Ashwin Pamudurthy has spent the last 2 decades managing clinical practices at academic medical centers in New York and Connecticut. He currently serves as the administrator of the Dentistry service line for Montefiore Einstein Health System in New York City. Ashwin and his wife, Melissa, have called Westport home since 2018, where they live with their two daughters and their dogs. After surprising himself with how much he enjoyed his experience at a local Hammer & Nails, and even becoming a member, he decided Fairfield needed a location of its own. Clients clearly agree. Mark, a new member, describes Hammer & Nails as “an oasis… the quality of the services is amazing, and the staff is outstanding. It’s not intimidating, just a nice little oasis.” Another client and founding member, Ennuel, puts it simply: “I’m hooked. It’s a nice, relaxed environment.” Fairfield Lifestyle spoke to Ashwin about his new venture.
FLM: What sparked the idea to open a men’s grooming shop?
AP: I have been a member of the Hammer & Nails Westport location for nearly 3 years. I reluctantly tried out their services at the insistence of good friends of mine from Florida who had opened a shop in Orlando and wanted me to try the service in Westport. I had always imagined myself as someone needing a very basic service, viewing haircuts more as a necessity. After giving in and making an online appointment via their app, I had my first time haircut with them and was blown away by the time taken to complete the initial consult, skill, attention and the complete experience, which included straight razor work, hot lavender infused towel, ending with shampoo and conditioning scalp massage and hair wash all right at your chair. This is when I realized it was more about self-care, loved the way I looked and felt, and signed up to become a member (20%-40% discounts on services and products). I booked my follow-up appointment, eager to enjoy the experience again.
FLM: How would you describe the vision behind the shop?
AP: Hammer and Nails, as a franchise, aims to create the ultimate grooming experience for men,, offering haircuts, shaves, beard grooming, facials, manicures and pedicures, with complementary beverage service, in an environment that is comfortable, man-centric and industrial-chic. The artists providing services are specialized experts in men’s grooming needs, following a tried-and-tested protocol that enhances the overall grooming experience. Having experienced this at Westport, my vision was to bring this premium self-care experience locally, at a convenient location for the greater Fairfield community.
FLM: How do you define “luxury” in the context of men’s grooming today?
AP: Our definition of luxury is the ability to offer a premium grooming experience in an environment where our clients feel comfortable and well-catered to. This begins with our industrial design aesthetic, complemented by beverage service and extends to haircuts, straight razor shaves, beard grooming, hair and beard coloring, facials, manicures, pedicures and eyebrow, nose and ear waxing. All these services are provided by licensed stylists, specializing in men’s grooming, following our custom protocols, all perfected and blended to create the ultimate grooming experience. Our clients feel refreshed and relaxed, and look and feel great.
FLM: What drew you to this particular grooming concept? What sets this shop apart?
AP: As a customer, I appreciated the adherence to protocols, and I know exactly what my service entails and what to expect at each visit. The goal at each Hammer & Nails location is to provide exceptional service by highly trained staff in a curated, comfortable environment that caters to men. We have built a stunning space and have hand-selected exceptionally trained staff specializing in men’s grooming who are passionate about what they do and how their clients feel at the end of the visit.
FLM: What values matter most to you when building a culture inside the shop?
AP: Providing an exceptional customer experience each and every time is the foundation of all we do and provide at Hammer & Nails Fairfield. This begins with hiring staff who are dedicated to the overall customer experience, building community and staying abreast of the latest trends and styles.
FLM: How did you go about curating your team of stylists and barbers?
AP: We look for artists who genuinely love providing men’s grooming services and who bring professionalism, integrity, mutual respect, and a spirit of community to their work.
FLM: What do you believe men are looking for in grooming now that they weren’t 5 to 10 years ago?
AP: Health & Wellness has taken center stage over the last couple of years,, and men have been no exception. In an increasingly digital world full of influencers, there has been an explosion in the sharing of both personal and professional experiences, and a sense of pride in looking and feeling good. Men and increasingly young adults are conscious of how they look and how that translates directly into how they feel. We see a fair number of young boys who share the grooming experience with their dads, and we were recently thrilled to offer our youngest client (2 years old!) his first haircut along with his father.
FLM: What services are emerging as the most popular?
AP: We see an increase in clients seeking our custom manicure and pedicure experiences that are unique to Hammer & Nails.
FLM: Both clients I briefly spoke to touched on the balance between luxury and approachability here. Can you speak to that idea when creating the space?
AP: As a franchise, Hammer & Nails has curated a design layout and aesthetic, emphasizing an engaging, comfortable, calming and relaxed environment catered to building a community of men.
FLM: What has been the most rewarding?
AP: Being able to bring this passion project to life and seeing our clients look and feel good, just as I did when I first stepped into a Hammer & Nails store nearly 3 years ago.
Hammer & Nails
340 Grasmere Ave. Fairfield, CT.
(203) 692-4428
hammerandnailsfairfield.com
@hammerandnails_fairfieldct
Providing an exceptional customer experience each and every time is the foundation of all we do and provide at Hammer & Nails Fairfield.