Meet Dominique DiBenedetto | Salon Owner / Luxury Hair Stylist

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

Hi Dominique, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I knew that I wanted a place where I could be social , create and have fun. Being independent in a salon suite for so long I craved that interaction with colleagues and missing the salon buzz. I had a lot of time to think about how I wanted this salon to be. I wanted to create a fun and safe and open culture.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have been in this industry a long time and it’s changing and evolving more now than it ever has . My career curerently has a lot of moving parts and I find myself wearing a lot of hats.. salon owner, educator , colorist and leader. I love doing them all because it fills my cup up in different ways and I never seem to get bored. I feel like the last 15 years just flew by.. and I want to enjoy the ride more for the next 15 and thereafter. I’m going more into education and I have partnered with Redken and have just been added to their educator roster and I’m SUPER excited to see where this takes me and how I can serve others that are coming into the industry . I feel we need to pay it forward and help whoever we can. I know from coming up the past 15 years I wish I had a leader or mentor to help me Or just be there to bounce ideas off of. And that’s what I hope to be for the next generation of stylists . I want people To understand that getting here takes a lot of sacrifice , self awareness and willingness to learn, I feel that’s why I’m where I’m at currently . I have stayed up to date on taking as many classes that were at my disposal and soaking up as much as I could. I have learned to jump Out of my comfort zone , say yes to everything , always look things as an
Opportunity to grow !! My salon is run the same way, we all teach each other things, accept feedback and come
Out of our comfort zones!!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Honestly , I’m very lucky I have an amazing support system. My team honestly is the fire that keeps me going. When I see them reaching goals, perfecting their craft , coming into their own it makes me know I’m doing the right thing. They support me , respect me and work so hard!! I’m nothing without them.

Also my husband , he is my biggest cheerleader and pushes To be better. He sometimes believes in me more than I do. He is that person that shuts me down when I doubt myself. He gets me. He understands the late nights , the continuous work load and always lets me know it’s okay. He never makes me feel guilty and that really helps. If I didn’t have him in my corner a lot of what I have accomplished could have never happened.

Website: Aurahaircompany@gmail.com

Instagram: @ Aurahairco @hairbydomd

Youtube: Hair by Dom

Image Credits
Self taken