We recently connected with Dottie Salamone and have shared our conversation below.

Dottie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Alright, let’s take a stroll on memory lane, back to when you were an apprentice or intern. What’s a memorable story from that time that you can share with us?

Back when I first became a hair stylist, my mentor used to take me to see hair shows as part of my apprenticeship. One of her great influences, Christopher Dove, would headline some of the shows that we would attend. She would often compare some of the work I did to some of his, and thought it would be inspiring for me to see him work live. Fast forward about 15 years into my career I found myself working side by side with Christopher and his husband John, I had a moment one evening where I asked Christopher if I could geek out, and tell him a story. I shared with him how my mentor brought me to all of his shows, and that I couldn’t believe I was working with one of my idols. It was such a wonderful moment to see my career come full circle. I will always be forever grateful for all of the wonderful mentors that helped mold me into the stylist I am today.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I’ve been fortunate to turn a longtime hobby of mine into a wonderful career. I became a hair stylist in 2002. I’ve been a salon business owner for the last 10 years. I spent many years as an educator teaching cutting and styling on stages and in salons across the US. I currently operate a salon called Hair By Dot in Chicago. I specialize in short razor cuts, shags, curly hair, classic cuts for men and creative color. I often describe my clientele as “low maintenance people with high maintenance hair.” I’m all about the details. I try my hardest to give my clients a cut that will style itself and a color that will look beautiful even as it fades. I’m quite an empath, and I want the experience of having your hair done to be as comfortable as possible. I try to read my clients as best as I can and tailor each experience to their needs. It’s not just about your hair. I want my clients to feel comfortable explaining their hair goals, and I don’t want to just rush people in and out of my chair. I think being sensitive sets me apart from other people in my industry. My clients tend to be a bit more on the introverted side. I think that getting your hair done can be a bit of a sensory overload to some people. I take pride in being able to adapt to my client’s needs. I love teaching people about their hair. I’ve had so many clients think that they can only wear their hair one way. It’s my favorite to help people discover new styles, and help them reach new levels of confidence.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In January 2022 I decided to open a new salon. I chose a cute storefront and inquired if the space was zoned properly to be a hair salon. I got the thumbs up from the property management and began some basic renovations. When I went to Chicago City Hall to acquire my business license and building permits I was denied. The space was in fact not zoned properly to be a hair salon. I then did some research and began the process of getting a “special use” permit. This process had multiple steps including sending out letters to any business or residence within 250 feet of the salon. You needed financial statements from the building owners, and you also had to attend a public hearing to make sure that everyone within those 250 feet were ok with you opening your business. I had all the information that I needed to get the permit, and I hit another bump in the process. The building management refused to give their financial statements to the city. At this point I had to trust my gut and start my business else where. I lost some money in the process, but the very next month Covid began spreading. March 1, 2020 I was able to secure a space at Salon Lofts in the Chicago neighborhood, Lincoln Square. By the end of March the city was on a mandated lockdown. I was so grateful that I was able to change gears and find such a lovely space to have my salon. It ended up being the perfect scenario to rent a loft and work solo during the pandemic.

Can you talk to us about your experience with selling businesses?

I had a salon for 5 years that I owned with a partner. One thing that I can’t stress enough is to have everything in writing. Having a clear exit strategy is just as important as having a business plan. My partner and I came up with a 5 year exit plan. We both agreed that we didn’t know exactly where or what we would be doing in 5 years. We wrote up an agreement on the amount that we would either sell the business, or buy out each other’s share. This was super helpful when I decided to go solo in my career. I was able to exit the business without disrupting their operations.

Contact Info:

• Website: dottie-salamone.com
• Instagram: @HairbyDot
• Youtube: @dottiesalamone2708
• Yelp: Hair By Dot

Image Credits
Michelle Kaffko Chris Murphy Amanda Lancour