By MARIA GESEK
Contributing Writer
A new salon named The Styling Firm Barbering and Hair Care Studio opened at 1080 Madison Ave. next to Trustco Bank in Albany. The store is owned and managed by a husband and wife team, Freddie and Serriah Johnson.
This studio caters to both male and female clients and it is the only natural hair care salon in the Albany area, which sets it apart from the others. The shop offers barbering, haircuts, natural hair styling, facial cuts, nail art, manicures, pedicures, permanents, and full salon services. This is the first location and brand new start for The Styling Firm.
Before settling down in Albany, this husband and wife had separate careers. Serriah Johnson had her own natural hair care shop in Baltimore and Freddie Johnson worked as a barber at Crossgates Mall. Both had been in the hair care business for quite a while.
Freddie Johnson was working professionally since 1996 and Serriah Johnson since 1998. They decided that if they owned one place and worked together, it would be a better investment for them. Freddie Johnson does the barbering for the shop while Serriah Johnson emphasizes her work in natural hair care. They found it was better working together.
The shop also has one other barber, one barber’s apprentice, and two cosmetologists. They enjoy the atmosphere inside the store and they offer twice as many services in one location.
“[Freddie] is my partner for life… and I love working with him,” said Serriah Johnson.
The natural hair care services that Serriah Johnson offers are distinguished for ethnic women. She shows ethnic women: African American, biracial, or Latino, ways that they can style their natural hair without adding chemicals, weaves, or extensions to it.
This typical helps woman with kinky or curly texture to their hair, especially those who may have trouble knowing how to style it. Serriah Johnson encourages women to take out the extensions and stay away from the chemicals, and learn to love the hair you have. She also does defining to braids, dreadlocks, weaves, extensions, or curls.
“We want to style your hair the healthiest way we can do it,” Serriah said.
Their salon has a strong emphasis on healthy hair care. Their business offers consults before and after your appointment. They give a home care regimen to keep your hair looking its best and they also let you know when to come back. The shop also has a culturally diverse family atmosphere. It is unisex and all ages from children to the elderly and everything in between.
The couple had looked at many locations before deciding on the Madison Avenue store. This was the best store for them because the large amount of foot traffic in the area and the close proximity to the college campuses.
To help get the word out about their new store, the couple has a special events and promotions. Each quarter they hold a natural hair show. It is a fun event where they have musical performances, questions and answer sessions, and giveaways. The next show is planned for this month.
They also have promotions such as $10 haircuts for college students. To help with the publicity of their business Serriah Johnson has opened a Facebook page, makes flyers, writes the advertisements, and press releases.
“She handles all the advertising for our business, she does a great job at getting the word out,” Freddie Johnson said.
The Styling Firm is open Monday through Saturday from 9a.m. to 7p.m. Business has been healthy since the shop opened in August.
“Business has been great and we hope for the best,” Serriah Johnson said.
