Today we’d like to introduce you to Joseph Marzioli
Hi Joseph, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started working in a salon at an early age of 12 in my Dad ‘s salon he co-owned with Toni&Guy in Dallas, TX. I started out as a Saturday boy, sweeping up hair, shampooing for the stylist and Chem- techs. I think I was making 30$ a day plus tips, which at that young of an age, I felt like I was rolling in the money. It definitely taught me the value of money and what the potential of the Hair industry could be for me as a career path. I knew I would be a hairdresser at that age. I was also very influenced by the hair shows I went to with my Dad and how thousands of hairdressers would attend to see all the platform artists showcase their work on stage, from commercial, fashion forward to avant-garde hair art. The energy of it all definitely sealed the deal for me, and I began working in the salon more days then going to the first Toni&Guy cosmetology school at 16. From there I graduated 2 months shy of my 18th birthday. Because my Dad was traveling a lot for the Toni&Guy artistic team, I was fortunate to tag along and help out backstage and watch amazing hairstylist cut hair and style hair like it was second nature. I was such a sponge and learned anything anyone would have time to show me. Back in those days, there wasn’t any social media or YouTube education, so the shows were huge and anyone who was anyone would be at these shows that would do all the major cities across America. I met the best of the best in those days, and it left such a lasting impression that I have carried in to my work today. After just tagging along for a couple years I started educating side by side with my mentors and hair idols, which catapulted me into another level of artistry. Looking back, I’m so thankful I was able to have those experiences, because it shaped my humility towards the industry. When clients or even other colleagues would compliment me with ” you’re the best ” one could and most of the time would go to one’s head , but with me I worked with such amazing people that inside I thought I was about average, maybe slightly better than average at some things. I traveled around the world with Toni&Guy from London to Taiwan, Italy to South America. I was with Toni&Guy for 20 years until I decided I wanted to pursue something different for my path. I really wanted to go back to the beginning of why I do what I do and that was getting behind the chair. With that I started forming my own ideas of what that looked like. I dreamed of a salon of like minded artists that shared ideas and work together to make everyone around them better. After spending another 5 years working in other salons with friends and colleges, it helped solidify my vision very clearly. After a lot of setbacks, trials and tears. My family and I came together to form Marzioli Studio in Austin, Tx. And for me Hairdressing was always and still is about family, sharing ideas coming alongside fresh and seasoned artists and upgrading each other. As the old proverb says “Iron sharpens Iron”.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The road was definitely a very bumpy one to say the least. Like most sons of coaches or pastors’ kids, in my instance it was my Dad being the leader of an elite artistic team, that came with a lot of expectations and pressure that I wasn’t prepared for. I was very young when I started. So, when all my friends were still growing up finishing high school then going to college and finding themselves, I went from being a very innocent kid to navigating a very adult industry over night. With it came its pitfalls of having thin skin and taking things very personal and it almost drove me to quit. I struggled a lot with self-confidence with my craft and “if I had what it takes to be in this industry” , but over time and self-motivation and really studding the game I was fortunate enough to make really close friends in my industry and age that helped boost me every day to continue on my path. Later down the road I would try my attempt at owning my own salon around the economic crash in 08, 09, that really left a bad taste in my mouth. But it would also be a catalyst to propel me to go again in another economic downturn, and what I learned from my last salon I have applied the knowledge to the new salon that I feel in my gut will be successful.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I love to change client’s moods, image about themselves. I get so much gratification when clients days are changed simply by updating their style. I specialize in cutting, styling, and extensions, because for me it’s about the sculpture of hairdressing. And sculpting the right shape for the right face is so important. I’m known for motivating others around me and education has been a passion for me for as long as I can remember that it naturally comes out in consultations with clients by thoroughly explaining the process I will take with their hair which I have to sometimes cut short because I can talk about their hair for the full hour. With my colleagues, I love talking about the approach they take or options on styling with alternative products, and getting them to give my new ideas. I am most proud of the salon, that my family’s legacy continues on with the name on the front door and the culture we have with each other and the ability to share it with others. I think what sets me apart from others is 25 years of exploring every facet of the hair industry and taking all the good and leaving the bad and applying it to salon experience for others to grow from it and cultivating talent that will most likely supersede me.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
When I was growing up, I was the oldest of 6 siblings so there was a lot of competition to being noticed. It definitely helped with one of my character traits to being able to be comfortable in front of people and it came natural for me to talk to anyone. In this business being able to articulate with confidence and ease is so essential. I was very into current fashion and little bit of a comic book nerd. I was really into the culinary craft, and for a brief moment I thought about maybe pursuing it. Loved watching the cooking shows on PBS. My favorite was the Frugal Gourmet. Loved how passionate he was about simple ingredients that he would transform into amazing dishes that looked completely different from what he started with. I was rebellious as I was creative, and was really drawn to the skater culture of punk rock, fashion, and “don’t give a crap” attitude. A lot of that resonates with me still to this day in my approach to art and fashion. Because I was the oldest of a very large family and had to grow up fast, I became very independent and was very comfortable doing things on my own and venturing out, skateboarding to neighboring cities without a care in the world. I really enjoyed my fun time, it was very important that I had that balance of work, and adventure.
Contact Info:
- Address: 12800 Hill Country blvd G-140 Bee Cave, Tx 78731
- Email: joseph.marzioli@gmail.com
- Instagram: @josephmarzioli
Image Credits
Toni&Guy education
