After 10 years, Amanda Miller rebuilt her entire hair salon.
Now rebranded as The Standard, the downtown San Luis Obispo salon at 712 Marsh St. marks a decade-long evolution from Twig & Arrow, the three-chair space Miller opened in 2016. But the most significant shift isn’t the name, it’s the system behind it.
At the center is The Miller Method, Miller’s structured, hands-on training program that blends technical skills with business education, alongside a specialized approach to hair extensions that has become a defining feature of the salon.
“I created an education program that’s very structured,” Miller said. “It gave people a roadmap … and made it really plug-and-play and easy.”
That system extends directly into her work with extensions. After 15 years of experience and more than nine certification courses, Miller developed a customizable method designed to work across hair types, textures, and lifestyles.
“No two people are the same,” she said. “Hair type, lifestyle, even how often you wash your hair, … it all matters. We do every hair texture here.”
Her extension line, developed over five years, is built for durability and everyday wear, from workouts to swimming, while maintaining a natural blend.
“My analogy is … every body type has a brand of jeans that fits them perfectly,” Miller said. “You could wear Levi’s, but I can’t. My butt’s too big; it don’t fit. It’s the same thing with hair extensions. Not every hair density is the same and not everything’s going to fit.”
That philosophy also shapes how the salon operates.
What began as a small group of stylists working together has grown into a 20-chair space with more than 20 team members, built around a collaborative, team-based model. Clients aren’t tied to a single stylist, and staff aren’t competing for appointments.
“I have clients that see literally every person in the salon,” Miller said. “It’s a community.”
Inside The Standard, stylists share tips, techniques, and client histories, allowing for continuity across appointments.
“We all share our color formulas,” she said. “Clients feel like, ‘Oh my God, I know Gwen that sits next to Amanda. I also know Shala.’”
That openness extends to client matching. Rather than holding onto bookings, Miller said she regularly redirects clients to stylists better suited to their needs.
“I’ll have people that’ll make an appointment with me, and I’m like, ‘Honestly, I’m not the best fit for you,’” she said. “‘But I know someone that is, and you’re in better hands.’”
The salon expanded into its current location five years ago as the team outgrew its original space, but the rebrand reflects a deeper shift in focus.
“I was very scared to rebrand,” Miller said. “But the idea where we started, and where we are now 10 years later, is completely different.”
A decade after opening her first salon, Miller said her priority is no longer rapid growth, but building a system that outlasts her—one centered on training, collaboration, and long-term success.
“I just want my people to be more successful than I could have ever been at their age,” she said.
Fast facts
• The Cuesta College Central Coast Writers’ Conference will return to San Luis Obispo on Sept. 25 and 26, offering workshops, panels, master classes, a teen program, and networking opportunities for writers of all levels. New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Maberry will deliver the opening keynote for the 42nd annual event. Super Early Bird registration is available for $225 through April 30 before increasing to $275. Register at centralcoastwritersconference.com.
• The Atascadero Optimist Club donated $1,000 to Teens4Teens during its Feb. 10 meeting, with money raised from its annual Festival of Trees fundraiser held in November at the Atascadero Lake Pavilion. The check was presented to co-founder Jeff Long, whose nonprofit focuses on supporting teen mental health through peer encouragement, shared experiences, and access to resources. “Supporting young people is at the heart of what Optimists do,” said Nancy Spitzer, member of the Atascadero Optimist Club. “Teens4Teens provides meaningful support to teenagers and helps them realize that others understand what they are going through.” ∆
Reach Staff Writer Chloë Hodge at chodge@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in April 2-9, 2026.