Every so often, an industry hits a turning point. These moments call for reflection – and they call for leadership.
As we wrapped up this year’s Salon Owner’s Summit, one theme came through: 2026 is shaping up to be one of those defining moments. While it’s big for technology, it’s also huge for the future of salons, spas, and clinics everywhere.
The Question Behind the Technology
According to Paddy Monaghan, Chief Product Officer at Phorest, AI is no longer experimental. It’s moving quickly into the everyday, and shaping how businesses operate, how teams work, and how clients experience service.
However, there’s also a bigger question at play: What kind of company, and what kind of industry, do we want to be?
Over the past year, our product team has spoken with salon owners, clinic directors, front desk teams, and service providers across our global community. We have heard responses varying from excitement, to curiosity, to ambition.
There are also real, understandable concerns. What we’ve heard time and time again is that the future should be about empowering people, not replacing them.
Click here to watch Paddy’s full video.
The Most Successful Businesses Will Be the Most Human
At Phorest, we believe that the most successful salons, spas, and clinics of the future won’t be the most automated. They’ll be the most human.
Technology should elevate expertise, not overshadow it. It should remove friction, not connection. It should give your team more time to build relationships, deliver exceptional service, and grow with confidence. That belief guides every product decision we make, as AI becomes part of the Phorest experience.
Innovation With Intention
AI is powerful, and with great power comes great responsibility. We know that who it’s built for and how it’s used matter. The values behind it matter.
As we move further into 2026, our commitment is clear: to bring you the highest level of innovation this industry has seen. At Phorest, our products are thoughtfully designed, purpose-built for salons, spas, and clinics, and always grounded in the real people at the heart of your business.
We know that progress without principle isn’t progress at all.
What’s Next for Phorest… And for You
In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing more about how AI is being embedded into your Phorest experience, from intelligent tools that support your front desk, to smarter insights that help you grow sustainably and profitably.
We’ll also host a global digital unveiling of our newest suite of features, and we can’t wait to show you what’s coming next. If 2026 is a turning point, it’s one we’re stepping into together… with a deep respect for the care and community that define this industry.
The future is intelligent, but above all, it’s human.
