We were lucky to catch up with Magdalena Ryczko recently and have shared our conversation below.

Magdalena , appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

The idea for Hairrari came from a desire to create a space that truly transcends the traditional, gendered norms of salons and barbershops. Both spaces, in my experience, felt limiting, and I saw an opportunity to bridge the gap and offer something unique—a welcoming, inclusive environment where people could feel at home, like walking into a friend’s living room, and receive a haircut without any judgment or rigid boundaries.
It felt important to me that Hairrari not charge by gender but rather by factors that genuinely impact the service—like the length, creativity, and time spent on a haircut. This approach was designed to be more inclusive, especially for non-binary and gender-diverse individuals who often find themselves forced into uncomfortable boxes in traditional barbershop or salon settings. Charging by gender just didn’t make sense to me; it felt arbitrary and outdated. By shifting the focus to the style and effort involved, I could create an experience that felt fair, respectful, and aligned with the values I wanted the business to represent.
Beyond the logistics, though, the heart of Hairrari lies in a broader mission. In our society, so many groups—queer, trans, non-binary people—face discrimination and ignorance, especially around issues like pronoun use. As a queer person, I felt a responsibility to create a space that not only provided haircuts but actively worked to challenge these societal biases. This is why we take the time to educate our clientele and staff on pronouns and inclusive practices. I wanted Hairrari to stand as a place of support and respect, where everyone is welcome exactly as they are.
Seeing how many people resonate with this approach is a constant reminder of why I knew this was a worthwhile endeavor. Hairrari isn’t just a barbershop—it’s a safe space and a small step toward a more inclusive world, and that’s what excites me every day.

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 enrolled in cosmetology school about a year after high school, unsure of my path. I’d always been drawn to art, music, and film, and a friend suggested hair as a creative career that could offer a steady income—everyone needs haircuts, after all! After graduating, I worked in around 12 different salons across NYC and Westchester, mainly assisting. Many places promised training but never delivered, so I spent nearly two years mostly sweeping floors and shampooing. The turning point came when, in one week, I was fired from two jobs. Determined to try something new, I applied to a barbershop in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, a trendy area that felt vibrant and inspiring. That experience sparked my real passion for hair, and I knew I’d found my niche. Four years later, I opened Hairrari Williamsburg (aka Manetamed) then Hairrari Bushwick and after that Hairrari East Village and Los Angeles.
Starting out, I wasn’t fully trained, so I relied on instructional videos to improve my skills. I’d watch them every day, take notes, and test new techniques on clients. The response was immediate—clients noticed the difference in my work. As a barber and stylist, I’ve always felt that offering clients the best possible haircut and service is paramount, and I never stop honing my skills. When I began hiring others, I faced challenges finding barbers who were consistent in their craft. To address this, I created a Hairrari training program, which brought a new level of consistency to our business. We train new barbers from scratch or help them refine their skills if they need it. To support this, we offer free or pay-what-you-want haircuts for the community, and people love it—many become loyal clients.
Beyond the shop, we engage with our community through events like party pop-ups, church haircuts, pride celebrations, office haircutting events, and even offering haircuts at festivals.. Giving back has always been a core value for us, and I believe that caring for our community has helped foster true brand loyalty.
Today, Hairrari is known for its expertise in both classic short cuts and edgy, creative styles—whether it’s a mullet, shag, or bold color. People come to us for hair that stands out, for something a little outside the box. We’re passionate about staying open to new trends, classic or creative, and welcoming all styles.
To help spread our message of inclusivity, we created the Hairrari product line with taglines like “Gay is Ok” and “We’re Here, We’re Queer.” One of our signature products is Gay Spray, and one of best sellers is our Lesbian Haircuts T-shirt which we hope resonate with kids in places that might not be as accepting as New York. My hope is that seeing our brand online or on a shelf gives them a sense of belonging and acceptance. A little visibility can go a long way, and we’re excited to keep growing Hairrari’s reach and impact.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

My partnership with Sara-Olivia Granberger (she,her) began as an instant connection. She joined Hairrari in 2018, and right from the start, her energy and passion brought so much positivity to the shop. We quickly became close friends, bonded by a shared vision and dedication to Hairrari’s mission. Sara-Olivia truly saw the value in what we were creating for our community and each other, and she would often say she never wanted to work anywhere else.

In 2021, when she moved to Los Angeles, she came to me with a bold idea—she wanted us to open a Hairrari location together on the West Coast. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and I knew this was the right step for us both. That’s how Hairrari LA was born, and it’s been incredible to see the brand thrive in a whole new city, thanks to our shared vision and her unwavering dedication.

(Magda’s pronouns is (she,her) btw. )

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I truly believe in continuous learning—to become a better manager, a skilled hairstylist, and more adept at social media, which I see as essential in today’s world. Having a brand is a 24/7 responsibility; it requires constant maintenance and evolution. Styles change, and everything can grow stale over time, so if we don’t evolve, people will lose interest. Staying relevant means staying engaged, adapting, and growing with the times.
I’m fortunate to work with an incredible branding director, Nicie Mok from Big Len (@MeetBigLen), who brings our brand vision to life across our visual content, product design, and social media, ensuring a cohesive and engaging presence. She also plays a crucial role in maintaining shop standards, keeping our aesthetic fresh and aligned with our values.
Our training program emphasizes upholding these values—respecting pronouns, listening to our team, and fostering an environment where everyone is happy and feels they’re growing. This commitment to both our clients and our crew is what keeps Hairrari vibrant and true to its mission.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.Hairrari.com
• Instagram: @hairraribarber @hairrarila @shophairrari
• Facebook: Hairrari East Village, Manetamed Williamsburg, Hairrari Bushwick
• Twitter: Hairrari
• Other: tik tok – Hairrarinyc and HairrariLA

Image Credits

Photo of Sara and me- Yellow Shirt and laughing- PC: Pat Martin – Last photo

Star hair design , longer hair- PC: @magnoliaellenburg Model: @Reggiepear

Rest are Hairrari photos from Hairrari instagram @Hairraribarber @HairrariLa

Group photo with @Kelleyheyer doing the Apple dance with us.

Included a bunch for you to choose from!