"You need a good team behind the scenes-lawyers, architects, people who know the business, marketing" with Edward Tricomi
Legendary Warren-Tricomi Salons co-founder Edward Tricomi is known for demanding excellence in everything he does. The roots (no pun intended) of his renowned career began after a suggestion from his sister that he try cutting hair to supplement his income as a musician. Decades later, Edward is perhaps the most iconic and influential hair historian of our era. He has worked for years designing hair for fashion shows including Valentino, Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Gianfranco Ferre, Emanuel Ungaro, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, and Ralph Lauren.
Can you tell our readers about your background?
I started out as a musician and was around 17 or 18 years old and I needed a spare job. My sister and my cousin were hairdressers and my sister suggested it would be a job I could do without it taking the time up with my music.
What inspired you to start your business?
At the time I had just gotten married and had a child and I didn't want to always be commuting since I was a freelancer.
Where is your business based?
Our flagship location is at The Plaza Hotel along with 5 other locations in New York City and we have 9 international salons.
How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?
One of my first jobs was for a Vogue shoot and got interested in architecture from photographer Deborah Turbeville - the design for our location on 57th was an homage to her since she was into stucco and distressed buildings. I wanted to make them not look like hair salons, but to engage all your senses.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?
Be at the forefront of technology and social media - we had one of the first websites in the country. If you believe in art, the money will follow like a shadow.
What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?
Over the years, learning how to manage the people who became my employees. With over 20 salons all over the world, luckily I only have to directly manage the 6 locations in the New York area. Keeping up with the maintenance of all the salons can also be challenging.
Now- Manhattan salons are the hardest hit by the current pandemic 30-40% of the population in the city has left the area and most of the clientele have the means to be away for long periods of time. We’ve gone above and beyond the recommended guidelines - from UV lights in our air filtration systems and employees wearing PPE and getting tested every 14 days - you can operate on someone in here and not get an infection! Getting back to business is the current challenge.
How do you stay focused?
Hard work! I made the decision to be the best in the world and put everything I have into it.
How do you differentiate your business from the competition?
I've always stood out in my life, even when I was a musician. I studied the history of hair, fashion, architecture, you name it. My grandfather was a fashion designer and my father was an engineer, so I grown with a different perspective on the way I view hair than my competition. For cutting hair, you have to have the ability that works with everything involved - especially on a set. I call it the ‘hip-ness factor’ - what the client is wearing, their personal style, lifestyle, face structure, and what types of styling the hair itself can handle.
What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?
Being on social media.
What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
You need a good team behind the scenes - lawyers, architects, people who know the business, marketing. You need to learn how to manage people, how you speak and teach them, and how to teach the people in your chair. Create an environment of excellence where your people can thrive, and where everyone can work together.
What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?
Google and Pinterest have hundreds of styles from all over the world. It will remind me of different styles and techniques and is a source of inspiration for future projects.
What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?
Read a lot, stay educated, and learn from the people around you even if they have a different background than your business area. From reading about Thomas Edison and Bruce Lee, and even from my father’s engineering background I’ve learned to have as few moving parts as possible to the way I work and my business to make sure everything runs effectively.
Who is your business role model? Why?
Vidal Sassoon - We were raising money for the damage done by hurricane Katrina, and Vidal told me that I was the most natural hair cutter he’s ever seen - it was very kind of him and I will never forget it.
How do you balance work and life?
Now I am working more behind the scenes, but make sure to give yourself a break every once in a while. Before I would have 30-40 clients a day but I would make sure to give myself a couple of days or a week to recharge.
What’s your favorite way to decompress?
Music is still a passion - I create something every day, and I’m now working on a new product line and writing a TV series.
What do you have planned for the next six months?
The upcoming product line and the TV series I'm working on.
How can our readers connect with you?
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Linkedin
Instagram: @warrentricomi
Twitter: @WarrenTricomi
Facebook: Warren Tricomi Salon
Linkedin: Warren Tricomi Salon