Bacio Salon in north Raleigh has earned national recognition for something that goes beyond cut, color, and the usual polished-chair glamour of the beauty industry.
The luxury hair salon was named a 2026 Salon Today 200 winner in the philanthropy category, in recognition of the work behind the Bacio Compassion Fund, a community-focused effort that provided more than $25,000 in direct assistance to people in need during its first year.
For owner Yvette Cannas, the recognition is both a business milestone and the continuation of a mission that began with an unexpected act of trust.
The fund, Cannas says, started two Christmases ago when a longtime client gave her $25,000 and a list of five names. The client had grown to care about those individuals through the stories Cannas had shared over time and trusted her to use the money where it was needed most.
With that gift, Cannas says, they were able to help Ukrainian refugees and also help facilitate a final gathering for a young boy with terminal cancer. “These experiences were so powerful that I decided to make the mission permanent by establishing the Bacio Compassion Fund,” Cannas says.
That decision has now earned Bacio national recognition from one of the salon industry’s leading publications. The Salon Today 200 awards, now in their 29th year, recognize top-performing salons and spas across North America. The program examines business growth, leadership, revenue, best practices, and specific areas of excellence in the industry. For 2026, 100 honorees were selected, with only 12 recognized in the philanthropy category.
“It’s an honor to be recognized, and I share this award with my staff and my clients,” Cannas says. “At Bacio, we believe beauty isn’t only what happens in a chair—it’s what happens when we care for one another. Every contribution, no matter what size, helps us extend care in moments that matter most.”
To qualify for the Salon Today 200, salons had to generate at least $250,000 in annual service and product sales revenue since 2023, submit business statistics, and complete essays detailing their work and impact.
Stacey Soble, director of brand content strategy for Salon Today, said the awards are designed to highlight not only strong businesses, but also the individual approaches that make them stand out.
“What is most important to us is how winners put their unique spin on achieving success and how it drives results in the community,” Soble says. “In any year, winning would be an accomplishment, but this year it’s quite stellar. We saw an influx of new salons this year, which ramped up the competition for all.”
The Bacio Compassion Fund has continued to grow through smaller, direct efforts close to home. Recently, Bacio Salon packed 24 backpacks with supplies, food, and hygiene essentials for teenagers in need in the Leesville area. Clients’ children helped with the effort, turning the project into something larger than just a donation drive.
That kind of participation, Cannas says, has changed the rhythm of the salon itself.
“The fund has deeply impacted our salon culture,” she says. “Our team-building is now centered around charitable giving, which has brought the staff together for a worthwhile cause.”
For clients, the effort has added another layer to the Bacio experience. Many follow the fund’s progress on social media, where the salon shares updates on its giving efforts and community projects.
“Our clients enjoy following our progress on social media; it has turned the client experience into something more meaningful than typical salon small talk,” Cannas says. “Giving a positive experience in our salon has so much value considering these complicated times.”
Cannas says the award reinforces the idea that a business can be successful without losing sight of the people around it. “I’m most proud to exemplify that you can be monetarily successful and also be compassionate,” Cannas said. “It’s not just about the bottom line with us; having a positive impact in our community is equally important. My salon serves from a place of love, not competition.”
The Salon Today 200 honorees will be celebrated during a special awards dinner on May 17 in Austin, Texas, where recognized businesses will gather for dinner, a certificate ceremony, and category honors.
For Bacio Salon, the national spotlight lands close to home: on a Raleigh business that uses beauty to build community, one act of care at a time.
