietly. It’s a reminder that caring for ourselves is not optional, especially when we carry responsibility for others,” says Valerie.
Finding our niche and owning it
Six years into this journey, 2025 was the year where everything clicked. We now understand the industry at a level that only time and immersion can teach. We know what works, we know what our clients value, and we know where we make the biggest difference.
“This clarity became even stronger during a strategic retreat in Sri Lanka, where I reviewed every aspect of the business, revenue, conversions, service performance, and demand patterns. It became clear that one major initiative needed to be brought back to life, our recruitment platform,” Valerie explains.
Talent gateway relaunch
“Recruitment remains one of the biggest pain points for salons. We receive messages almost daily asking for help. Our previous recruitment platform didn’t work, not because the idea was flawed, but because I tried to reinvent the wheel. The process became too complex for busy professionals, and profiles weren’t updated, creating downstream issues for salons,” Valerie says.
This time, we are building a streamlined, industry-standard platform with one essential difference: candidate screening. Salons won’t have to sift through hundreds of irrelevant CVs. We will filter, validate, and match, ensuring quality and alignment before a candidate reaches a client. There is huge demand, and 2026 will be the year we meet it properly.
Focused community
In 2026, we will launch the VRBC-Suite, an exclusive, focused community of salon owners and managers committed to growth. Members will receive industry checklists, reports, surveys, professional resources, and access to a private WhatsApp community moderated by us.
It’s a space for clarity, support, and progress, not the noise and negativity often found in large industry groups.
Hopes for 2026
Our hopes for the beauty salon industry are twofold. First, we want salon owners to embrace financial accountability, because understanding your numbers is the foundation of clarity, control, and sustainable growth. Secondly, we hope to see salons investing more in their teams, recognising that a supported, motivated staff is key to a thriving business.
“Staff are not ‘packages’ to be replaced; they are people with stories, pressures, dreams, and needs. It’s crucial to establish operational efficiencies so that expectations, communications, and KPIs are clear. At the same time, salons can invest in their staff’s emotional wellbeing by fostering a collaborative culture where every individual feels valued. Mastering both aspects has the power to transform a business,” says Valerie.
Beyond business goals, VR Beauty Consulting’s hope for 2026 is simple: more peace in the world, more kindness, and more respect. Stability, mental health, and wellbeing for everyone we work with are priorities. Life and business both flourish when compassion is present.