By Norine Longo
When Ken Emma would get his hair cut by barber Joe Festa as a child, he didn’t realize the impact it would have on him. Today, Festa still cuts hair at the State Barbershop in Trenton and Emma is the owner and operator of Kennections Hair Concepts in Lawrenceville, a salon for men, women and children that will celebrate 20 years of operation in May 2010.
While his family says he inherited the stylist gene from his grandfather, Samuel Mostarella, who was a barber in Lawrence about 40 years ago, Emma says it’s simply his love for the job.
Emma, who grew up in Ewing and currently resides in Lawrenceville, studied at The College of New Jersey to become a teacher. But he realized early on that teaching wasn’t for him.
He then enrolled at the Wilfred Beauty Academy in Lawrenceville where he completed their cosmetology program.
Emma later purchased an existing men’s salon named Michaelangelo’s in 1986. The business was located next to the Lawrence Shopping Center on U.S. 1, across from Colonial Lanes.
For a time, Emma kept the name Michaelangelo’s, and the salon was so successful that he needed more space. He found relief in a house located farther north on U.S. 1.
He bought the house, remodeled and changed the name to Kennections.
While the services most in-demand at the salon include haircuts and coloring, the service clients receive at Kennections is anything but typical.
“You won’t find $2 shampoos and conditioners bought in bulk behind these washing stations,” Emma said. “We use the same products that we sell.”
Emma said clients can expect to be treated as if they are a guest at his home. Clients can feel at ease and trust that they are in the hands of talented and experienced stylists, he said.
At Kennections, stylists take the time to get to know their customer’s wants and needs during appointments, he said.
“The most important part of getting your hair done is the communication,” said Emma. Emma said he and his staff make time to stay current with trends, frequently attending classes and watching videos both in and out of the salon.
Seeking to capitalize on the recent trend of salons geared toward male clients and building on his foundation of client relationships, Emma opened up a separate salon under the same name catering to male clients. Called Kennections for Men, the salon is next door to Kennections’ main salon and operates separately.
Kennections for Men is adorned with flat screen TVs, Ken’s grandfather’s salon products, a leisurely waiting area and even an autographed photo of football coach Bill Parcells, whose hair Emma said he cut when Parcells coached the New York Giants.
Emma said Kennections for Men provides salon services to men in an atmosphere where they can feel comfortable amongst other men and not self conscious.
Kennections Hair Concepts and Kennections for Men is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Fridayand Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. All services are by appointment.
Kennections is located at 2911 Brunswick Pike (U.S. 1). For more information, call (609) 882-6868 or e-mail kennections@comcast.net. On the web: kennections.com.
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