Your Regional Managers & Designers

Paul Dillon – Regional Manager – Boston Showroom

Paul started with Takara Belmont in 1988 after obtaining his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He has spent years developing his expertise in salon design and project management. Paul’s ability to guide his clients through budget planning, concept and design, to construction and installation is thorough and organized. “We provide the complete package. Every salon is customized to meet our client’s needs and budget. A great design keeps construction costs down while giving the salon owner the look they want at a price they can afford”. Paul’s 21 years of experience in salon design and space planning have been recognized in several Salon of the Year projects over the years.


Andrea Egan - Sales and Interior Designer - Boston Showroom

Andrea started her design career attending Miami-Dade Community college in Miami Florida and The Boston Architectural Center in Boston Massachusetts majoring in Architecture and Building Construction. Ultimately, she earned her degree in Interior Design from the International Fine Arts College in Miami Florida. With experience in Commercial / Contract Design, Residential Design and Yacht Interior Design, her skills have been focused within the many facets of space planning, budget planning, project management and execution. Andrea has been with Takara Belmont since 2003 and coupled with her 17 years experience in Salon Design, has been able to bring her talents and expertise to many notable projects throughout the East Coast including assisting clients to achieve Salon-of-the-Year status.

Luba Kanzas – Industrial Designer - New York Showroom

Luba earned her Master’s Degree in Engineering and additionally completed advanced coursework in design and construction. Before joining Takara Belmont in 2003, Luba was employed at a large architectural firm in New York where she was in charge of interior space planning for the Residential & Commercial division. Since coming to Takara Belmont, Luba has designed and worked on New York City’s finest and most exclusive salons and spas. It is her ability to maximize the space and effectively meet the client’s needs that has made her one of New York’s’ most sought after salon and spa designers. Luba is an expert in salon and spa schematics, conceptual space planning, consulting clients on interior finishes, as well as custom furniture and cabinetry design. Luba works with each client on an individual basis to meet their specific needs and help create the optimal work environment.

Michelle Koster – Regional Manager – Iselin, New Jersey Showroom

Michelle Koster is a Senior Designer / Sales Manager who brings 21 years of experience to the salon industry. She has been working with Takara Belmont USA since 1989. She started her career as an Interior Designer in the Residential Design and Corporate Design community working with clients through-out the state of New Jersey. There are no punches pulled with this vivacious individual who has high expectations of herself, her designs and of the people who work along with her. She has won Salon of the Year Awards, written for magazines and has been asked to write for other manufacturers. Her passions are people, design and beautiful things and believes no matter what the budget there is beautiful design and a perfectly finished project for everyone.

Rick Golden – Regional Manager - Maryland Showroom

Rick Golden has had a career in salon design all of his working life. Having begun his career in 1976, Rick has gained much experience establishing himself as a talented design consultant. He is recognized for his talents as one of the preeminent authorities in salon design and development. Having worked for large beauty product suppliers over the years, Rick's attention to detail and customer satisfaction are his strong points. For 10 years as owner of Tensalon Development Company, Rick developed working relationships with noted architects, engineers, lighting and design specialists. With contributions on design direction for premier salons on both the west and east coasts his credentials as design director and project coordinator are well recognized. For the past 7 years Rick has been regional sales manager for Takara Belmont based in the Washington D.C. area assisting hundreds of salons with design advice and business consultation. Rick is proud of his many award winning salon projects. His expertise has helped many achieve designer looks within reasonable budgets. Innovative, work efficient salon environments = successful salons!

Jeff Holmes – Regional Manager – CBS Territories & North Carolina Showroom

Jeff Holmes began his career in the beauty industry in 1993 as a Sales Assistant to his father (Alan Holmes) who had already worked for Takara Belmont for 10 years. While attending CPCC College for Architectural Design in Charlotte NC he was also learning the beauty industry from the inside out. In 1994 Jeff was hired for a sales territory with Columbia Beauty Supply (CBS) in Atlanta GA. During his tenure with CBS he was an integral part of five prestigious Salon of the year award winning projects, including, Jeff South (Intrigue Salon), Van Council (Van Michael Salons) and Brian Perdue (Salon 124). In 2000 Jeff came to Takara Belmont as our Southeastern Regional Sales Manager and to this date has been a part of an additional 13 Projects which have achieved Salon of the Year status including, Max Varji’s (Varji & Varji salon) 2008 Second Runner-up, and Jeff South’s (Intrigue salon) 2009 First Runner-up awards. “My design style would be considered Sophisticated Southern. Many salons in the southeast want that big city feel without sacrificing the southern charm. I also encourage the use of the latest technology in the salon wherever possible.”

Steve Hughes – Regional Manager – St. Louis Showroom

Regional Sales Manager of Takara Belmont's St. Louis Showroom, Steve graduated from Roosevelt University with his B.S. Degree in Business Administration: Major in Marketing. Since graduating he's worked for large corporations managing and growing a select portfolio of key accounts including Harley-Davidson, Mitsubishi Motors and other major OEM companies. Steve found his home with Takara Belmont in 2003. Still working with local and national salons/chains, his expertise in project management takes the stress out of creating your salon or spa. His knowledge of the latest trends, building materials and furnishings offers endless possibilities and ensures your salon or spa is a reflection of your unique personal style. Clients appreciate his ability to provide creative design solutions and deliver on his promises. "Designing salons is not just what they look and feel like. Design is how it works. I learn from what's worked in the past, but I plan for the future by focusing exclusively on the client sitting across from me. That's when the fun starts."

Kari_BaumKari Baum - Sales and Design Assistant - St. Louis Showroom

Kari Baum earned her BFA in Interior Design from the University of Central Missouri and joined Takara Belmont in 2011 as a Sales and Design Assistant. In this position she provides details in design and handles project management. Kari is a member of IIDA (International Interior Design Association) and has experience in the commercial, retail and residential industries where she has assisted in LEED accredited projects. “I’m excited to be in an industry where I can collaborate with creative professionals. It’s important for me to carry enthusiasm throughout the project into my designs and provide functional interpretations of the salon’s vision.”


Carolyn Collins – Regional Manager – North Midwest – Chicago Showroom

Carolyn received her BA from Michigan State University and started her career in retail environment design. She got her start in the salon & spa design world through a distributor where she was the Senior Designer for many years. Working on projects throughout the Midwest and having been featured in countless trade publications, Carolyn’s out-of-the-box thinking and clean sophisticated design style is in demand! Functional design and space profitability are her top priority for all of her clients as well as her desire to make the process a fun one.


Kate NicDao – Corporate Designer - National

Catherine has a Bachelor of Science degree in Fine Arts, Major in Interior Design. She has gained more than 20 years of experience in the field of Interior Design / Store Planning in Singapore, the Philippines and now the United States. An expert space planner and interior designer, Kate has worked on numerous salon and spa installations both small and large. As Takara Belmont’s Corporate Designer Kate is responsible for aiding our regional offices and corporate office with any interior design needs that they may have.
Justin Joyner – Regional Sales Manager – Dallas Showroom / Rocky Mountains - Denver Region

Justin Joyner graduated from the Art Institute of Pittsburg with a Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design. For the past 7 years, Justin has worked on many residential and commercial design projects in the Dallas metroplex and surrounding areas. Being an abstract artist at heart, Justin is able to share the client's vision of what their space can become. He incorporates a unique mix of modern and traditional design into the spas and salons he designs, so that the finished product conveys the luxurious experience it was intended. Justin enjoys working with the clients to make their dreams become a reality of beauty and relaxation.



Michael Caron - Regional Manager - Northern West Coast

With a degree in Architectural Technology and a certificate in Interior Design, Michael brings a thorough sense of design to every project. Prior to the beauty industry he spent many years working for developers, architectural and engineering firms in capacities of initial schematic design to full project management. His understanding of construction practices enables him to communicate effectively to a client the process of building out a space into a successful salon or spa. Prior to joining Takara Belmont Michael worked 23 years with several major salon & spa distribution companies and aided in developing their respective successful salon equipment divisions. Drawing upon this experience has enabled Michael to fully understand the needs and desires of every client in realizing the completion of their project.

“I honestly believe, no matter what the price, truly great design is never expensive. From the small everyday hand held object to the space around us”.

Sheila Bryan – Regional Sales Manager and Designer – Southern West Coast - California Showroom

Sheila A. Bryan has been in the salon & spa industry for four years now. Originally from North Carolina, Sheila graduated with her B.A. Technology degree in Interior Design from Appalachian State University. Directly out of college she worked as the Interior Design Coordinator, with Takara Belmont’s leading distributor, where she helped contribute to multiple ‘Salons of the Year’ awards. In 2007, she moved out to join Takara Belmont in their Southern California showroom as an interior design & sales person and has worked on numerous projects from celebrity clients to large installations into some of the most prestigious salon & spa locations in California.

Mick Visctonti - Salon Equipment Regional ManagerMichael "Mick" Visconti - Regional Manager - NYC Showroom

Michael "Mick" Visconti has over 36 years of experience in the salon industry. He began his career in 1975 with Takara Belmont after graduating from Southern Connecticut State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and Political Science, and Graduate Studies in Communication at Fairfield University.

Mick has worked in all levels of the industry; from designer to sales management, from manufactures to distributors. He has worked with major distributors developing and directing salon equipment divisions, as well as with Takara Belmont overseeing design and sales regions from San Francisco to New York.

When Mick isn’t assisting stylists and salon owners with design and business consultation you can find him trout fishing the rivers and streams in the backwoods of Connecticut !!


Larry_KaneLarry Kane - National Accounts Manager

Larry joined Takara Belmont in 2011 with over 30 years in the salon industry, and more than 10 years in the salon furniture arena. He has held a full range of positions, starting out as a stylist, and moving on to VP of Education and Chain Accounts, and Chain Salon Manager before joining Takara Belmont as National Accounts Manager. Aside from this position, Larry is also co-owner of Jonathan Kane Salon & Spa, in the Chicago suburb of Flossmoor, IL.

“Besides a passion for an industry that has given me much, I have established myself as a solid sales person. I have been successful in developing teams and processes that provide solutions for our customers. I pride myself in being a mentor and good communicator, as well as a supportive supervisor.”