Feature: The hustle of a hairdresser

by Margaret O’Connell 
edited by Dina Martucci 

Sweeping the last of the hair clippings off of the wood floor, Amy Bellezza finishes up closing her hair salon with a pit in her stomach.

The state of Connecticut has enforced a closure to all public services as of March 20th. Having two kids at home to support and with her husband also out of work she immediately begins to worry how she will have a source of income. 

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“I understand this is an inconvenience for all ‘nonessential businesses’ but my income every month is essential to my family,” said Amy.

During her last week of haircuts, hair coloring and blowouts, a client was worried how she will be able to keep up her hair. She asked if she could still come in secretly because she couldn’t bear the thought of her roots and stray grays beginning to appear during this temporary closure. Even with how happy Amy likes to keep her customers, allowing any customer to enter the salon for a service would result in a fine, Amy had to decline this and other requests. 

At that moment, she had a thought and said it to her client, “What if I came to your house with my supplies and give you a cut and color in the safety of your home?” Elated, the women in the chair said yes.  

Amy began contacting reliable clients providing this offer. Many declined with the fear of exposing their loved ones to any possible foreign germs. Though some were incredibly excited with such news. 

After some research, she grasped the possible consequences of what she was going to do. The fine for continuing operation is 10,000 dollars with the possibility of jail time. Though the fear of no income was greater than the risk she was taking to pursue this.  
To date, she hasn’t proceeded with any home visits because no clients are risking germ spread and all involved, including Amy are heeding the stay at home rule. Thinking of ways around this ban she thought instead of payments she could receive “donations”. This way she could accept all the client could offer with most people out of work Amy thought this will help her situation while still providing her services. “As the days pass the seriousness of this pandemic is increasing but I need to have some way to support my family”, said Amy.

Margaret O’Connell, a feature writer, is staying safe and working from home to hear from locals as well as FPU students through her journalism articles.