Family Dynamics Contribute to ‘Hair Dynamics’ Style

In 1980, John Manzella opened at 1475 Bergen Blvd. in Fort Lee.

As owner and worker, Manzella decided to sell the salon to his nephew, Vinnie Marceca, who has continued the tradition since 1995. It was in January 2012 that Vinnie sold the business to his nephew, Jason.

Original customers, as well as new customers, come from places as far away as Wayne, Franklin Lakes, New York and even Trenton for the services Vinnie still provides.

Jason has loved the business since he started working at Hair Dynamics three years after coming out of high school in1998. He loves the diversity and the business.

“It’s amazing to see how the generations keep rolling in, right down to the children of the parents of the grandparents who originally started coming here,” Jason said. 

Tradition and the know-how of styling hair keeps flowing at Hair Dynamics. The future has been cut out for Jason since the business is self sufficient, family-oriented and successful. They are there to support each other at all times.

“We have had our rough times, like in 2000, when my mother passed away," Jason said. "It shook up everything. Sticking to the game plan and working through the rough spots is how we do it.”

Seeing that nothing is consistent, especially in Fort Lee, the economy has taken quite a toll on Hair Dynamics.

“It’s been up and down. People are taking longer to cut, color and style their hair. They are even doing it by themselves,” Jason said. “But we are very grateful for our customers, we are nothing without them.”

Jason finds that giving discounts is a perk for the business. He gives 50 percent off to first time customers. He also has a referral program in which he gives a customer a $20 gift card for referring someone.

Keeping mediocre prices at bay with the quality of service they provide is also good for business.

Former Grade 6 teacher at in Fort Lee, Laurie Freedman, a resident and customer at Hair Dynamics said, "I love coming here."

"Jason is terrific," Freedman said. "His salon doesn’t compare to the other salons I’ve been to."

The Gilbert family, including a niece, from New York City and a sister-in-law, Ms. Shapiro, from Florida, described Hair Dynamics as, “The only place to be to get our hair done. We’ve been customers since the beginning.”

There are seven employees at Hair Dynamics: Owner Jason; hair stylist, Uncle Vinnie; hair stylist and first cousin Mike; hair stylist and cousin Solia, who has been in the business for 15 years; manager, Debbie; hair stylist, Danny, who has been with the company since 1980; and receptionist, Krystina.

Danny left Hair Dynamics and opened another salon. Soon after, he returned as stylist and a makeup artist. Danny was a makeup artist for the "Real Housewives of New Jersey."

Jason said all of the workers attend classes to further their education. They also keep up to date on the newest techniques on how to keep hair healthy, what products to use without damaging hair and attend classes on styling.

Location is also important in keeping business going. Jason said that being at the end of a strip mall doesn’t necessarily create the traffic he would like. Plans to get more involved in the borough to get better known are in the works, even though the family doesn’t reside in Fort lee.

But after more than 30 years at the same location, it"s a unanimour sentiment that “being at work feels just like home.”

“I could never do an office job," Jason said. "This business I’m in keeps the overall family environment in check. I enjoy work, the good people and the overall feeling of a salon. Making people look beautiful and feel happy and comfortable, along with providing music to give a warm welcome helps keep things upbeat.”

Hours at Hair Dynamics are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays.

Call them at 201-461-8848 for more information.