Invasion of Privacy: A Little Off the Top Hair Shop owner, Randilyn Stewart
Photo Courtesy of Meys Photography
For the first Invasion of Privacy this semester, The Lamron brings you the local owner and stylist, Randilyn Stewart, of A Little Off the Top Hair Shop. The grand opening of the shop in August 2017 realized a life-long passion for Randilyn, as she started her stylist journey at only seventeen years old. In her words, she had “always found [her] way back to hair,” even when working full-time in other careers.
Setting up shop close to a college campus, especially with Randilyn’s daughter attending SUNY Geneseo, has made Randilyn “really appreciate [her] college student clientele.” She elaborated by saying, “I love meeting students from all over and getting to know them while they’re here in Geneseo!” By sitting in Randilyn’s chair, you will get to know her as well, especially if the topics include the Buffalo Bills or Christmas; as Randilyn said, “Throughout the year, my mind is never too far from thinking about what my obnoxiously big Christmas display at my house is going to look like.”
However, while experiencing the joy of getting to know clients, being the owner of A Little Off the Top Hair Shop was not without its challenges. COVID-19 put additional stress on many local shop owners, Randilyn’s shop included, but more recently, she has faced health issues that “have taken [her] away from the shop at times.” Randilyn nearly made the decision to close A Little Off the Top Hair Shop, but she ultimately chose to completely revamp the business—a 180 degree switch from the option of closing down. Reflecting, Randilyn said, “I’m so glad I didn’t make the choice to close.”
The relief of Randilyn’s decision to not close the shop can partially be attributed to the joy she experiences “seeing how happy people are with their hair, or even just seeing how much joy they get from coming into the shop!” Randilyn specifically mentioned wanting “everyone to feel like they’re not just going to get a haircut, they’re visiting a friend.” A goal that she’s certainly achieved, with SUNY Geneseo students returning after summer break to “tell [her] they waited all summer to get their haircut” from her, with Randilyn saying, “That’s a huge honor to me!”
Many clients become her friends, and “the support and love [she] get[s] from them is unmatched and amazing.” Randilyn has been lucky enough to find a community and build a career that “feeds [her] soul” in this little cow town. If Randilyn had to pinpoint a favorite part of her career, she said, “it’s being able to go to work and truly do what I love every day,” something that everyone can aspire to!
After a few years in the making, Randilyn’s most recent accomplishment is becoming a sensory stylist. The decision to work towards the certification was born from several clients telling her “how calm and relaxing” her shop was, including parents who said “their kids loved coming in,” with many saying their children were asking for a haircut, “where before they wouldn’t want to.” This high praise caused Randilyn to think and research about types of appointments, leading to the discovery of sensory-friendly haircuts and her pursuit of the certification.
Becoming a sensory stylist was important to Randilyn because of her belief that “having a positive haircut experience is a right, not just a luxury.” In her own words about who sensory-friendly haircuts are for, she said, “Sensory haircut experiences are for anyone with, but not limited to, sensory sensitivities, ADHD, autism, anxiety, or panic disorder, as well as anyone who would simply like a quiet haircut experience.”
You can find A Little Off the Top Hair Shop at 118 Main Street, Geneseo. While the shop currently does not have a website, you can text or call for an appointment at 585-245-2658. Randilyn is also working on growing her social media following on both Facebook and Instagram. So, whether you have been looking for a sensory-friendly place to get your haircut, or want to brainstorm Randilyn’s newest, “obnoxiously big Christmas display” while you are in the chair, A Little Off the Top Hair Shop is the perfect place to visit!