Hard work, perseverance pays off for local salon owner

The Canton Citizen is pleased to partner with the Canton Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee to present “Community in Unity,” an ongoing series spotlighting Canton residents of diverse backgrounds.

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Growing up in Haiti, Rose Noel Joachim knew she enjoyed doing people’s hair starting when she was around 12 or 13 years old. Today, she owns her own salon, Rose Hair Studio on Washington Street. Joachim’s path from childhood hobbyist to successful entrepreneur, however, was long and complicated by obstacles.

Rose Noel Joachim

Initially, the path seemed smooth: Joachim’s mother noticed her daughter’s interest in hair and sent her to school to learn hair dressing. Joachim also studied business administration, and for a time, worked in a business office during the week and in a salon on weekends.

After marrying, she had to make a fresh start. Her husband, also born in Haiti, had moved to this country earlier. Joachim joined him in 2008, and the couple lived in Stoughton for about 12 years before moving to Canton. Not believing that salon work was possible given her lack of strong English skills, Joachim found a position as a nursing assistant. She studied at Massasoit Community College to become a pharmacy technician and landed work in that field.

Joachim’s interest in doing hair was rekindled when an acquaintance mentioned needing to have her hair done. When Joachim offered to do it for her, the woman warned her that she was “very picky.” But when she was finished, the woman was impressed and asked her why she wasn’t working as a hair professional.

Inspired, Joachim did hair in her home for a while. When scheduling became difficult, she went back to school, enrolling in a one-year cosmetology program at Tri-County Regional, a vocational school in Franklin.

Joachim was happy with the program; she did well and received an award at the end. But initially, she had to adjust to the experience. Franklin, she said, is a predominantly white community — more than 90 percent based on the latest census figures — and she was the only Black student in the program. But the year prepared her well for the future: she has continued to work with clients of various racial backgrounds.

The distinction is significant: among other differences, the curliness of black hair, noted Joachim, means that it is prone to breakage. Straightening treatments and certain braiding styles like cornrows can cause problems such as hair loss, and the result is hair that needs careful, informed management. Joachim said she is able find solutions to hair problems by her knowledge of special products.

After getting her license, Joachim found a position at Salon Monique. She enjoyed working there and had high praise for owner Monique Souza. “Monique is my [role] model — she’s a very nice person,” she said.

Joachim also worked for a Boston salon, doing the hair of the models in an annual fashion show.

But with two school-age children — her son is now at St. Catherine of Siena in Norwood and her daughter attends St. John the Evangelist in Canton — Joachim realized she needed a flexible schedule to manage afterschool activities. She found the space on Washington Street and opened Rose Hair Studio in June 2018.

Normally requiring appointments, Joachim occasionally accepts walk-ins. He clients come from many surrounding towns and includes both children and adults as well as men and women. Noting that there are few salons in the area catering specifically to Black residents, Joachim estimates that around 10 to 15 percent of her clients are Black while 10 to 15 percent come from a Spanish-speaking background. She also has several white clients as well as some clients from south and east Asia.

Joachim has also had clients with emotional problems. “I want to make people feel good about themselves. Beauty can make a big change,” she said.

Making a difference means a lot to her. “I can be doing hair all day,” she said, explaining that she helps people feel relaxed and happy and leave with a smile.

Joachim offers a wide range of hair services, including keratin treatments, balayage, up-dos, and extensions. She also enjoys traveling for weddings.

Immediate plans call for building the business up from the effects of the pandemic. Eventually, she hopes to offer nail services and massages and possibly hire a staff person.

She has no plans to leave Canton, noting, “I like working with everybody in Canton. Everybody always welcomed me and offered me a lot of support.”

For more information about Rose Hair Studio, go to beautycreationsbyrose.com.

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Posted by Candace Paris on Mar 3 2022. Filed under Features. Both comments and pings are currently closed.