Meet Vanessa Freitas of D’Iorio’s Hair Salon in Worcester

Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Freitas.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have been an area hairstylist in the Worcester, Massachusetts area for over ten years.

My love for hair began at a young age where I experimented with Barbie, along with pretty much anybody or anything that had hair. At sixteen, I was ready to leave High School to pursue this dream along with a GED, but my father had other plans. Due to him, I not only graduated High School, I have also attained an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice, as well as three years of studying Business Management after graduating from Cosmetology school in 2007.

After graduating from Rob Roy Academy in 2007, I began working for Lord’s & Lady’s Hair Salon for the next nine years of my career. Not only did I excel behind the chair, but I also had the opportunity to manage multiple locations, and coach fellow hairstylists during my time with the company. I have had the opportunity to train with several prestige stylists within the industry, become familiar with over five different color lines both American and European and even educated for a small amount of time for Keratin Complex.

After an amazing nine years with Lord’s & Lady’s, my personal life was changing, therefore, I had to balance my professional life with those shifts. I now work for a Worcester city staple, D’Iorio’s Hair Salon, a Paul Mitchell Focus salon since 2016.

Working here has taken the “business” aspect of my career to a different level, and has allowed me to pour my heart and soul back into my original love… being artistic with HAIR. My bosses and co-workers here have truly inspired me to be my best. This change could not have happened at a better time in my life. I have learned how to focus on the “right now” and give my 100% dedication and creative ability to each and every person who sits in my chair.

In my early career, I could not always focus on just me, and after ten long years, I finally feel like I am there. Clients old and new, present or past, know that you have helped mold me and create me to where I am today. I hope that we can continue to motivate each other to live fantastic lives and look fabulous doing it. Cheers to ten years, and many more.

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?
My road has been about as smooth as a corkscrew curl! This industry is ever changing. You have to constantly push yourself to learn and be hungry. You are ultimately trying to please people in the service industry, and if you do the opposite, it can be extremely detrimental to your ego.

You have to take those as lessons, and not let them knock you down. Management by far has been the most challenging. You always have to be the lead. It pushed me to be the best I could be at all times to lead a successful team, but when your team cannot reciprocate, it can really mess with your mind and spirit.

D’Iorio’s Hair Salon – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
D’Iorio’s Hair Salon has been in business for 64 years. We are a Paul Mitchell Focus Salon. The owner started in his parent’s house, and now the house is the salon! It is a family owned operation, and you can really feel the kinship. I call it the Worcester Hair Factory. When you walk through, every crevice service a different purpose, and clients are truly amazed when they see the whole thing.

I have to say, I think my color technique is what has gotten me such a strong following. I have worked with up to six different color lines throughout my career, both American and European based. Training and working with the people I have opportunities with over the years has really helped me gain versatility through my technique, which I attribute to my success because it helps me reach all walks of life. Early on, dimensional foiling was what brought a big clientele base to me.

Presently, I would say balayage and baby light techniques are what many people are booking and inquiring about. I have a constant urge to learn and gain knowledge, so clients can always trust I have some sort of new technique up my sleeve, and a lot of them look forward to that when they come to visit at the salon.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
My proudest moment was when I decided to branch out to work at D’Iorio’s and leave a corporate setting.

Financially and mentally, it can be stressful to branch out on your own and work for a family-owned business. You can no longer depend on a corporation to back you and bring you in business. The fact that I have actually gained business over the past year and a half makes me proud that I did it on my own without any corporate stability.

Pricing:

• Color services starting at just $40.00
• Haircuts starting at just $16.00

Contact Info:

• Address: 335 Plantation Street Worcester, Ma 01604
• Website: http://dioriossalon.com/
• Phone: 508-615-4880
• Email: vanessa_vaudreuil@hotmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessalovestresses/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vanessalovestresses/

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