Neill Corporation's roots in the industry can be traced back to 1932 when Abner Neill, Sr. went to work for Midwest Beauty supply in Fort Smith, Arkansas. In 1944, Abner, a salesman, and two partners founded Magnolia Beauty Supply in Shreveport, Louisiana, which sold professional hair care products, as well as equipment and furnishings, to beauty salons in North Louisiana, Northeast Texas, South Arkansas and East Oklahoma.

In 1968, Abner bought his partners' shares of the South Louisiana portion of Magnolia and, with his son Edwin II, opened beauty supply stores in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Houma and New Orleans. Abner also changed the name of the business to Neill's Professional Beauty and Barber Supply.

In the mid-1970's, the company, renamed Neill Corporation and under the leadership of Edwin Neill II, closed its beauty supply stores and consolidated its operations in a distribution center located in Hammond, Louisiana.

In 1979, Neill Corporation became an Aveda distributor and in 1991 became an exclusive Aveda distributor. From its original base in South Louisiana, the company's territory has grown to include seven southern states and the country of Mexico.

In 1990, Neill opened Paris Parker Salon, the first of now 12 Aveda Concept Salons and Spas in Southern Louisiana. Paris Parker has been named one of the fastest growing salons in the country by industry magazine Salon Today for four years.

Under the visionary leadership of Edwin Neill II, Neill Corporation expanded its services to the salon/spa industry as a leader in innovative solutions. The company has formed successful business ventures in the areas of technology with the establishment of SalonBiz in 1984, cosmetology schools with 14 Aveda institutes to date, business and technical education, and interior design/space consulting. All these components, including the Aveda distribution and the Paris Parker and Lockworks locations, come together through a diverse group of employees and family members that continues to thrive and evolve.

Edwin II passed away in February 2004, and Neill Corporation remains a leader in the beauty industry. Today, Debra Neill, CEO, together with Edwin II's sons: Edwin III, President, and Ross Neill, CTO, continue his legacy. The family atmosphere also extends throughout the company's more than 700 employees.

Providing opportunity and the possibility of evolution remains at the source of who Neill Corporation is as a company. It's the company's belief that business development and people development are completely interdependent and are responsible for where we are today and tomorrow.