What drove the decision to end the 30+ year exclusive Aveda partnership and rebrand as Douglas J Institute? 

How does introducing multiple product lines better prepare students for the realities of today’s salon and spa industry? 

With new distribution of Back of Bottle and Color Space, how does this expand Douglas J’s business model beyond education? 

Douglas J is now four generations strong—how do you balance honoring tradition with making bold, future-focused changes? 

What trends in beauty, wellness, and education do you see shaping the next decade for Douglas J and the industry at large?

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Douglas J. Companies shared a press release on this topic:  

Douglas J Institute Rebrands, Moves Away from Exclusive Aveda Partnership Across all MI and TN Locations

This switch gives students access to broader training through a multi-product educational approach, fully preparing them for the realities of today’s salon environment. 

East Lansing, Mich., Aug. 2025 – After more than 30 years with the Aveda name, Douglas J is moving forward from its exclusive partnership and rebranding itself as Douglas J Institute, with a multi-line product education across each of its locations. With presence in Grand Rapids, Mich., East Lansing, Mich., Ann Arbor, Mich., Royal Oak, Mich., Knoxville, Tenn., and two recently acquired locations in Lincoln, NE., the educational group is pivoting to feature several product lines for students to utilize, learn specialized techniques from, and retail to guests.

“We couldn’t be more excited about what this means for the students and their future education,” said Scott Weaver, president of Douglas J Companies. “While it was a good run with Aveda, they didn’t make us what we have become today. It’s always been about the people — extending our education model with new product lines and continuing to focus on the people side of the business, is really what fires me up and excites all of us for the future.”

Douglas J Institutes will now use Back of Bottle, Color Space (color), Davines, and Mizani for hair care services and retail, and offer PCA Skin and Eminence for skin care offerings. While this is an initial launch, the team will continue to stay flexible, with potential to add in new and trending lines in the future for students to utilize. With Douglas J now offering distribution for Back of Bottle (BOB) and Color Space products, this shift also strengthens these brands within communities where there’s Douglas J presence, bringing additional awareness to these high performing, clean products.

Founded in 1967 by Doug Weaver, Douglas J Salon eventually grew to launch their first spa in the 70’s, and into the institute education model in 1986. In 1993, Douglas J partnered with Aveda to launch their education program. Today, the company is run by President Scott Weaver and Vice President TJ Weaver, Doug’s two sons.

Douglas J is a family-owned company spanning four generations over more than 55 years and consisting of eight institute and four salon locations across Michigan, Tennessee and Nebraska. The institutes offer cosmetology, esthiology, barbering, and massage therapy programs with proven methods and real-world training for future beauty and wellness professionals. All locations are built on these same values: care, community, and commitment. For more information on the institutes, visit douglasj.edu, or douglasj.com for salons.

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