Oct. 22 marked a very special day for Catarina Dos Santos as she celebrated a full decade of her hair studio being in business.
The milestone was formalized with an open house at the studio, located at 3687 10 th Sideroad in Bradford. Set up as a customer appreciation event, guests were offered complimentary food and drinks, as well as goodies and special sale items. Three local vendors, who are also customers of the studio, were set up in the
space, which included an Indigenous jewelry beader, a home décor crafter, and a potter.
Five per cent of all sale items at this event were donated to The Clothes Line in Bradford. But that shouldn’t be a surprise to people who know Dos
Santos because she donates a percentage of her sales to a different charity each quarter. The generosity doesn’t stop there, as Saturday’s event closed off with a prize draw for her customers valued at over $200.
Santos Hair Studio hasn’t always been at its current location. Initially, the business opened in the West Park Plaza, which lasted five years, however,
Dos Santos felt her hair studio could run more efficiently out of her own home.
“We basically had to re-do our entire basement,” Dos Santos explains. “I really wanted to make it feel like a welcoming salon space, not just like you’re going to someone’s house.”
Dos Santos offers hair cutting, hair colouring, creative colouring, customized cuts, and hair and scalp treatments. She has been cutting hair professionally for 22 years and hasn’t looked back.
Dos Santos reflects, “I’ve always known I wanted to cut hair, even from a young age, it was something I just knew. Making someone feel their best self through their hair is what inspires me and gives me a sense of accomplishment.”
Jumping right into beauty and aesthetics college after high school, she continued to build her experience working at different salons in Ottawa, Toronto, and London.
What made Dos Santos so passionate about styling hair from a young age?
“I just love that I can use my hands to create,” Dos Santos says. “Second to that, it’s the connections I get to make with my customers.”
Following up with kind words about the Bradford community, which has been faithful and supportive of her business since the beginning, she has a lot to be
thankful for.
The future is looking bright for Santos Hair Studio, which survived the pandemic closures over the past two years, and with plans to expand.
“I’m always looking at new ways to grow, to improve, and give back,” Dos Santos says, “but I’m perfectly happy with where I am right now.”
