Tom Kuhn: BeautyMatter NEXT Changemaker of the Year

Tom Kuhn is a visionary leader and trusted beauty and wellness expert. For nearly three decades, he has dedicated himself to elevating the economic reality and possibilities of a career in beauty. Through an unwavering commitment to finding innovative solutions, making financial education accessible, generating groundbreaking data, providing essential resources for businesses, and fostering partnerships with leading educational institutions, his expertise in the economics of pro beauty is unparalleled.

Kuhn is a fierce advocate for the financial success and sustainability of the beauty industry, driven by his passion for data, education, and financial literacy. Drawing from his experience as a former salon owner, Kuhn recognized the industry’s pain points and set out to develop simple, visual learning tools and programs that make financial education accessible and engaging for professionals from all backgrounds.

Kuhn’s leadership extends beyond the creation of companies and educational products. He has been a prominent voice advocating for the economic empowerment of beauty professionals and the elevation of industry standards. The Qnity Institute, a direct result of Kuhn’s commitment to overcoming misperceptions about careers in professional beauty, has conducted groundbreaking research on salon compensation models, multilocation performance, and workforce trends. The findings have been presented to the Chief Economist at the US White House and on Capitol Hill, catching the attention of policymakers and providing invaluable insights to industry stakeholders.

BeautyMatter sat down with Tom Kuhn, Founder and CEO of Qnity Inc. and NEXT 2024 Changemaker Of The Year finalist.

What was the challenge or problem you identified that necessitated a change?

It was the lack of accessible financial literacy, verifiable data, and supportive resources within the professional beauty and wellness industry. Historically, beauty professionals have faced significant obstacles in understanding financial concepts, accessing accurate industry data, and finding tailored business support. This gap not only hindered their personal financial growth but also affected the overall perception and viability of careers in the beauty sector.

In particular, there was a scarcity of reliable compensation data, which made it difficult for industry stakeholders to advocate for a career in beauty, attract talent, and influence public policy. Additionally, beauty and wellness businesses, often led by creative professionals rather than business experts, lacked the tools and systems needed to manage and grow their operations effectively. This led to issues such as poor profitability, inadequate succession planning, and  limited opportunities for long-term career advancement within the industry.

With these challenges, we saw an urgent need for change and set out to develop solutions that would bridge these gaps. Initiatives, such as the Qnity Institute’s groundbreaking studies, Qnity for Schools’ financial literacy curriculum, and Qnity for Business’ consulting services, were all designed to address these core problems by making financial concepts simple and visual,  providing actionable data, and equipping professionals with the tools they need to succeed. These efforts have not only elevated the industry but also empowered countless individuals within it.

Creating change is a complex process, usually filled with hurdles. What drives your commitment to keep going?

What drives my commitment to keep going is the profound belief that the beauty and wellness industry deserves the same level of respect and recognition as any other profession. I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of financial literacy and data in empowering individuals and businesses. Knowing that our work can make a tangible difference in someone’s life—whether it’s helping a student gain confidence in managing their finances or providing business owners with the tools to succeed—fuels my passion to continue pushing forward.

I’m also driven by the impact that accurate data can have on public perception and policy. When I see how our research has influenced discussions at the highest levels, like Capitol Hill, it  reinforces the importance of what we’re doing. The hurdles are real but so is the potential to elevate an entire industry. That potential keeps me motivated to overcome any challenges that come my way.

Creating change requires rallying consensus and motivating others to support the cause. How did you achieve this?

We are achieving this by focusing on clear communication, building trust, and demonstrating the tangible benefits of the change we were advocating for. First, I made sure to present our vision in a way that resonated with different stakeholders, from policymakers to  business owners and educators. By simplifying complex financial concepts and making data  accessible, I was able to show how these changes could directly benefit them, whether it was  improving profitability, attracting talent, or elevating industry standards.

Building trust was crucial. I worked closely with experts—like CPAs, PhDs, and industry  leaders—to ensure that the data and solutions we provided were credible and actionable. This credibility helped rally support, as people were more likely to back a cause they believed was rooted in solid research and expertise.

Finally, we focused on creating a sense of community and shared purpose. Through events like The FiLL Conference and our ongoing educational initiatives, we brought people together to learn, share, and grow. This collective momentum helped to motivate others to not just support the cause but to become active participants in driving the change forward.