Today we’d like to introduce you to Johanna Castillo.
Hi Johanna, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
As a mother and wife working for a night shift hospital, I had to decide between a slave job or a job where I can manage my schedule and have more time with my children and husband. I learned to do hair since I was young as I grew up in my mother’s hairdressing business. In my native country, Dominican Republic, I studied Medicine, then I came to live here and start a new life from scratch. I never thought that I was going to have a small business until one day, my husband suggested the idea of opening my own business so that I could manage my time with the children and the house.
I do not deny you, it gave me a lot of fear and I was trying to evade that idea for a long time until one day I will prepare myself with the requirements to open; licenses and permits, I found a place and with the help of my husband I decided to open and start this dream, then my sister and my mother were a great plus to give him the touch of what is today Joanmi Dominican Hair salon and I liked what I do, I love serving others, making hair is my passion. The most difficult thing was making that decision and taking on the risks that come with having a hairdressing business from scratch. So, once I started, I learned that the key is to do it but to do it well, as long as you have the passion and love for your business and you have the knowledge and practice to make sure you are successful without having to depend on others for me that is the secret, Knowing how to do what you sell but you run the risk of depending on others since you do not have the adequate knowledge to make the business work. Many may have a great idea or a new product that they developed, there is much more to learn before taking the leap and starting your own business, not only is the idea to know how to execute it.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting a business is an exciting journey but it’s not without its ups and downs – the road to success can often be a bumpy one. For example. When I just opened I did not meet anyone, I mean, nobody knew me. The beginning was hard, it spent whole days and no one entered the business and you did not receive calls. It took me almost a year to get up to speed. But the most difficult thing for me was working with my Mom, being the owner and express to her how the things it will be without offending the fact that she used to have her owns business before in Rep. Dominican. My ideas were totally different and sometimes, she do not take seriously what I said. however, I had to learn how to separate the family from what the business is, that took me time too.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
To serve customers with integrity by being loyal to them, the company and ourselves. To give superior customer service consistently with happy relentless attitude while standing within an affordable budget for families. With are specialize in natural hair, afro hair, in conclusion Latinas hair. Hair that usually nobody wants to do with do it without the necessity of using chemical to straightener. What sets you apart from others? what are you known for? Dominican salons aren’t limited to just one type of hair: “Anyone can come in and we can do it. We can manage all types of hair.” However, their specialty is roller sets, where the hair is washed and conditioned, then set with a product like a leave-in conditioner or setting lotion. They then tightly wrap the hair in sections around large rollers, pin them to the hair, then have you sit under a hood dryer. Pul says the process usually takes around an hour but is actually healthier for your hair than blow-drying with a round brush (a service Dominican salons are also popular for).
Many stylists from some very high-end salons know about the amazing blowouts you get at the Dominican salons. I’ve gone to some very high-end salons and as soon as I let them know that I’m Dominican they say, “Oh, so you know how to blow dry your hair,'” I am stick to this rules; Excellent customer service. Have emphaty with customers, we have a familiar environment and most of the time quite listen to their problem and give them support , Exceptional Presentation For An Unbeatable First Impression Outstanding hygiene is integral to a beautiful salon, so I try to my customer feel the environment super clean. Outstanding Hygiene Enhances Clients’ Comfort By cleaning regularly throughout the day, I will ensure my clients see how sanitary my salon is, especially now during Covid-19 Welcoming Clients From The Outside In When cleaning your salon, pay attention to the exterior as much as the interior. Having a clean, attractive outside will help encourage people to try your business and add credibility to new establishments.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Being honest all the credit I owe to my life partner my husband, who motivated and inspired me, more than that I believed in what it was possible to be who I am today. He is a mega entrepreneur not because he has a lot of businesses or money but because he has brilliant ideas. Joanmi has been the third company since there are two more that he has and it has been a true gem in the community where we live, Homestead.
Contact Info:
- Email: joanmihairsalon@gmail.com
- Instagram: joanmihairsalon
- Facebook: Joanmi Dominican Hair Salon
