Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikki Gatto.
Nikki, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My story is short and sweet and probably sits close to home for most stylists out there. Ever since beauty school, I worked at a number of salons, trying to find the best fit for me, and it wasn’t until I started cutting men’s hair only that I fell absolutely in love with my career. Once I found my passion, I worked at a few men-only oriented salons and saw the same trends at all of them. They worked the stylists to the bone and underpaid them. I’ve never been treated, nor my co-workers, in a way that I thought was fair. So, I decided I needed to open something of my own, and one day, I will have a full-size salon where I can hire other awesome stylists and give them the lifestyle that I feel like they deserve.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This one makes me laugh a bit! No road is smooth and struggles free when you are trying to start a new business. I will admit it was extremely scary and stressful when I first started to get my business going-theres so many unknowns! Someone once told me you can’t fly unless you jump! I couldn’t agree more with this statement. It was super scary to go away from the salon environment where I was comfortable for so long in renting my own space and having all this responsibility overnight. But I have no regrets! My advice for other women on a similar journey would be just to believe in yourself. You can do anything you put your mind to. When I have presented this opportunity, I grabbed a pen and paper, wrote the numbers down – it was a no-brainer. I knew it was going to have challenges in the short term, but in the long term, I knew I was going to make more money, have FREEDOM, and be so happy.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Groom for Gentlemen – what should we know?
I am a men-specific stylist and I recently added on my Barber’s license. I am known for paying attention to detail! I cut every clients hair specifically to their needs-no ones hair/head is the same, so that means no two haircuts are the same. I have been lucky enough to attend multiple advanced academy’s and classes. I never stop learning, which means I am always trying new things in my shop, it’s so much fun! As far as my services go, again I am very detail oriented. I try to make every single client feel comfortable in my chair. Little things matter – sometimes, more than the bigger things. I don’t skip a beat – from the moment they walk in the door and offered a beverage to the moment when they leave and grab a little bag of skittles. I create relationships with every client, which is a huge part of my success.
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
My biggest advice to other stylists starting their career is to keep your mind open! Never stop learning. Even if it means taking classes over and over again – you can always learn and take in SOMETHING from any class or other person styling hair. Work at a couple different places until you find a salon that fits you! Watch the other stylists – especially the most booked stylists (they must be doing something right) and watch them. Notcie little details maybe they do that other stylists don’t. Then, take the skill you learn and put your own twist on them. Also, remember that the relationships you will build with your clients will last! I have clients still to this day from the first men’s salon I ever worked at 6 years ago. And never give up – again, anything you put your mind to, you can accomplish with determination and hard work.
Pricing:
- Haircut $50
- Shave $50
Contact Info:
- Address: 9 w Erie suite 1
Chicago, IL 60654 - Website: Groomchicago.com
- Phone: 312-625-1124
- Email: book@groomchicago.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/groomforgentlemen/
Image Credit:
Pratyush Swarup
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