We sat down with Jill Todd & Marina Maramygina, owners of MaJi Hair Design, located in the heart of Mendham. We got to learn more about their salon, their passion for hair, their respect for the community and how they took those values to create a workplace that supports their employees and the town they love. Read our interview with them below!
How would you describe the culture of your salon?
It’s all about the hair at MaJi. We hire people who have passion for the hair industry. We have policies in place that aspire towards a positive work culture and that prioritizes the well-being of our employees. At MaJi we work as a team. We encourage, trust and support each other while maintaining an enjoyable work environment for everyone.
How did you come up with the name MaJi?
We wanted our name to be unique and special to us in a personal way. The name MaJi is the combination of the first two letters of both of our names, Marina and Jill.
How did you settle on Mendham as your location?
Jill – I started working in Mendham in 2005. This beautiful town was my first and only home for my career in hair. Staying in this community was important to me as it has shaped me into the hairstylist I am today.
Marina – I started as an assistant in one of Mendham’s salons in 2000 but left the area for family reasons. I came back 10 years later and what an honor it is to be able to bring my talent and expertise in hair to my clients here. I love this charming, little town and their residents. It’s so personable.
What sets MaJi Hair Design apart from other salons?
Our customer service is what sets us apart from other salons. At MaJi, we love what we do for our guests – It is all about the hair after all! We are full of gratitude for every guest who walks through our door. We see it as a privilege of a lifetime to make them feel beautiful, comfortable and feel good about themselves. So we make it our top priority to provide them with a memorable experience, from start to finish.
Some salons specialize in blondes, or extensions, do you have a speciality?
Any aspect of hair service in the industry is a speciality. But of course, it is important to be well-rounded and well-versed in different services in order to cater to our clients to the best of our abilities. We specialize in creating beautiful hair for our guests and make them feel amazing when they leave our salon. The success of our business has been, and will always be – Attention to detail.
Do you offer children’s cuts?
Absolutely, they are our youngest guests and we love to have them. It’s always a special moment for them, especially when it’s their first haircut!
What would be your best advice for someone looking for a new salon?
Jill – Whenever I have a client who is moving or going away for college, I always advise them to first check google for a local salon that will be convenient for them in their new area. Check out their website and google reviews. Is the website functional? Are there clearly marked prices? Are there different levels of stylists and if so, do the prices reflect this? Are there staff bio’s? Does the website embody what you are looking for in a new salon? These will tell you a lot about a salon and how it operates. Next, check out their social media pages. Do you like their work and their vibes? Once you narrowed down to a certain stylist, go ahead and schedule a blowout with that stylist and see how the experience is. Did they take the time to listen to your needs? Were they polite? Did they give you what you asked for? Did they ask you questions to get a better understanding of what you are looking for? Again, these are important questions to ask yourself.
Marina – To add to what Jill said, I like to suggest to my clients that while they are at shops/supermarkets, local events or even on streets of their new home: check out the
hairstyles and hair colors of the local people. If they like someone’s hairstyle and are not shy, go ahead and ask them what salon they go to. Word of mouth is also a great way to find out about salons in an area.
This interview was done in partnership with Maji Hair Designs. To learn more about their salon, follow them on social media below, and be sure to make an appointment for your next salon visit!
