We sat down with Renée Castiglione, owner of Moda Hair Studio, to talk about her journey in the hair industry and what makes her Milford business special.
Q: How did you get started in the hair industry?
A: I went to hairdressing school two days after graduating high school! I completed an accelerated program and was working as a hairdresser at 17, though I couldn't get licensed until I turned 18. I started in Guilford but moved to Milford when an educator I worked with asked me to join his salon. That was back in the '80s when perms were really big, and I was doing all the color and chemical work.
Q: What led you to open Moda Hair Studio?
A: I opened my first salon in 1994 with a business partner, then opened Moda on my own in 1998. At 24, I had no business experience whatsoever, but I was determined to create a really positive environment for people who wanted to do hair. I knew I wanted to create a space where people felt welcome and celebrated for their skills.
Q: What makes Moda Hair Studio stand out?
A: We work as a team. We don't do chair rentals, and I personally train every stylist before they go on the floor, giving them all the education I received when I was younger. There's no competition here. Clients can move between stylists if they want to try someone different, and we'd rather keep them in the salon family than lose them elsewhere. My longest employee has been with me 28 years! I think it works because I'm behind the chair the whole time, working alongside everyone.
Q: What do you love about being in Milford?
A: Everything! I loved Milford so much. The community is real – people rally together, especially in times of need. We have the best beaches, great shops, and wonderful events on the green. The people here are genuinely supportive of small businesses, and that makes all the difference.