Denise Deitz struggled for years to find a hair salon that could provide her special needs son Brandon with the attention and tenderness he deserved, until she found the hair care salon Snip-Its in Clifton Park.
“It was so traumatic trying to get his hair cut before,” she said of her 8-year-old. “I think lots of little kids get scared when it’s time to cut their hair, but kids with special needs are even more sensitive.”
At the Snip-Its chain, each stylist goes through special training and is certified to cut hair for children with Autism and other special needs to help “prepare them for the salon experience.”
Deitz said Brandon was apprehensive to go to another salon with a different stylist at first, but he soon found the child’s salon to be a fun and magical place. The experience led the Guilderland mom and former hair stylist to want to open her own Snip-Its closer to home and on Saturday, Feb. 4 she opened her own location in Guilderland’s Hamilton Square.
“I’ve found this is something I’m really passionate about,” said Deitz. “And kids are also my passion.”
Her story is similar to that of Snip-Its founder Joanna Meiseles, who opened the first location in Framingham, Mass. in 1995.
She too was looking for a unique hair care experience for her young children, but could not find a stylist with enough patience, the appropriate standards or enough toys and tools to keep here kids occupied. After two years of research and planning, she developed her own brand and kids hair care program.
“We’re turning what can sometimes be a challenging experience into a fun-filled, entertaining, family adventure,” states Meiseles on the Snip-Its website. “The result is a hair salon no kid can resist and a business model enticing to prospective franchisees.”
The chain has since expanded nationally to approximately 60 salons in 26 states. The Guilderland location will now be one of five in New York State.
Today, Snip-Its has its own cast of friendly characters, games and stories, and the “Magic Box,” a prize dispenser which gives each child a surprise in exchange for a swath of their hair at the end of the visit.
In the waiting area, children can enjoy the Snip-its show featuring the cast of cartoon characters, and each cutting station includes an entertainment station featuring custom computer games and activities. A special chair for parents is also at each station so parents can be close by.
For special occasions, the Guilderland Snip-Its provides four different themed birthday packages, child spa services and also has its own line of all natural hair care products for kids to take home.
Deitz called the experience “one of a kind.”
“There’s just something special about when a child walks into the salon for the first time,” she said.
At a party, children get their hair done, have light makeup put on and can get dressed up in special costumes provided by the salon. At the “Hollywood Party,” a child’s picture is taken on the red carpet and at the “Rock Star Party,” kids get to sing Karaoke. There is also a “Spa Party” and a “Glamour Party.”
New Snip-Its stylist Marie Napoli said she is excited to be a part of the salon and what the brand stands for.
“I had a child last year and being new to being a mom, it’s nice to have a place to bring a child because they don’t always do great in the environment of a crazy salon,” she said, adding how thankful she was for the additional training to work with special needs children.
As a stylist for nearly nine years, Napoli knew how difficult it could be for parent, stylist and a child with disabilities when they are wary of getting a haircut.
As part of the grand opening celebration, Guilderland Snip-Its will donate 15 percent of its proceeds to the Down Syndrome Aim High Resource Center. The funds raised will help provide services, resources and activities for members, including fundraising events, collateral materials, education and staffing.
“We’re excited to introduce such a unique concept to this community and to be able to give back to an organization that has given our family so much,” said Deitz.
