Femme Forward – Lancaster, PA

Brittany and Chloe are the enthusiastic duo behind the vibrant Disco Cowboy hair collective. Their journey began as acquaintances at the same salon, and their shared dreams of crafting a unique space drew them together in an unlikely way. Their salon’s aesthetic feels like a Pinterest board come to life – literally. The name Disco Cowboy was born from the Pinterest board where they gathered ideas for their dream salon, and the rest is history.

The team at Disco Cowboy just celebrated the businesses 1 year anniversary. With 365 days of collaboration and growth under their belt, Brittany and Chloe continue to work on their vision for the salon. What sets this salon apart from others is not only their aesthetic, but their genderless services and hourly pricing, which can be especially intimidating to newcomers. But don’t worry – Brittany and Chloe broke it down for me in simple terms.

As far as genderless services, its exactly what it sounds like. Genderless services at a salon mean that services, like haircuts or coloring, are not categorized or priced based on gender (like “men’s” or “women’s” cuts). Instead, they’re based on the type of service or the time required to complete it. For example, instead of charging differently for a “men’s” and “women’s” haircut, the salon might charge based on the hair length or the complexity of the cut. This approach promotes inclusivity by offering the same options and prices for everyone, regardless of gender, making it a more welcoming environment for all clients. No matter the gender or style needs of their clients, the team at Disco Cowboy is equipped to help you make the most of your appointment and find out what works best for you.

Hourly pricing at a hair salon means you pay based on how long your appointment takes, instead of paying a fixed price for each service. For example, if the salon charges $100 per hour and your haircut and color take two hours, you’ll pay $200. This approach can give more flexibility because you’re paying for the time and attention your stylist spends with you, rather than for a specific service. Hourly pricing can be better for salon employees as well because it ensures they’re paid fairly for the time they spend with each client, especially for more time-consuming services like color treatments. Instead of getting the same pay for short or long appointments, employees are compensated based on how long they work. This can also reduce the pressure to rush through appointments, allowing them to focus on providing higher-quality service. It can lead to more predictable earnings and better work-life balance since they’re paid consistently for their time.

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Another important thing to note about hourly pricing is the elimination of tipping, since employee’s are already being paid a living wage for their work tipping is not required. The concept of tipping workers as a way for them to make a living wage dates back to the post Civil war era. After the abolition of slavery, many businesses hired newly freed Black workers but didn’t want to pay them fair wages. Instead, they expected customers to tip these workers as a way of compensating them, reinforcing the idea that they were not worthy of a stable, full wage.

This practice was most notable in service industries where Black workers, particularly in positions like porters and servers, were disproportionately affected. The tipping system allowed employers to avoid paying a proper wage, relying on tips to supplement the income of their workers. This legacy of underpayment, rooted in racial inequality, continues to impact tipped workers in the U.S. today, especially in states where tipped workers are still paid below the standard minimum wage. In Pennsylvania, the minimum wage for tipped employees is $2.83 per hour, but the total compensation from tips and base wage must be at least $7.25 per hour. These guidelines were enacted a little over 2 years ago, in 2022.

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The values and personality behind Disco Cowboy is what attracted new clients and team members alike. Brittany and Chloe say most of their clients find them through social media, and this was the case for their salon staff as well. Building their brand to reflect their businesses mission has remained on of their strong suits, and has continued to bring in clients to keep the team’s books full. Their commitment to the business and to each other is so fun to watch. While interviewing Brittany and Chloe, it is obvious that their friendship is the backbone of their thriving business and that their personalities have come together perfectly allow their partnership to flourish and to create the salon of their dreams as a team. If you are looking for a new salon where you will feel right at home, Disco Cowboy is the best place to start. Their work is posted across social media, as well as their specific pricing information and other FAQ’s.

Visit their website https://discocowboyhaircollective.glossgenius.com/ to book or check out each team member on Instagram!