Like so many of us, Tony Joseph wasn’t sure what he wanted to do after high school. He enjoyed playing baseball, and enrolled at Mercyhurst’s North East campus to keep playing, but the luster soon wore off.

“I didn’t love it,” he said. “I went for about a year.”

Joseph returned home to Ellwood City, where his parents owned a beauty salon. They suggested he go into the family business.

“I was at loose ends. They said the school was only eight months, I could knock it out and start working.”

Joseph eventually worked his way to the top, running the salon for about eight years before deciding to branch out on his own by opening T2 Hair & Nails, 671 Washington Road. Joseph works alongside stylist Charlotte Graham and nail technician Anna Tanner.

Joseph believes the business will hit the ground running, as evidenced by the nearly 200 clients he had on a waitlist before T2 opened. “We like to emphasize body in the hair,” he said. “A lot of layers, a timeless kind of classic finish. Our products mirror that. A lot of shine, a lot of health.”

The salon will offer products from Redken, Milbon and Color Wow, along with Gel-X nails. “Acrylic is more common, but Gel-X is gaining a lot of steam,” Joseph said. Joseph attributes his lengthy client list to his staff. “We do top quality work,” he said. “It’s what you would expect expensive hair to look like. You’ll leave here with red carpet hair.”

Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, noon to 8 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: 412-660-3525. t2hairandnails.glossgenius.com
Instagram: t2hair.nails