BROADCASTS.com

It all started with a single haircut + Style at the Horst & Friends Salon, Minneapolis, 1985. Through the excellent service delivery of her Stylist, Sheryl Sikora, Linda found an integral lifestyle product line with a mission she could get behind. Three years later, Linda moved to Texas In 1988, Linda North Thomas not only embraced Aveda and its mission, she sought out a sales position at Neill Corporation in Hammond, Louisiana. Training in the early days included travel with Horst and management of the Retail Areas for his shows all over the United States. Linda was the first exclusive Aveda sales representative for Neill Corporation. Selling Aveda’s plant-based, eco-friendly salon products in the Deep South in the late ‘80s was not for the faint of heart. The need for “big hair” often overshadowed the company’s vision for greater life balance and well-being. By 1992, Linda had progressed to the role of Regional Coach at Neill Corporation. Her family moved to Minneapolis where Aveda by Progressive recruited her for a similar role. A professional shift from distribution to salon operations occurred in 1999, when Diane Keller invited Linda to join her salon, New Reflections. Together they opened three Aveda Lifestyle Spa Salons in the Twin Cities. Linda is currently the Vice President of Operations and Marketing for the company. Linda North Thomas has experienced nearly every aspect of daily operations at Aveda Lifestyle Spa Salons, including: the recruiting and retention of salon talent, creation and implementation of salon systems, and the management of an exceptional service delivery model. Linda’s first-hand knowledge of the whole Aveda story makes her a passionate ambassador for the brand and lifestyle. In 2005, Linda won the Earth Month eco trip to Guatemala. She views such travel as the best opportunity to connect with Aveda partners, and to ensure the culture and service quality at her spa salons exceed industry standards as well as her guests’ expectations.