Norman Zapien freely admits he’d forgotten that hair stylist Renata Falanga had entered his business into a nationwide contest.
But when an email arrived saying his Greensboro-based Zapien’s Salon had prevailed over nearly 20,000 entries, he was stunned – and just a little bit skeptical.
“I thought it was a hoax,” he says. “I really didn’t believe it at first. Even after everyone convinced me it was true, I still sent messages back saying, ‘So you’re really coming? Because I have catering and people coming and everything.’ I just wanted to make sure.”
Courtesy of Schwarzkopf Professional, a 125-year-old hair care products manufacturer, noted hair colorist Carlos Rojas arrived at Zapien’s Salon on June 23, from his home base in Dallas.
In addition to demonstrating the correct use and application of Schwarzkopf coloring options to Zapien’s staff of professional colorists and stylists, Rojas presented the salon with $2,400 worth of Schwarzkopf’s Fibre Clinix shampoo and hair conditioning line of products.
Rojas said when he learned he was heading to Greensboro to meet the contest winner he got excited because he quickly learned Zapien “is a complete legend around here.”
He was so excited, in fact, he sported a custom-made “Founding Member of the Norman Fan Club” t-shirt throughout his visit.
“I thought at first I was just going to Atlanta, but then they told me, no, Greensboro, so after a plane ride and a couple of carriages, here we are,” said Rojas, who arrived at Zapien’s with a couple of assistants in tow.
“It’s so beautiful here, absolutely stunning,” he added. “I can see why the people here love it so much. Much nicer than Atlanta.”
Zapien called having Rojas and Schwarzkopf visit his salon “an honor,” especially since both appear committed to helping their customers, salons like his own, just as he and his staff are dedicated to educating those who visit Zapien’s for hair care.
“It’s all personal,” he insists. “It’s about communication, good consultation, sharing ideas with a client, and making sure everything is done right.
Because as long as you feel good, the environment is good, communication is good, it’s all about customer service. When you open the door here, that’s what you’re going to get. And it has to be right on.”