(above) ISBN Board of Trustees members Barb Sim (left) of Chatters and Graham Walt of Design 1
In the latest installment of this new series, ISBN members get to know leaders and peers. ISBN recently talked to Barb Sim, SVP of Chatters Hair Salon in Canada, and Graham Walt, COO of Design 1 Salon Spa, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Both are long-time members of ISBN who now serve on the ISBN Board of Trustees. First question: Why ISBN?
“This is a platform where decision makers and industry peers come together to collaborate, share insights and drive collective progress,” Sim says.
“I see a lot of value in being part of ISBN,” Walt adds. “I’ve developed real friendships as
well as business relationships throughout the nation and in Canada, and it’s great to connect in person at Conference. Attend once or twice and you’ll get the ISBN bug—like I did—and keep coming back.”
Read on to learn more about how and why these leaders keep growing with and through ISBN.
Board of Trustees Member Barb Sim
Chatters Hair Salon SVP Franchise Operations & Business
Executive-level experience: “I have been with Chatters for more than 15 years in all aspects of the business. I started in operations and work closely with our franchisees, salons and brands to support and grow services and retail success.”
About the business: With more than 118 locations, Chatters is the largest salon-based retailer in Canada, with 40 percent of our revenue driven by salon services. There are more than 1,200 stylists working at Chatters salons across the country. About 750 are corporate employees; the rest are employees of Chatters franchisees. Chatters is proudly focused on hair. Follow at @chattershairsalon and visit chatters.ca.
First became involved in ISBN: ““I joined the industry in 2010, and Chatters has been an important part of ISBN since the early 2000s. I attended my first ISBN Conference in 2012 and have made a point of attending every year since.”
How has ISBN supported you as a leader?““My involvement with the ISBN community has been invaluable in connecting with like-minded professionals, expanding my network, and engaging in meaningful conversations. ISBN provides a platform to share challenges and opportunities, allowing me to gain fresh perspectives on improving business practices and driving growth. Recruitment is just one of many areas where I’ve focused efforts and conversations.”
What are you most looking forward to at ISBN Conference 2025?““For me it is about networking and having meaningful conversations with peers and our vendor partners.”
Who else from Chatters attends Conference? “I love networking with like-minded professionals.”
Any surprises about ISBN ““From day one, what stands out to me is that everybody is approachable at ISBN. No one is o` limits and all who come to Conference are very open and receptive to conversation. It’s a small gathering on purpose. It’s not like you get lost in the crowd.”
Board of Trustees Member Graham Walt
Design 1 Salon Spa COO
Executive-level experience: “I have been in the beauty industry entire life. My parents Lisa and Larry Walt started Design1 Salon Spa. My mom Lisa was a hairdresser, now retired, and my wife Anna is a stylist as well. My sister Paige Cheever and I share leadership responsibility as Co-Chief Operating O`icers. Before I joined Design1 in 2016, I worked for Maly’s for eight years before and after it became part of Salon Centric. I got to see both sides of family-owned business through a beauty distribution lens and experienced its evolution to where it is today. Through that process, I got to access and know a lot of people, like CEOs and other decision makers who are running the brands. As I moved on to Design 1, It was nice to have those contacts to help get business done. That networking value continues and builds through my relationships at ISBN today.”
About the business: “Design1 Salon Spa is a market leader with headquarters in the Grand Rapids, Michigan, area. All four Design 1locations are full-service salon and spa destinations o`ering guests skin care, massage and nails along with a complete range of hair services. A privately owned, family run business of 44 years, we’ve evolved, made improvements and grown over the years, but have always focused on education. In fact, Design 1 has a dedicated education center for classes for our team.”
First became involved in ISBN: “I’ve been coming to ISBN Conference for 20 years, before I was even working for Design 1. My parents are longtime members of ISBN and my dad Walt was on the board. I’ve grown up with ISBN and have really seen and felt the impact of how leaders share ideas and network.”
Why would you recommend others get involved with ISBN? “ISBN attracts and involves a great mix of businesses, from multi-unit salons like Design 1 that are privately owned to franchise operations to larger, publicly traded companies. Members sit at the table with folks with di`erent perspectives and you all relate peer to peer. You find out we all have the same issues, and you get access to the same insights and conversations that the big guys do. Connecting with the brands and sponsors is also huge. At ISBN, relationships grow year after year.”
What are you most looking forward to at ISBN Conference 2025 in Austin? “I’m looking forward to seeing members face to face. 2024 was a tough year for a lot of people. Together, we’ll strategize how to attract more staff and clients and succeed in 2025. I have high hopes for our industry with ISBN leading the future.”
