I asked the usual questions... who, why, where, what color? Boris was a pretty cool cat, he was working hard and still making time to answer me. After a few minutes, he found time to sit down with me and answer a few questions. I went over my mental checklist, took a deep breath, then broke the ice, "BAM, what kind of crazy name is that anyways?"
Boris thought a for a second, smiled that half grin of his and replied:
"Well... let me think... BAM actually stands for Boris, Arsen, and Mikhail, the 3 Russian brothers who started the salon. We wanted a name that got people's attention and set us apart from other salons. Once we got the name down,Bam opened soon after in June of 2002, which means we've been around for over 5 years!
"How did you get the idea" I asked...
"After working in many different places and studying under many different names in hair design, me and my 2 brothers came together to start our own salon. We wanted to do things better than other salons, to create an atmosphere where people felt welcome. Not just another place to get a haircut, but a place where people could get great style and also have fun."
We have cut hair in Russia, New York, and the Midwest. which gives us a very worldly view of hair design. After all, we make great style and that's the reason that “ONCE YOU GO BAM, YOU NEVER GO BACK!”
So I asked, what makes Bam unique? Boris hesitated a bit, then replied…
“I think the answer to that question is that we are 3 brothers from a foreign country, we have more ideas of working with hair that we have run across from all over the world. The experience that we have has taught us a lot throughout our lives.”
He scratched his chin in thought, then continued… “I don't want to say anything bad about the other stylists in Duluth, but I think the techniques we have of cutting, styling, and coloring hair are usually more advanced than what most people have encountered in a small town like Duluth.”
I tried to soak it all in... then turned back to my scribbled notes and asked another question. "What are your plans for the future?"
Boris was excited to talk about this one, he thought for a few seconds, then spoke excitedly:
"In the future, Bam wants to expand the salon to 3 or 4 times it’s current size, making a bigger presence in the Twin Ports and eventually in the Twin Cities Metro Area. “Once Bam has grown,” says Boris, “then we can offer more services such as pedicures, manicures, facials, and other services. We’d like to have a bridal room where brides and bridesmaids can come to do their makeup, hair, and then get limo service back to the wedding.” It might be a little expensive, say Boris (in true Russian Style) “but beauty costs money”
With the answer to that question, another customer walked through the doors and (of course) Boris knew him by name. "HOW YOU DOIN?" he asked. I smiled to myself, thanked him for his time, and quietly left.