Meet Stefani Rhodes | Owner/Stylist

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

Hi Stefani, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Standing behind my chair, 6 years into cutting men’s hair and I was bouncing around ideas on how to retire. In this industry, you don’t come across jobs that allow you to retire with a 401k or anything of the like and when you get to my ag. Things that start becoming important. It sticks to the forefront of your mind every day. How to provide for myself and my family has always been a priority, but now I had to start looking to the future and what that was going to look like. It started with an idea to buy a tiny house and go to RV parks and cut hair for those on vacation. Let’s be honest, that’s not what is on someone’s mind when on vacation, much less, in an RV park. I had to think outside the box. It dawned on me one day when I had a client tell me, ” I’ll never get it to look this good again.” It was like a light bulb had gone off. So I started asking questions like, “What did you do when you were a groomsmen? What did y’all do during that time that you had to wait for the bride to get ready? Were there people who showed up without a haircut or beard trim ?” It was then that I had an idea. Why not help men out on what is one of the most important days of their life? Be the guarantee that their hair, does in fact, look that good. Not only their hair, but to make them feel just as important as the bride does. Just as pampered. Behold, the idea of The Gentlemen’s Team was born. A professional that comes directly to the Groom and his groomsmen, at their location. Chair, products, and station in tow, ready to go. Someone who sets up and provides an experience that sets the stage for everyone in the wedding party to not only look their best, but to feel their best as well. Let’s face it, it’s not fair the bride gets all the attention, now is the time for the men to get their turn too. As much of it is pampering and styling for the guys, it’s also somewhat of an insurance policy for the bride at the end of the day. Everyone looks nice and neat for all the photos to follow and maybe, just maybe, we can keep the guys in line for all those hours spent “watching the clock.”

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My career keeps me busy. Hair runs in my blood. I had a mannequin and curling iron in my hand by the age of 5 and started cutting my own bangs at 6. I was fortunate enough in high school to be able to take Cosmetology as a vocational class and graduate with my license in hand, ready to go. Giving me a career right out the door. That was in 2002, I’ll let you do the math as far as how long Ive been doing this. I steered the course and dedicated a lot of those years to women and specifically, color services. I thrived in it because I am creative, but eventually got burnt out. I rented booths, worked hourly, and ran my own salon for 2 years, only to walk away from it thinking I was done. A lot of people walk away in this industry. They end up leaving it for better pay, health insurance benefits and the like. In 2014, I walked away and went to work for retail. I opened up an Academy, I spent two and a half years at Walmart catching shop lifters, stocking, and being a customer service manager, only to realize that in the end, hair was really my passion. I began to realize that I wasn’t living true to who I was and what I meant to do. I wanted more than what retail was going to give me.I soon decided to get back into the hair industry in 2016. After about a year of working in a small shop, I decided to try my hands at men’s hair. Of course I had cut the occasional husband’s hair or the little boy’s hair, but I had always wondered if I’d be good enough to just rely on that alone. Thus beginning a new chapter in my career. Breaking into the men’s hair scene in Dallas. Crossing into men’s hair has definitely kept me busy over the years. My client’s are pretty loyal and more so, adament about not missing their appointments these days because of how difficult it can be to get into my chair. I’ve also been fortunate that it has taught me a lot of things over the years, but more so how to do better and be better. In my skill set, my personal life, and now in my next phase of life. My clients have taught me so much, but the most important thing I’ve learned is their three core values. Efficiency, convenience, and what is or isn’t beneficial. Three things that I have not only incorporated into my life, but have added into my business model. Men are looking for something that is going to be efficient, or they’re not about it. Something that is going to be convenient, otherwise it’s a waste of time. Lastly, how is something beneficial? I have created a business that travels directly to men, on their most important day. Whether that be the venue, or location of their event, my chair, my products and I show up. It is not only efficient, but it is also convenient, because let’s face it, someone always forgets the blow dryer and product. Hairspray? What about those groomsmen who forgot to get a haircut and a beard trim? I take care of that for them, making my services efficient, convenient and beneficial for the wedding day! I absolutely love what I do these days. Being there for people has always been important to me, now I just get to take it on the road and be there for those important moments as well.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If you’re looking for a quick, tucked away place with a neighborhood feel, great atmosphere and chill vibe for a Friday night, The Loon in Uptown is where you should go. With nachos that are delicious and flavorful and meatballs that taste like they came straight from Italy, you can’t go wrong here. Saturdays are best spent at Klyde Warren! Here you’ll find an array of shenanigans to get into. Some ping pong, life size connect 4, and an expansive lawn you can even bring your dog to. A water fountain for the kids to let loose in, and every food truck you can think of to cover all your taste buds. If you’re real lucky, sometimes there’s even live music too! Klyde Warren is where it’s at on Saturdays. Sunday Funday? Sundays are best spent at Chelsea’s Corner in Knox Henderson. Their brunch is the best in town! Between their lush patio seating, mimosa options, and tasty menu, you’ll easily spend half the day there enjoying the scene.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Literally, every single client that has sat in my chair for the last 6 and a half years. They’ve all helped me bounce around ideas, brain storm, and put plans into action. Without all of them I don’t think this would’ve come to life.

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Image Credits
Kirsten Prater