Unparalleled Salon Business Education

We’ve transformed our Salons + our lives and we can’t wait to help you do the same.

a short history of PIP University

written by PIP U’s CEO, Samantha Huber

Searching for a breakthrough

APRIL 2016

Heather Manuel, owner of Neatbeat Salon, was weeks away from running her very first marathon, yeah 26.1 miles of pounding pavement. (I was supposed to do it with her but that was a negative, Ghost Rider)

Fun fact: She hated running.

The only reason she signed up and trained for the hilliest course in America was because she needed a breakthrough and she was hopeful this experience would deliver it.

The Boston Marathon was 2 Saturdays before her race so we both booked flights. I remember her being so nervous about getting a glimpse of the pain she signed up for. (haha she's wild I tell ya!)

Ivy League Inspiration

APRIL 2016

Once the wheels touched down the first stop was Harvard University’s Campus.

Honestly, she went just to see what all those smart people looked like. The word “fascination” doesn’t even come close to describing her reaction to the campus.

After going into every bookstore and spending $250 in merchandise, the idea for PIP University was written and planned out, in one of those Harvard notebooks.

“We are the elite”

2017

Heather believes Salon Owners & Hairstylists are in the most elite profession. She always says, “We are the Elite”.

Being around all that Ivy League inspiration and notoriety she strongly respected, lit a fire inside of her to create a company with high level education, (like… MBA status) that our industry could actually relate to.

“PIP University, not your average Ivy League education” hit the nail on the head. She started with in person workshops at salons across the United States and they were "a big ole flop". Her words, not mine friends:)

PIP University

2018

So she did what she always does, "pushed herself past stuck". She invested $100k for us to learn how to design a curriculum that's scientifically based on the human learning experience AND the implemenation process.

Hands down, we've created the #1 "school for salon owners" with our 12 month program Rich Life CEO. Honestly, it's one of the greatest blessings in my life and the best part? I'm not the only one who feels that way.

A brief history of PIP University

Searching for a breakthrough

APRIL 2016
Heather Manuel, creator of Neatbeat Salon, was weeks away from running her very first marathon, yeah 26.1 miles of pounding pavement. Fun fact: She hated running.
The only reason she signed up and trained for the hilliest course in America was that she needed a breakthrough and she was hoping this experience would deliver it.
Since the Boston Marathon was 2 Saturdays before her race she flew in to get a glimpse of the pain she signed up for.
Ivy League Inspiration

APRIL 2016
Once the wheels touched down the first stop was Harvard University’s Campus.
Honestly, she went just to see what all those smart people looked like. The word “fascination” doesn’t even come close to describing her reaction to the campus.
After going into every bookstore and spending $250 in merchandise, the idea for PIP University was born.
“We are the elite”

2017
Heather believes Hairstylists are in the most elite profession. She always says, “We are the Elite”.
Being around all that Ivy League inspiration and notoriety she strongly respected, lit a fire inside of her to create a company with high-level education, (like… MBA status) that our industry could actually relate to.
“PIP University, not your average Ivy League education” hit the nail on the head. She hit the ground running with in-person workshops at salons across the United States.
PIP University Evolved

2018
After lots of reflection and digging deeper into her why, Heather decided she wanted to focus PIP University's curriculum towards what she knows best.
PIP U focuses on the business side of owning a salon. The transformational training is designed for commission/hourly salon owners and suite/booth ren salon owners.

Heather Manuel’s teaching style is wild.

The women she surrounds herself with, who are now “Professors” with PIP University, have the autonomy to teach in a way that’s true to who they are.

There’s only 1 guideline: Be relatable.

Together, they teach Ivy League-level salon business education to salon owners across the world, helping them build every category of their salon to function at its highest level.

Little did she know that one trip to Boston, in the name of needing a breakthrough, would create this unbelievable company that’s helped hundreds of Salon Owners worldwide live out their dreams in real life.

We’re so glad you landed on this page. We’ve been waiting for you.

Samantha Huber
CEO PIP University
(Heather’s ride or die/ Day 1/BFF/#familyforever)

Each person on our team has been a student of ours and was hand selected because they were DYNAMITE as a student.

So this team…. they are the best of the best- it’s a completely different world working with them.

Saying something like “best of the best” doesn’t sound good/strong enough. They really are untouchable

-Heather Manuel, PIP University Founder & CEO

fun FACTS

Our PIP University team resides in cities of all sizes so you know they aren’t just gals living in California charging Los Angeles prices. From Slidell, LA to Houston, TX, we can relate to where you are right now.
We have moms, military wives, mismatched sock wearers, and even owners who have more than one salon ready to share their knowledge and experience.
We will do yoga with you, hang out in nature, watch Golden Girls, or even have a playdate with your kids, but please no champagne flutes… one of us is afraid (wine glasses are totally fine though 😉).
Maybe you prefer to travel, to jam out to Stevie Nicks, or to play some basketball?!? Our team isn’t composed of cookie-cutter clones. We’re from all different walks of life with unique personalities, just like all of you.
75% of us are dog lovers who reach for a cup of coffee in the morning. But if you prefer cats or reach for a diet coke to get your morning going, there’s no judgment here…. we have a professor that is right there with ya!