Ep # 179 - How A Lodi Hair Salon Stays Relevant After 35 Years

A great haircut looks effortless, but the work behind it is anything but. We’re joined by Chris Marino and Annie Mees of Headhunters Salon in Lodi, New Jersey, a 35-year mainstay that’s still busy in an industry where trends, products, and client expectations change fast. They share how Chris went from a stylist with a line out the door to building a salon that has lasted in the same location for decades, and why staying “good” is never enough if you stop learning.

We dig into the reality of modern hair trends and how they echo the past: big 80s styles, grunge straight hair, the return of perms, and today’s shags and wolf cuts. Annie explains why continuing education matters, from mastering color with Goldwell to brand education with GK Hair, and how a stylist’s job is part technique and part translation. A client might ask for a trend name, but their hair type, face shape, and daily routine decide what will actually work.

Then we get practical about what keeps a local service business healthy: clear consultation, honest communication during the cut or color, and a plan for busy seasons like weddings, graduations, communions, and prom. Chris and Annie also talk staffing challenges after COVID and how salon marketing shifted from pure word of mouth to a real social media presence on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, plus community involvement and online booking.

If you care about finding a trusted Lodi NJ hair salon, or you’re a business owner trying to stay relevant for the long haul, this conversation is packed with grounded advice. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s due for a cut, and leave a review so more neighbors can find the show.

Headhunters Salon
Chris Marino & Annie Mees
100 Church st, Lodi, NJ 07644
(973) 916-1636
[email protected]
Website