Why Small Businesses Matter
Shop small, do big things for your community
Why Small Businesses Matter puts a spotlight on the local merchants who donate their time, talent, goods, and services for the betterment of our community. The shop local movement spreads virally as local businesses who are “tagged” have the opportunity to share their story.
You're IT Gavali Salon!
Four questions with Gabriella Travali DeStefano, owner of Gavali Salon.
Why did you start your business?
I have always been a bit of a rule breaker, and once in a while, it works out, for example - my business, GAVALI. I wish to make a change in society and prove that just because I might have purple hair, ripped jeans and tattoos doesn’t make me unprofessional. I have the utmost respect for the traditional “professional” salon culture, but as passionate as I am about being a professional hairdresser, I also have a passion for fashion and comfort as well. So, I figured I would make my own rules and change the game a bit.
At GAVALI, ripped jeans are welcome, customer and staff alike. I want to be able to be real and have my Stylists feel comfortable at work and show their own sense of style. After all, if your stylist isn’t honest with themselves how could they be honest with you? We don’t pretend to be who we are not, what you see is what you get, and our clients seem to appreciate it. We want everyone to come in and feel comfortable and not intimidated when they walk in the door. GAVALI is not just a salon, it’s a community - filled with really fun, trendy and happy employees and amazing clients. I hope we can encourage change, whether it may be someone’s hair color, style or makeup or just help someone feel more comfortable in their own skin so they can do what they love and feel comfortable doing it!
How many people do you employ? Any youth or seniors in the community?
I was 25 when I opened GAVALI five years ago, and as a younger business owner, I wanted to create an environment that encompassed both the relaxing and professional tradition but was fun and trendy at the same time. I believe we have accomplished this, and we work very hard to maintain it. We have a great combination of relaxing zen music, good conversation, some of that juicy gossip we all love, and an awesome team of 7 talented stylists between the ages of 22 and 31 who work some serious magic with hair and makeup services for men, women and children of all ages! That’s exactly why our motto is “Relax…Laugh…and Enhance Your Beauty!”.
We specialize in hair coloring, cutting, extensions, makeup, bridal/special event styling, and our most popular services are Highlighting and Balayage. We also offer formaldehyde-free keratin treatments and a full list of salon services. We have our own product line which is sulfate free, color and keratin safe and has UV protectants and consists of shampoos, conditioners, styling products and more!
How many local businesses do you support?
We love local businesses. Mark’s Art in Black Rock handles all of our printing and apparel including business cards, menus, window decals and our GAVALI gear. Our photoshoots are done by the amazing and talented photographer, Rachel Black, owner of Rowanberry + Lavender photography. Mark Messina with Messina Painting keeps Gavali fresh. If you know us, we love to eat and in order to make in through a long day on our feet, we are regularly fed by all of the amazing restaurants in town such as The Country Cow Deli and Pazzo Pizza (which are right next door). Some of our favorite restaurants in town are Bodega and The Chelsea. We have parties catered by the amazing Brick + Wood food truck. We refer all of our clients to Giuliana’s Boutique for prom dresses and special events. We get our goodies from Alina’s Bakery. Scott Benton is our favorite commercial real estate agent. And, last but certainly not least, our go-to chiropractor to help heal our worn-out backs is Dr. Tierney. I could literally go on for days but I love all of the small businesses in town!
Gavali Salon is located at 2475 Black Rock Turnpike in Fairfield. Visit Gavali Salon online www.gavalisalon.com.
HamletHub thanks Fairfield County Bank for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!