Professional Beauty Leaders Unite to Build a Shared Data Foundation

2025 Beauty Industry Data Roundtable: Key Findings & Next Steps from the PBA Executive Summit

PBA Executive Summit Hosts First Cross-Functional Data Roundtable

The Beauty Changes Lives (BCL) Data Roundtable at the Professional Beauty Association (PBA) Executive Summit on November 18, 2025, brought together leaders from beauty schools, brands, manufacturers, software companies, associations, and media to address one of the industry’s most significant barriers to growth: the lack of consistent, reliable, and unified data.

This was the first coordinated effort to identify the true scope of the industry’s data challenges and outline a path forward. During the event, 11 roundtable discussions focused on different data-related topics, including workforce metrics, market segmentation, licensing standards, and operational benchmarks.

PBA Executive Director Leslie Perry and BCL President Lynelle Lynch welcomed attendees. The session was emceed by Edwin Neill, President of Neill Corporation and a BCL board member.

Challenges Facing Beauty Industry Data

No Shared Data Foundation

The industry currently lacks a standardized data foundation. Inconsistent definitions, coding, and terminology make it nearly impossible to compare datasets across organizations.

“We’re all going to have different definitions.”

We Don’t Know the Basic Numbers

Fundamental metrics such as the number of salons, active professionals, and independent operators are unclear or contradictory across existing datasets.

“We don’t have a true understanding of just what the market is.”

Major Market Segments Are Missing

Important segments of the industry remain largely uncounted. Independents, salon suites, the Vietnamese nail sector, cultural hair categories, and the gray market are often absent from official data.

“A blinding flash of the obvious… the consumer category isn’t here.”

Data Is Fragmented and Contradictory

Existing industry data is often conflicting and lacks consistent definitions or segmentation, making it difficult to use for analysis or planning.

“Any data considered respectable… lacks segmentation.”

Weak Data Undermines Advocacy

Without credible and accessible data, the industry struggles to respond effectively to legislative and regulatory threats.

“We are slammed with legislation—and we don’t have the data to fight with.”

The Industry Must Control Its Narrative

When external groups define the story of professional beauty using incomplete data, it negatively impacts recruitment, retention, and credibility.

“Other people have always claimed the narrative for us.”

Strong Alignment and Willingness to Collaborate

Despite long-standing fragmentation, the roundtable demonstrated a strong desire for collaboration and alignment across the industry.

“We are more aligned than we realized.”

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On-site research underscored the urgency, with 86% of attendees agreeing that collaboration around data is extremely important.

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Industry Goals for Unified Data Standards

Participants agreed on two primary goals to address the industry’s data challenges:

Goal 1: Establish Industry-Wide Data Standards

This includes alignment on:

• Taxonomy and shared definitions
• Financial and operational metrics
• Licensing and workforce terminology
• Data collection protocols

Goal 2: Build a Unified, Data-Supported Industry Narrative

This narrative will strengthen visibility, credibility, and economic influence by highlighting:

• Career value and outcomes
• Economic contribution
• Long-term professional success
• Safety and licensing rationale

Next Steps: Creating an Industry Task Force

The roundtable marked the first time the industry assembled cross-functionally to identify what is missing, what is possible, and what work is required to build a stronger data future. Participants agreed that much of the expertise and insight already exists within the industry itself.

As a next step, a dedicated industry task force is being created to set priorities, develop a roadmap, and provide an ongoing mechanism to address the challenges and opportunities identified during the session.

 

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About PBA (Professional Beauty Association)

The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) is the largest trade organization in the United States representing the entire beauty industry, including licensed professionals, salon owners, manufacturers, and students. Access industry resources, education, advocacy, and networking opportunities.

About BCL (Beauty Changes Lives)

Beauty Changes Lives (BCL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization—not a membership group. BCL is dedicated to uniting the beauty industry in support of the next generation of professionals. Since its founding, the organization has raised more than $8 million to fund scholarships. These programs elevate and advance careers in beauty and wellness.

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