Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/410828
Business ne 38 nshoremag.com December 2014 salon on Commonwealth Avenue in Bos- ton, Ciampa was made a manager of his company's new Lexington location. After only two years, his popularity preceded him; clients waited for up to four months to book an appointment. In 1972, ready to take the next step, Ciampa founded his own salon in Win- chester with the help of his wife and brother-in-law Vincenzo Siniscalco. "For me, family and business are one and the same. I wouldn't be where I am today without them," Ciampa says. "My sons Joe and Philip help run the business side of things, and my son Tony is an excel- lent, experienced hairstylist." Philip's son Joe Ciampa adds, "All of us sit down together regularly and talk about ways to improve the company. We make a point to maintain great personal relationships with each other and with all our employ- ees." Both Joe and Philip regularly visit and meet clients at each of the salon's four locations in Wakefield, Lexington, Andover, and Winchester. "My father's not just a name to our employees," ex- plains Joe. "He's a person they know and trust. There's a lot of turnover in the hair- dressing business, but we don't experi- ence that nearly as much as other salons because our employees become a part of our family." Philip adds, "It's all about trust and respect. My family and our employees all have different voices—we don't always agree, but we respect each other and incorporate everyone's ideas." The salon's commitment to education is yet another reason employees remain excited, engaged, and creative. Ciampa's new employees begin as assistants to experienced stylists, while attending a weekly class that allows them to develop their skills and learn new styles and trends. "Hairdressing school is necessary, but it really only gives new stylists the most basic skills," explains Joe. "An aspir- ing stylist's real education begins at the salon. We have a stylist with over 30 years of experience who teaches our new em- ployees different techniques. At the end of each year, new stylists demonstrate Father and Son The Ciampas have grown the business to four salons now. Below, Christina Delmonico cuts with precision.