When Joanna Oates moved to Wetumpka, she was on a mission to find a way to give back to the community that provided so much for her husband, Mike, during his childhood.
After opening Haircuts by JoJo in November 2017, Oates recognized an additional calling and recently partnered with Natacha Graham, owner of B&B’s Health Boutique. She re-located to the backside of Graham’s store and provides complimentary wig cutting services to women who come to B&B to be fitted for wigs.
Oates provides an intimate and encouraging atmosphere for women.
“Most of these women are cancer patients, and I can provide a more private setting for them to have their heads shaved and try on wigs,” said Oates.
With the purchase of a wig at B&B, Oates will cut the hair to a customer’s preference, free of charge. Often, insurance does not cover the purchase of wigs, and Graham’s nonprofit foundation will donate them to those in need.
“Most want it to look as close to their natural hair as possible, so they can feel as normal as possible,” said Oates.
The high-quality synthetic wigs come in a variety of colors, lengths and styles, so there are options for everyone. Clients can try on as many as they wish to find the ones they feel are suitable. Oates then will cut the wigs while it’s on their heads, to ensure it fits their faces.
If she is available, Oates tries to join the consultation process for the wig fittings as well. She plans to average about two to four wig cuts per month, according to Graham’s predictions.
“It takes about an hour to cut a wig. It’s very coarse and requires a lot of shaping, thinning and different techniques, more unusual than most natural hair types,” she added.
After cutting hair for 15 years, Oates said, one of the aspects of the job she enjoys the most is interacting with her clients. Finding common ground as she focuses on one client at a time, Oates finds conversational topics that make people happy.
She applies the same method to the women getting their wigs cut, which could also serve as a distraction from why they may be there.
“It comes fairly naturally to me, making conversation, since I’ve been in this profession for so long. It comes with the job, and I also enjoy interacting with people. I want my clients to feel that they have my full attention the whole time,” said Oates.
The business side of Haircuts by JoJo focuses solely on haircuts and began as an all-male salon. Although she’s capable of a broad spectrum of professional hair techniques, Oates prefers to focus on the one thing she is really good at, she said.
“I saw the profit you could turn with males, who typically don’t take as long to cut. I wanted to cater to that crowd, but a classier version because men deserve class, too,” she added.
Haircuts by JoJo offers the Wetumpka special for $25, which includes a man’s haircut, massaging shampoo, hot towel and a neck and shoulder massage.
After working for others in the field for so long, Oates knew exactly what she did and did not want when in opening her own business.
“It kind of fell into my lap. I’d been working so hard for other salons, and finally Mike said, ‘Well, why don’t you open your own?’” she added.
The Mom-and-Pop atmosphere is an important element to the Pennsylvania native, making it more than just a job to her, she said.
“I am doing what I love, and it’s a way to give back to the community,” said Oates. “Mike grew up in Wetumpka and his mom was a single mom. The community really helped out his family. I love the community aspect of this town. This is home.”
Oates originally opened in November 2017, and despite renovating the new location and moving, she kept the business open all but a few days.
Now located at 102 Court St. at the stoplight by the bridge, Oates said, exposure for her business is probably even higher now based on the location.
“When people are sitting at that red light by the bridge, they see my large sign outside. I have been told by people that they wrote down my number as they were driving by,” she added.
Mike helps out a lot behind the scenes, she said, with marketing, sweeping, answering phones, budgeting, finances and more. He also has been incredibly involved with the renovations of each building.
“I am so grateful for a supportive husband,” Oates said.
She and Mike met in North Carolina and visited his family in Wetumpka on occasion. They decided they would retire here and made the move four years ago.
Having attempted to branch out on her own once before, Oates said, the timing was not right.
“I never really felt like it was the right time. Now is the time,” she said. “There are great things coming to Wetumpka.”
Haircuts by JoJo is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The appointment-only salon is located in downtown Wetumpka at 102 Court St. For updates, information or appointments visit the Facebook page or call 334-478-7599.
