Richard Pizzuto: Hair Genius, Keely Shut-er Up-er

Ladies and gentlemen, halt the press. The impossible has happened: I’ve found someone with the ability to turn me into a pushover.Shocking, I know. I myself am unsure how to proceed. My mom may go into cardiac arrest upon hearing this. Actually, she may go into cardiac arrest upon hearing me address others as “ladies and gentlemen.”  She assumes that I still refer to people as "stupid-head" and "booger breath."

This miracle man is none other than Richard Pizzuto, the hair genius of Fresh Salon and Spa who salvaged my seemingly unsalvageable locks in last week’s adventure. As told in that story, I asked him at the end of my haircut to participate in one of my Five Question Interviews. I hope to use the interviews to highlight people around town that one should get to know. Use my New Girl ignorance of the established social order to my advantage. Construct character profiles based on delightful encounters and all that. (In fact, I’m not even happy with calling them “Five Question Interviews.” I want it noted that they are profiles of the people who make Sarasota the gem it is. Maybe “The Voices of Sarasota?”… comments with suggestions are welcome and appreciated; my addled brain seeks relief.)

Richard and I meet at the Serving Spoon on Osprey at 9:30 on a Wednesday morning. He is about to start his day; I am just finishing mine. Occasionally, my “I’ve been awake and working for hours and am slightly hopped up on caffeine” morning persona can be intimidating to people who are just awakening. Not Richard---he’s up for the challenge. He has an appointment at 10:00, so we get right down to business.

New Girl (NG): I like to know how people landed in Sarasota. What’s your story?Richard Pizzuto (RP): After I sold my salons in Philly, I was essentially retired. I wasn’t doing much. Turns out I’m not too good at not doing much ... My girlfriend certainly didn’t hesitate to tell me that. She strongly suggested that I find something to do.

So, I decided to buy a wine bar. I invested in a franchise, The Grape, and we moved to Sarasota. I wasn’t complaining---I was made for this climate.

This was in June of 2005. The Grape was fun, but didn’t work out. It ended up being for the best---I was able to return to my passion, hair. I started working at the Met in St. Armands and then another salon over there. Through the networking that’s inevitable in Sarasota, I got to know Scott, who worked at Fresh, and his wife, and was eventually pulled over here by them.

I like it---it’s the right feel for me. There’s a youthful clientele who tend to be the style-setters around town. Right now, this clientele has expanded so much that we’ve outgrown our current space. We’re looking for a larger location downtown, and will be moving there in September. So from The Grape to St. Armands to Southside Village to downtown, I’ve been able to experience the best of Sarasota and continue to find more.

NG: Do people really tell their hairdressers everything? Tell me some of the outlandish things you have heard---names excluded, of course.

[Note: this is the possibly apocalyptic moment when north and south reverse, pigs begin to fly and I accept another's boundaries without pushing. Also note Richard’s devilish chuckle before answering, which tells me there are stories galore.]

RP: Yes, people really do tell their hairdressers everything. I can assure you that is no rumor. I think it comes from comfort and a level of intimacy. When you sit down in my chair, you’re entering a position of trust. You’re allowing me to put my hands on your body, ceding control to one of the most visible parts of your appearance. Once you take that leap of faith, a loosening of the tongue makes sense … a glass of wine never hurts either.

However, it’s not right to talk about those things, even without using names. My lips are sealed.

[Note: Seriously?! There’s a gold mine under that refusal. But I know he won’t crack and wheedling him won’t help. I make the grown-up decision to respect his wishes and move on. Later, of course, I’ll call my mom and whine about the mean man who didn’t tell me everything I wanted to know. Just kidding, Richard---you’re far from a mean man.]

NG: Give us a tip on how to survive summer in Sarasota, in terms of hair and/or life in general.

RP: Go back to the basics. Wear sunscreen. Drink plenty of water. I suggest spending some time at the Tiki Hut at Marina Jack's. It’s a fun place to unwind, there’s always a breeze and the people watching can’t be beat.

In terms of hair, always, always, always put a protective lotion on your hair before going to the beach or spending long periods of time outdoors. Living here, it’s essential.

NG: I’m sensing you’re an astute observer of mankind. Do you have a message to pass on? A lesson learned from your own life and years of being let into the secrets of others?

RP: Family comes first.

Literally, they have to come first. Turning your back on your family for a friend or a relationship is the worst thing you can do. I see too many people make this mistake and wish they had put blood before water later on.

NG: You know what time it is … tell me your favorite thing about me!RP: This is the easiest question yet. You’re adventurous. That’s an irresistible trait in a woman.  You’re outgoing and don’t let life pass you by. It delights me to see someone who actually gets out there and isn’t afraid, who hops on the roller coaster of life without hesitating.

If nothing else, these traits bring joy to my life. I know that every time you sit in my chair, I can anticipate a good story or two. I suspect other people feel the same way. I also suspect you’re outspoken in a relationship, which makes me wonder if I should feel sorry for the men you date, or envy them …

Didn’t I tell you he was charming? Charismatic? A font of wisdom? He even managed to make me blush.

Although I find it frustrating when sent my direction, I suspect my favorite thing about Richard is his discretion. As my chronicles show, I have no hesitation in revealing the less-than-ideal aspects of my own life. But I try to respect the privacy of others. As Richard suggests, it may be a trust thing, or it may be a morality thing. In my case, it’s likely a “I desperately want people to like me and think I’m the best so I’m terrified to do anything to upset them” thing. But that’s for me and a team of highly trained individuals to figure out.

Before Richard leaves to make his 10:00 appointment, he flashes an “I know I won this round” smirk. “All finished?” he asks. I nod.

“Good. We got through it without too much personal information being revealed. I like that.”

I don’t, and I ask why he does. As usual, he leaves me with something to mull over: “I like to choose my audience when sharing personal details about my life," he says. "Privacy is a rapidly disappearing privilege, and I like to maintain mine. I’d rather have people look at me and wonder rather than look at me and criticize.”

So, while I can’t reveal any of his secrets here, I recommend taking a seat in his chair the next time you’re looking for a new cut. He’s willing to open up there, on his turf, when the comfort and trust is reciprocal. Don’t tell him I told you, but I suggest asking about how he got into hair and the years he spent bouncing between Paris, London, New York, L.A. and Miami after his time in the army. The tales are sure to delight, and the shampooing will leave your jaw on the floor. That's one area in which Richard will never disappoint.