Shear bliss at new Hill location for Follicles Salon
By PAULA M. RILEY

Jayne Joseph, 54 (right), and Jennifer Simes, 38, own and operate Follicles Design Center Inc. which just moved to the back of The Chestnut Hill Hotel in August. (Photo by Paula Riley)

Nine years ago, Philadelphia natives Jayne Joseph, 54, and Jennifer Simes, 38, met each other while working at a local hair salon. “I knew instantly,” said Joseph, “that she would make a great partner.”

This partnership began in the fall of 2001 when Joseph and Simes opened Follicles Salon in Chestnut Hill. Originally located at 7723 Germantown Ave., next to the Night Kitchen, their salon has experienced great success which they attribute to their strong partnership and attention to client needs.

With a generation between them and two very different personalities, the partners have created a balance for each other and their business which they believe is the key to their success. “I’m tough. I stir things up, and I handle the business stuff,” says Joseph of herself. Pointing to Simes beside her, she says, “This one is gentle, laid back and always keeping the peace.”

At times they finish each other’s sentences and nod in agreement when the other makes a point. It is obvious they care deeply about each other and their business. “We have been through a lot together. We have both had major life changes, and we’ve shared them together,” says Simes. “Professionally and personally, we know we can depend on each other.”

They believe their relationship sets the tone for their salon. Described by them as a very relaxed atmosphere, they work to create a salon with a true family feeling, absent of the often intense competition present in hair salons.

“We don’t care what chair you (the client) sit in,” says Joseph. “Every client is everyone’s client.” Unlike salons where stylists are told to stay away from each other’s clients, Joseph and Simes encourage all staff members to speak with and assist clients at all times. “We want clients to feel no pretense here. We want them to feel comfortable trying out a different stylist if they are looking for a change.”

The partners believe this approach leads to a family atmosphere. They introduce clients to each other and try to bring customers into the conversations. This openness has created a sense of intimacy at Follicles. “Many clients have been with us years. We have learned that you are not the only one going through life changes. We are all willing to share stories and  help each other through the rough patches.”

Joseph first opened up Follicles Salon in 1983 in Chestnut Hill. She ran a small salon there for 13 years where Penguin Workshop is located today. When Ted Helmetag sold the building, she moved Follicles to Glenside for three years. She later closed the salon and worked for another, where she met Simes. Along the way, Joseph’s clients followed her.

This success led to the business’ recent name change and move to a new location up the Hill. Now known as Follicles Design Center Inc., their business sits beside the Chestnut Hill Farmers’ Market, just in the back of The Chestnut Hill Hotel.

Opened in August, the full service salon is located in the retail spot most recently vacated by a photo studio. It is not just the physical location which has changed. Follicles has extended its service offering: now offering massage and a full-time licensed esthetician. Most of the five stylists, who handle all types of hair and hold an expertise in color, have been with Follicles for six to seven years.

The new salon includes a skin care room and massage room complete with dim lighting and aromatherapy. As in her other salons, Joseph was sure to create a private area for shampoos and chemical applications, away from the open styling area. A woman’s wash/cut/style/blow dry is $45, a single process of color is $45, and a full head of foils is $95.

Unlike some Chestnut Hill businesses, Joseph and Simes have nothing but praise for their landlord and neighbors. “We love our landlord, Ron Pete!” the two proclaimed. They described working with him through the lease agreement and renovations. “He was so friendly and patient. We sat on the floor together as we signed our lease. This is a very big step for a small business. He did not pressure us and was very involved throughout the process,” said Simes.

When they opened their doors in August, they were warmly greeted by their neighbors at the Farmer’s Market. Flowers, gift baskets and food arrived on their opening. These neighbors still drop in regularly, and staff members at Jonathan’s Best are now clients of the salon. Frank and Michael, the popular parking attendants in the lot beside their salon, continue to greet them warmly each day.

The owners’ families are involved in the business as well. Simes’ mother comes in each evening to clean the salon. Joseph’s husband of 10 years, Marc Joseph, works the reception desk on their busy Saturdays. He is a familiar face in Chestnut Hill, having worked formerly at Stella Notte and Solaris Grille.

The family participation, the inviting atmosphere and strong partnership  create the feeling that visitors are coming into Truvy’s — the small salon of lifelong friends featured in the movie “Steel Magnolias,” but Simes insisted, “Yes we are definitely like Truvy’s but . . . a bit more upscale!”

Follicles Design Center Inc. is located in the back of The Chestnut Hill Hotel and is open Tuesdays, 10 – 5 p.m., Wednesday & Thursday, 12 – 8 p.m., Fridays, 10 – 6 p.m., and Saturdays, 9 – 4 p.m. The phone number is 215-248-2899.