Carlsson Culture Wins the Global Salon Business Awards® Entrepreneurial Excellence Award for General Management Salon Chosen Over More Than 400 Entrants at the International Event

The B.E.S.T. Foundation, producer of the Global Salon Business Forum & Awards, announced Carlsson Culture as the Dutch winner of the 2006 Global Salon Business Awards' Entrepreneurial Excellence Award for General Management at the prestigious ceremony in Barcelona, Spain on June 6, 2006. Competing with more than 400 leading salon businesses worldwide, Carlsson Culture distinguished itself as an entrepreneurial leader in an extremely demanding and competitive international industry.

Paula Kent Meehan, Founder of Redken Laboratories and President of the not-for-profit B.E.S.T. Foundation, explained, "The professional salon industry generates over $150 billion dollar per year in annual sales; in this highly competitive environment, there is no greater challenge than to run and operate a burgeoning business. The amount of work and attention to detail it takes to create a successful salon can only be mastered by those with a clear vision and the will and perseverance to succeed."

The coveted award, which was presented to Cia Carlsson of Carlsson Culture, recognizes the entrepreneurial background and philosophy of the owner(s) and the unique culture that he/she/they have created in the salon and in their community. Award selection is based on an evaluation of the owner's/owners' financial management of the business and the success and accomplishments achieved in regards to sales, profitability, growth and sales productivity.

Executive Director, Kristin Firrell, elaborated, "Our goal is to recognize and honor the top achievers in the industry, and that is exactly what Carlsson Culture is: a business that has forged remarkable growth and customer satisfaction through creative tactics and implementation. As the winner of the Entrepreneurial Excellence Award for General Management, Carlsson Culture is a model for other salons to follow."

Over 1700 salons and spas worldwide were nominated for entry in the 2006 Global Salon Business Awards®. The judging was independently conducted by the UCLA Anderson School of Management, Price Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, led by Senior Associate Dean, Dr. Alfred Osborne Jr. The renowned judging panel included academicians, leading business experts, international trade media and industry leaders. They gathered at the University of California, Los Angeles campus in March to make their selections from the 400 competing entries submitted from 21 countries throughout the world.

The Global Salon Business Forum & Awards are produced by The B.E.S.T. Foundation, (Business Education for Salons Today), a non-profit organization whose mission is to support the continued growth and development of the global salon industry through recognition, publicity, advanced business education and resources. The Foundation's vision is for all salon owners to be regarded as successful business leaders; by offering financially viable career opportunities and contributing to the socio-economic prosperity of their community.

For more information please visit www.bestfoundation.com