Scissorium Salon, the petit hair salon on Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors, has been taken over by entrepreneur Lorenzo Littlefield. The Florida Agenda sat down with him to talk business, community and change.
How long have you been here? What brought you to South Florida?
I have been here for 18 years. I came down from Maine for the weather. It is far too cold up there! I have worked part time at Scissorium Salon for the past 13 years; I was one of their first employees.
Please tell Agenda readers about your business.
We are a full-service hair salon. We have recently become a Redken Salon. – meaning we now use only Redken 5th Avenue products. I think it is important for a salon to be attached to a high-end brand because of the education it provides the staff. We currently have five full-time stylists.
How long have you had your business and how is it going?
Well I took over the salon two months ago. The owners came to me and said they were selling and I decided to go for it. I have been in corporate America, but my passion was and is still for hairdressing. It is going really well. All the staff have stayed on board and the owners are still part of the business for the next year to ensure a smooth transition for our customers. I would like them to stay longer! Business is going very well; we are doing a lot of networking. I am quite well known in the community and I have a big mouth! I have been telling everyone about me taking over.
How have you changed the salon?
Well, in addition to branding it, we are slowly making changes to modernize the salon further. The branding is so important for us and our customers.
Would you consider expanding into a chain?
Yes, that is the ultimate idea, it may never happen. But that is what I would like to do with the salon in the future.
How do you feel you are different from other salons?
My passion. I don’t know the other owners of salons in the area, but I am sure my passion differentiates our salon from others.
Have you always wanted to be in the hair business?
Yes, I trained in Maine and got additional experience shadowing stylists in the area. However the reality of corporate America called and I answered mainly for the benefits, yet I always maintained a part-time position at Scissorium Salon. I loved it too much to give it up totally.
How would you identify your management approach? Iron Fist or more Flexible?
I would definitely say flexible. Obviously when you have a business you have to know everything that’s going on, and sometimes you have to put your foot down, but on the whole, flexible.
What do you feel about the idea that the summer season is slow? How do you combat this pressure?
We consistently give quality service and we try and cater to the locals all year round. This is really what a business has to do; we don’t really survive solely through the tourist dollars, so we aren’t as affected by the season change.
In your lifetime how do you feel the gay community has changed?
I feel we are a much closer-knit community and that we are so lucky to have more organizations and people who are prepared to get involved in the causes that affect us. It has definitely changed and evolved for the better.
Do you see a positive change in attitudes towards the gay community?
Yes, in the 18 years since I have been out, without question. Even more so down here. I think people have a more open attitude towards gay people and gay issues here in South Florida.
Scissorium Salon is located at 2405 N Dixie Hwy., Wilton Manors, FL 33305 and appointments can be made by calling (954) 563-1981. Their hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
