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Zenoti's 2026 Golden Hands Awards

In an inspiring ceremony held on September 21, 2026, at the Seattle Aquarium during the Innergize conference, Zenoti unveiled its prestigious Golden Hands Awards, recognizing nine extraordinary professionals from the beauty and wellness industry. These honorees were carefully selected from a staggering pool of over 449,000 providers across North America, showcasing the remarkable talent present within this vibrant sector.

This year's awards not only continue the tradition of celebrating excellence but also underscore the significant roles these professionals play in enhancing client experiences and contributing to business growth.

A Recognition of Dedication

The Golden Hands Awards have become synonymous with acknowledging the exceptional service that beauty and wellness professionals consistently provide. Covering a diverse array of roles from stylists to estheticians, the awards highlight individuals who not only excel in their craft but also strive to create meaningful connections with their clients. Judged on their impact on customer experience and their contribution to business profitability, these awards reflect the core values that drive the industry forward.

As part of Zenoti's annual Innergize summit, which attracted over 1,000 leaders in the beauty and wellness field, the ceremony served as a vital networking and learning opportunity. This year’s event featured thought-provoking keynotes and hands-on workshops about the evolving role of AI in business operations, showcasing insights from prominent figures like author Carlos Andrés Gómez and Stanford professor Jeremy Utley.

The event concluded with the launch of Growth Diaries, a new book by Zenoti's founder and CEO Sudheer Koneru. This publication gathers insights from 42 industry leaders across nine countries, offering a practical guide for professionals looking to expand their operations successfully. Koneru stated, “The Golden Hands Awards provide an opportunity to shine a light on the often-overlooked talent in our industry, recognizing their relentless dedication to helping clients not just look great but feel great.”

Honoring the Best: The Award Winners

The 2026 Golden Hands Award winners reflected a multitude of specialties within the industry:

• - Stylist of the Year (Luxury Salon): Trenton Lacy, Douglas J, Rochester Hills
• - Stylist of the Year (Salon): Elma Howard, Fantastic Sams, Naples
• - Stylist of the Year (Quick Service Salon): Victoria Phillips, Supercuts, Southwest Florida
• - Barber of the Year: Jung Halverson, The Barbers, Portland
• - Provider of the Year (Waxing Salon): Carla Imbrogna, Brazilian Wax and Spa by Claudia
• - Provider of the Year (Medspa): Kara Jones, ARNP, 4Ever Young Anti-Aging Solutions
• - Nurse of the Year (Medspa IV Therapy): Kelly Lopez, RN, Modwella
• - Nail Stylist of the Year: Anna Le, Nail Garden
• - Esthetician of the Year: Angela Cutler, APRN, Sakoon the Spa

These professionals represent the pinnacle of skill and dedication that defines the beauty and wellness experience, each bringing a unique touch to their work and a commitment to client satisfaction. The awards not only honored individual achievements but also highlighted the collaborative spirit and fierce dedication that unites all in the beauty and wellness community.

For more details on the award winners and their stories, visit the 2026 Golden Hands Awards winners page.

About Innergize

Innergize is Zenoti’s annual conference dedicated to professionals in the beauty and wellness industry. It serves as a conduit for knowledge sharing, innovation, and professional development, integrating leaders from salons, spas, medspas, and fitness sectors for an enriching experience. The conference for next year, Innergize 2027, will take place in Atlanta from September 12-14, with early registration available now at innergize.me.

About Zenoti

Zenoti stands at the forefront of the beauty and wellness technology landscape as the leading cloud software platform. With a commitment to empowering over 30,000 businesses globally, Zenoti provides tools for appointment scheduling, payment processing, marketing, and AI enhancements, ensuring operators have comprehensive insights and control over their businesses. For further information about Zenoti, please visit zenoti.com.