We were lucky to catch up with Chloe Dimond recently and have shared our conversation below.

Chloe , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

When I opened my shop when I was 24 years old, with no business experience and I had only worked in a barbershop for two years prior to that. When I started my shop I remember I had to start working immediately. I had spent all my money putting the shop together with no savings to fall on, so it was really one of those do or die moments where I could only succeed or fail. I had to wait a few days to get all the licensing together so I was cutting my close friends/clients behind a station away from the front door, just to ensure I started bringing money in as fast as possible. I knew I could get in trouble if the state walked in but I knew I would be in bigger trouble if I couldn’t pay my rent. My clients were amazing, they tipped me incredibly generous amounts and everyone showed up to show support, I felt so surrounded by love and still remember every single person who helped me. Whether they showed up at 5 am to help me put together furniture for the grand opening or got a haircut every week to help me succeed. I’m grateful for each and every person, because without them I might have failed the first month.

Chloe , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Chloe Dimond, I own the Black Diamond Barbershop, we are located in Sugarhouse and have been in business for 7 years. I created my shop with a vision to create an experience that goes beyond a haircut, somewhere that my clients can relax while also getting pampered. Each service has been carefully crafted down to every detail, from the oils we use to enhance the blow dry, or the numbers of hot towels to reach that peak level of relaxation. Our shaves are so much more than just your typical shave. We have created a program that focuses on the areas of the face that hold tension, and ways to open the pours with our products to get the smoothest most relaxing shave possible. Our cuts are custom fit to every clients needs and my team is constantly growing/educating themselves to stay relevant and ready for whoever sits in their chair. We are consistently opening ourselves up to new products or different ways to better our services so we can always create the best possible service for our clients. I opened my barbershop in Sugarhouse because I wanted to be in an inclusive neighborhood. I know it can be hard to find a barbershop where you feel comfortable, and for some people even safe. I wanted a space where anyone knew they were welcome, no matter their gender identity, race, background, whatever, we have room for everyone. I’ve created a space for open conversations but I want more than anything for our community to walk into our shop and leave whatever is going on in the world at the door. Which after the last two years that has never been more needed. We dont do gender specific services, because short hair isnt just more men, and we arent only serving two genders anymore. It just circles back to making sure when people see our menu they know that there is something there for them. We are creating a space for people to just be exactly who they want to be and to leave looking exactly the way they envision themselves.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best source of new clients is good old fashion word of mouth, our referrals are completely organic. I’m so grateful that our clients refer us to their friends and families. We create relationships with people, where someone walks in and every barber says “hello” because we’ve all seen each other 100 times. We have families, and friend groups who come in. It so great getting to see the community of people we have worked with over the past 7 years. Some of my clients have been with me for my entire career, and some of them have just started this year. It been so great to see people in my barbers chairs and watching them grow in the same organic way.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Growing up in my family we didnt have allot, I grew up in a multi family unit with a single mom who worked really hard to provide for us. So to say the least work ethic was ingrained into us from an early age as a way of survival. When I opened my shop I worked 60+ physical hours a week, that didnt include marketing, paperwork ect… 6 months into my first year in business I found out I was pregnant with my daughter. I knew in that moment that I never wanted her to see my struggle, I wanted her to grow up with stability and to be honest I really just wanted her to be a care free kid. So I worked every day and saved as much as I could, I went into labor at work during a color service. I was literally doing labor breaths through the blow dry praying my client couldnt hear me while I was having contractions. I had a few people tell me that having a child would completely derail my plan. Little did I know at the time, having a child in that first year was the best motivation I could have been given. Showing up everyday, in a way, is like showing up for her. It shows her that she can make her dreams come true no matter what and I’m grateful to say that we dont struggle. I feel so grateful that I get to provide for her by doing something that I love everyday.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.blackdiamondbarbershop.com
• Instagram: Chloe_Dimond
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackdiamondbarbershop/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-dimond-31a614108/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/black-diamond-barbershop-and-salon-salt-lake-city
• Other: @blackdiamondbarbershopandsalon

Image Credits
Rob Norbutt @infinityphotorob