Felice Valvano — co-owner of Valvano Salon in St. Catharines, Ontario — shares the story of how his family-run salon has defied trends, avoided the chair-rental model, and thrived for over 25 years.
In this episode, Felice reveals the systems behind the success: an in-house education program that trains every stylist in both skill and communication, monthly performance reviews that turn goals into motivation, and a transparent “scoreboard” that keeps the entire team accountable and inspired.
He also talks about creating Valvano and BLOW, two hair-care lines designed with wellness and sustainability in mind — products built for professionals, clients, and the planet alike.
But beyond the business, Felice’s passion is people. He reminds us that hairstyling is more than a service — it’s a career that builds confidence, connection, and community. His message to young professionals? The world of hair is one of the last great creative industries where you can build a future, touch lives, and have fun doing it.
HairStory is sponsored by Preempt & Prevention – Great Hair Begins with a Great Chair.
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