Going Cleaner and Greener

FIRST ESTABLISHED IN 1997 BY HAIRDRESSER DANNY LARRY, THE SALON CHAIR GUYS CREATED AN AFFORDABLE BUSINESS TO SELL, SERVICE, REPAIR, AND RESTORE SALON AND BARBER FURNITURE. OVER THE YEARS, THE COMPANY HAS GROWN AND EVOLVED. THE BUSINESS HAS BEEN GIVEN A NEW LIFE BY DANNY’S SON, DANIEL JOHNSON. WE SPOKE TO DANIEL ABOUT THE SALON CHAIR GUYS' MISSION TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY IN THE BARBERING AND BEAUTY INDUSTRY.

To start, I asked Daniel to share the history of The Salon Chair Guys' business and legacy. He explained: “My father owned a barbershop/salon in San Diego in the ‘80s and ‘90s and I would work with him during some summers growing up. He always complained about how no one was around to help barbershop and salon owners maintain equipment after it was sold. So, in ‘97, after 20 years of hairdressing, he decided to quit hair and we focused on salon equipment repair until 2008 when we closed the doors. In 2016 My close friend, Brian Moses, and I decided to reopen the business as The Salon Chair Guys.

“As the co-owner of The Salon Chair Guys, our company offers eco-friendly and reliable repair and maintenance services for salon and barber equipment. We believe in empowering salon and barber professionals by providing them with the necessary tools and knowledge to take care of their equipment, leading to a more enjoyable and profitable business experience.

“We aim to be a leading provider of ecofriendly salon and barber equipment repair and maintenance products that help professionals improve their businesses while reducing their environmental impact. By staying committed to sustainability and restoration, we are set to make a positive impact on the barber and salon industry for years to come.”

I asked Daniel why sustainability is so important to him and to The Salon Chair Guys business. He said: “Sustainability is crucial to me and my business because I believe in doing our part to reduce waste and protect the environment. We have a responsibility to leave the planet better than we found it, and that means taking steps to minimize our impact on the environment.

“We also promote sustainability through the use of eco-friendly products and responsible disposal of equipment. We believe in encouraging our clients to take care of their equipment, so it lasts longer, which reduces the need for new purchases and ultimately decreases the amount of waste in landfills. In addition, we offer a line of eco-friendly cleaners specifically designed for use on salon chairs, which are formulated with natural ingredients and are free from harsh chemicals that can be harmful to the environment.

“By promoting sustainable practices and offering eco-friendly solutions, we hope to inspire our clients and other professionals in the industry to take action towards a more sustainable future. We believe that through small steps and collective efforts, we can make a positive impact on the environment while still providing high-quality services to our clients.”

The Salon Chair Guys are part of a network of businesses in the barbering and beauty sector that are dedicated to sustainability. I asked Daniel to tell us a few of the other businesses they admire.

He said: “One of our best partners in the quest to make our industry more sustainable is Sustain Beauty Co, Val, and Paul have been valuable partners in this endeavor, and they strive to bring sustainability and sustainable products to the forefront. We have recently collaborated with them to create a sustainable salon/barber shop checklist, and I would encourage your readers to go to their website to check it out.

“We also highly respect Green Circle Salons for the work that they do in making recycling effortless in our industry. They provide an invaluable service to salons and barber shops in multiple countries.

“Belvedere Maletti has been a strong partner of ours since the beginning of our company and we look forward to working with them in the future to expand their line of sustainable options in salon furniture. We would love to design a completely eco-friendly barber and salon chair in the future.”

Finally, I asked Daniel why he believes it is so important for barbers and barbershop owners to start implementing some of these sustainable practices. He said: “It's important for barbers and barbershop owners to start implementing sustainable practices for several reasons. First and foremost, taking steps towards sustainability can help reduce their environmental impact and contribute to a healthier planet. This is not only beneficial to the barbershop, but also to the wider community and future generations. Additionally, by embracing sustainable practices, barbers can save money in the long run by reducing waste and minimizing the use of resources like water and energy. Finally, in today's increasingly ecoconscious society, promoting sustainability can also help to attract and retain clients who value environmentally responsible businesses.”

BY JOSEPH, RUM BARBER