Meet Hilary DeGidio | Curly Hair Specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hilary DeGidio and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hilary, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I had always considered starting my own business as a “someday” goal. I was working as a hairstylist at Ulta when some changes were happening that I was at odds with. I started looking into opening a salon suite, and toured a few places. Once I went to Luxame Salon Studios (formerly Muze Salon Suites), I just had a feeling that I would be at home as an independent stylist there. I signed a lease and opened August 1st 2019. Luxame was very helpful in having lists of things that needed to be done to start a business.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I started as a hairstylist because of how much I had struggled with my own hair growing up. I think my own personal story of not knowing how to care for my hair and setting out to find solutions helps my clients feel less alone. Starting a business is never easy, but I have been fortunate to find myself in a niche market with high demand! Two of my biggest challenges were finding work/life balance as a solo stylist. It’s easy to book appointments, harder to maintain relationships with friends and family and finding time for self care. I went through periods of 50-60 hour work weeks behind the chair, and experienced mental and physical burnout. I injured my elbows overworking myself and wound up needing four surgeries to return to work pain free. Shifting from working constantly to canceling all appointments for 6 months to get surgery and recover was a huge challenge. Resuming work after surgeries and trying to find and maintain that balance of helping as many people with their curls as I can, while keeping myself heathy is where I find myself now.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Slow Pour Brewing Company in Downtown Lawrenceville, Danji Korean fusion restaurant in Buford, WEI Authentic Chinese restaurant in Buford, Local Republic in downtown Lawrenceville and The Deer and The Dove in Decatur are some of my favorite places to eat and drink! I also love kayaking at Fort Yargo state park in Winder! I love being outdoors and spend a lot of time at Little Mulberry Park and Rabbit Hill Park in Dacula. Tubing down the Chattahoochee river or hiking at Tallulah Falls are other destinations I would suggest! For some relaxation, I love SpaLand in Duluth.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My biggest support has always been my husband Andrew DeGidio. He believed in my passion and knew that I could accomplish starting a successful business doing what I love to do! Having a partner that believes in me has been paramount to launching my career as an independent stylist. I would also like to thank my former manager at Ulta Lisa Marshall who helped me build a clientele and learn the business behind just doing hair. The Curly Hair Community has also been a source of encouragement and confirmation that there is a huge need for curl specialists!

Website: https://curls-by-hilary.square.site

Instagram: instagram.com/curlsbyhilary

Facebook: facebook.com/curlsbyhilary

Image Credits
Kat Bonilla, Kat Bonilla Photography