Budding Friendship Grows to Thriving Downtown Business for Partners

When Tita Daskal and Kelli Sesi met years ago, they never imagined they would one day end up as business partners in Northville. 

As their friendship grew, so did ideas about how they could open a successful salon of their own.  

"This has always been my passion," explained Sessi.  

“We found this building when it was going up,” Daskal said. “I used to live in the area, and I’d drive by, and I thought, oh my God, I found the perfect place."

So became a reality, pairing the two women together as partners — doing what they’d always done for someone else, to make a living — but now, they do it for themselves.

“I love doing it. I enjoy coming to work.” Daskal said. “Talking to the people, going to the shows — we’re always keeping ourselves updated with the latest fashions and trends. It’s just a fun business to be in.”

In their 10 years on Main Street, the partners have secured many repeat customers. They admit that when the economy started to sink, they saw a drop in business, but they were able to rebound. They even expanded and continue to grow.

"My husband and I built this building (next to Utopia), so we expanded from 2,700 square feet to 6,000 square feet,” Daskal explained. She said Utopia plans to open another shop in the salon's basement.

“We’re opening up a bargain basement, hopefully, by September. It will be an extension of our boutique here, where everything is going to be $20 or less.”

Utopia offers hair cuts, color and perms as well as spa treatments such as facials, massages and waxing. They also have a special For Men Only section that features men's shaves and facials.

Their friendship has flourished right along with the salon.

“We’re like family," Daskal said. "We’ve been great business partners.

"My husband says he has two wives, and I feel like I’m married to her," she said.

“At the risk of sounding cheesy, Tita really is not just a business partner; she truly is a sister,” Sesi said. “We've truly managed to master the art of a healthy partnership. Collectively, we've just found a way to make it work.”

The businesswomen are also firm believers in sharing the wealth. They've teamed up with the nonprofit organization Children with Hairloss, which helps provide children who have medically related hair loss.

“They make wigs for children who are losing hair, and they’re not charged,” Daskal said. “Whatever hair is donated, they make the wigs and give them to the children, which is nice.”

Utopia annually hosts an Eight for Eight event: Patrons donate at least 8 inches of hair, and the salon provides cuts and styling, free of charge.

Northville sees many first-time entrepreneurs who struggle to keep their businesses open. But Daskal and Sesi assure customers — and the community — that they're not going anywhere.

"We just celebrated our 10-year anniversary, so it’s safe to say we intend to be a fixture in Northville,” Sesi said.