Author: Mckenzie Coughlin
Accentuation.inc is a hair salon located in Plymouth MA. They specialize in hair cutting, coloring, styling and natural nail care. Jennifer Rigatuso has been the proud owner and operator of this business since October 16th 1995. With over 35 years of experience, Jen has perfected her craft. Hair is her passion. After high school she knew she wanted to get into the business, so she went off to cosmetology school and then worked as a hairstylist for a few years. Jen then took some time off to raise her family but knew she wanted to get back into the hair business. This time she decided to do it on her own. She opened up her own shop and has been thriving ever since.
I had a few questions for Jennifer, and the interview went as follows:
What was the toughest thing you went through when opening?
I had to learn about Title 5 permits and zoning.
How has 2020 and corona virus effected your business?
Fortunately, because I am a smaller business I didn’t have as much to worry about. I don’t have a lot of employees, so I wasn’t stressed about them taking the right precautions because I knew I could trust them to do the right thing. I was able to keep our shop open and clean, again because it’s a small place it easier for me to manage and keep clean than some larger businesses. I have been grateful for our regulars as well as a lot of new customers whose previous hair stylists unfortunately had to shut down during this pandemic. I’ve actually had to turn people away because we got so busy for a while.
What is the number one way you currently bring in new customers?
Our customers leave happy so they talk about us to friends and family and refer them to us. A lot of people found our website when they were looking for a new salon after so many salons had to shut down, so that really helped us as well.
I had a few questions for Jennifer, and the interview went as follows:
What was the toughest thing you went through when opening?
I had to learn about Title 5 permits and zoning.
How has 2020 and corona virus effected your business?
Fortunately, because I am a smaller business I didn’t have as much to worry about. I don’t have a lot of employees, so I wasn’t stressed about them taking the right precautions because I knew I could trust them to do the right thing. I was able to keep our shop open and clean, again because it’s a small place it easier for me to manage and keep clean than some larger businesses. I have been grateful for our regulars as well as a lot of new customers whose previous hair stylists unfortunately had to shut down during this pandemic. I’ve actually had to turn people away because we got so busy for a while.
What is the number one way you currently bring in new customers?
Our customers leave happy so they talk about us to friends and family and refer them to us. A lot of people found our website when they were looking for a new salon after so many salons had to shut down, so that really helped us as well.
How many employees do you have?
There is currently just one other stylist and two receptionists. I find it easier to manage just a few employees. I met a man on an airplane once who told me a small business should be just that, Small. He said less than 6 employees is ideal and I find this to be very true. With more employees, scheduling is more of an issue. I don’t have to worry about things like that now.
Do you think you would ever want to step away and be more of a passive owner?
Absolutely not. I love what I do. If I didn’t want to do this anymore, I would just sell my shop. This line of work is not very profitable without being hands on so it wouldn’t be worth it that way.
Why do you love your job?
It’s fun! It’s not just about styling hair it’s about inspiring people’s lives. Making them feel beautiful but also really getting to know them and talk to them while they’re in my chair.
Accentuation, Inc. is located at:
2228 State Road, in Plymouth, MA.
You can contact them via:
Phone: 508-888-2687
Email: Accentuationinc@gmail.com
Website: www.accentuationinc.com
Instagram: @jennshairpage