Featuring a Fellow Media, PA Business!
As a thriving small business in a wonderful neighborhood, we are incredibly thankful for our loyal clients in and around the town of Media!
The events of the past year showed us first hand just how difficult it can be to maintain a business and thrive through major adversity. Most small businesses were affected and some were only able to stay open thanks to the massive support of their local communities.
Hair salons and barber shops were among the kinds of small businesses that got hit hard during the pandemic so, in an effort to show our love and support, we wanted to select an awesome local business to shine a spotlight on: Giovanni’s Barber Shop located at 18 S Olive St in Media, PA.
We caught up with owner and artist, Nicole Missino D’Annunzio, and photographed her team at work and in our studio.
Here’s what she had to say about the joys and challenges of being a boss and small business owner!
Q: What inspired you to start your own business?
A: I had been a barber for several years. I was working at The Art of Shaving and thought it was time to be my own boss. I wanted to teach others the craft that I perfected over the last several years.
Q: What inspires your work and what sets you apart from everyone else?
A: We currently do a ton of facial shaving. Most barber shops nowadays don’t do shaving anymore or even want to. Getting a proper face shave is a real treat and we feel that everyone should experience one in their lifetime.
Q: What is your background and how did you develop the skills to start your
business?
A: I currently hold several licenses: my cosmetology, my barbers, my barber manager and my barber shop license. I also have a BS in business administration; I wrote my business plan years ago while in college.
Q: What has been your biggest success to date?
A: My biggest success was being able to grow my business. We currently have 7 barbers and I have plans to partner with another barber to open location #2 in the near future.
Q: What has been your biggest challenge?
A: My biggest challenge was being closed for 10 weeks and trying to help all my employees get funds to pay bills and eat. When we defied the order and opened on May 20, 2020 I was terrified of what would happen but I had to do something. I took a huge risk of losing my business and my licenses forever, but if I was going down, I was going down fighting. We had so much support and we thankfully made it through it.
Q: Describe your typical work day.
A: I love what I do so I don’t consider it work. If you love what you do you don’t ever work a day in your life. A typical day is me getting together with my family and creating hair art.
Q: Can you describe your team?
A: My team is my family! Anyone I bring on becomes part of something awesome. We are all super close, we have outings together, we take vacations together, we have diners together.
Q: Can you describe your clients?
A: My clients also become part of the Giovanni’s family. Lots of my clients have been with me for years, when they sit down in my chair we have great conversations about life and what’s going on with our families.
Q: What is your favorite part of going to work each day?
A: When I go to work everyday I’m with the people I love and I know they love me back. I’m rewarded everyday by watching my employees advance in what they do since we are always learning.
Q: Which small businesses are you inspired by?
A: Honestly, I’m inspired by all small businesses. I try to shop local and support all the small businesses that I can. Our country runs on small businesses.
Q: Who or what has been your biggest support system?
A: My biggest support system is my family, my husband, my son and my dad. They were there to help me in the beginning and they still continue to do so. My husband helps with painting and some maintenance. My son comes in and helps out with towels and sweeping when he can. My dad helped me for two years look for a location, he also does maintenance for me when needed.
Q: If you could go back to the beginning knowing what you know now, what would
you have done differently?
A: I don’t think I would do anything differently. The barber shop has been a huge success.
Q: What’s your best advice for someone who wants to start their own business?
A: Do it! It’s very rewarding. It’s stressful but the pay off in the end is amazing. Get yourself a good team and you will succeed because you get to watch each of them succeed as well.
Q: Where do you see your business in the next 5 years?
A: In the next 5 years I hope to have a second shop with one of my team members.
[email protected]
(610) 228-0363
18 S Olive St,
Media, PA 19063
