Men's Salon Charlotte
Kathy LotierzoManager of Operations
I hail from: New York
About me: I've been married for over 20 years to a great guy. We have three children ages 7, 16 & 21. Prior to moving to the Charlotte area, we lived in Philadelphia where I was a manager & then owner of a large day spa & salon. If I had my way, I would spend most of my time visiting exotic beaches. I love to travel. I also enjoy yoga, spending time with my kids & writing.
I have lived: New York, Virginia, Chicago, LA, Philadelphia & Tega Cay, SC
A place I'm dying to visit: Morocco - anywhere with a great beach!
My favorite activities: yoga, gardening, being outside in warm, beautiful weather, writing
Why Emerson Joseph: I was looking to get back into the spa/salon business & was researching businesses in the Charlotte market. I really liked this idea. Also, I thought it would be a fun change of pace to work with men after years of working with women.
Billie Jo LinderMassage Therapist & Client CoordinatorI hail from: Shelby, NC
About me: Very much a people person. I've always taken an interest in health and fitness--overall well being--which led me to Massage Therapy. I Graduated from "The Whole You School of Massage and Bodywork". I continue to expand my knowledge, attending workshops and classes to further enhance my skills to better serve my clients.
I have lived: Sunset Beach, NC, Asheville, NC & Shelby, NC (I guess you could say I'm a Carolina girl!).
A place I'm dying to visit: I dream about being on an African Safari. Put me on the back of a Jeep, and let the adventure begin! I absolutely love to travel anywhere and experience new things. Although I love Shelby, and small-town living, I need to quench my thirst for adventure.
My favorite activities: Outside of work I have a passion for the outdoors; hiking, boating, & gardening. When I am indoors I like to cook, hang out with friends and show off my skills while I shake a mean martini!
Why Emerson Joseph: Although I love women--I am one, afterall--I think that men generally under-appreciate the value that a fantastic massage can have on their quality of life. I consider it my personal mission to change their minds & bodies with great massage. I also love servicing the public & interacting with people of all walks of life, so I spend a good deal of time at the front desk so I can meet & greet the masses! Emerson Joseph allows me to be creative, passionate & therapeutic. I can exercise all of my abilities.
Jeffrey RomaMaster Stylist & Training Director
I hail from: Niagara Falls, NY
About me: I have been in the grooming industry since 1994. As I gained experience in the industry, I discovered my passion was for cutting & caring for men's hair. This passion, combined with a thirst for knowledge, lead me to Boulder, CO and the American Crew Menswork Academy. This experience changed my outlook on my craft & clearly defined the direction in which I wanted to stear my career. After years of training, I became an educator among American Crew's elite group of stylists. To this day I continue to educate myself & the staff at Emerson Joseph; always taking my passion where ever I travel.
I have lived in: Niagara Falls, NY; Olean, NY; and Charlotte.
My favorite activities: I love to go antique hunting. I have a very large collection of Depression glass, and a few pieces of antique furniture... but there is always room for more. Cooking is another favorite hobby of mine. I love to cook for friends and have informal get-togethers.
Why Emerson Joseph: I read an article in the Charlotte Observer about Emerson Joseph; a new concept coming to Charlotte by way of NYC. I was more than intrigued. I had thought of this very idea; an upscale salon & spa for men with good taste & and the expectation of great customer service. I was their first first employee! I have loved the fact that I've particpated in building a business, building a brand & managinig the training & education of the whole staff.Hannah Santucci
Stylist
I hail from: Mount Airy, NC also known as "MAYBERRY"
I have lived in: Mount Airy, NC, Dallas, TX, and Charlotte
About me: I've been in the industry since 2007. It is so rewarding and inspiring. I love being in this field of work because there is always something new to learn and new people to meet. I lived in the country for 18 years but I knew in my heart that I needed to explore and experience the city life. I moved straight to Dallas, TX where I was enrolled at the International Dermal Institute. After being there I realized that I liked the city life but I wanted to be a bit closer to home. Charlotte seemed like the perfect balance.
Places I'd love to visit: I'm half Italian...so getting to Italy is a big priority! I look forward to trying out all of the foods and exploring the history of the countryside.
My favorite things: I would say that my family and my friends mean the most to me so whenever I have the chance to be with them, that's where I am. Also I'm a country girl at heart, so whenever new seasons come around there is always something new to be involved in like hunting, fishing, four-wheeling, muddin' or just going to the local swimming hole (the river). I also love cooking, singing, but most importantly, I love doing hair.
Why Emerson Joseph: The first time I walked into Emerson Joseph everyone made me feel so welcome and I knew right then, if I was offered the job, I would take it. I loved the refined, yet masculine atmosphere. Everyone that works for Emerson Joseph is not just there because its a job, its a passion and we all live our life wanting to make yours even better. Try it out for yourself and see if we can't reel you in!
Jennifer AkinsStylist
I hail from: Long Island, NY
About me: My father was in the Coast Guard so I have lived all of the east Coast; which was a great experience. I went to UNC Wilmington and graduated with a BS in Exercise Science in 2001. I then became a certified trainer and trained clients for over 6 years and loved it. It was then that I decided to go back to school and become a cosmetologist. I now live in Uptown Charlotte and do what I love — cut hair!
I have lived in: NY, NJ, CT, VA, SC, NC
My favorite activities: Run races, wakeboard, wakesurf, and play with my two dogs Dixie and Stoli.
Why Emerson Joseph?: You can find a few of my favorite things under one roof; men, sports and beer. It is a very cool atmosphere and I get to work with a great staff.
Kelley BrewerStylist
I hail from: Clover, South Carolina
About me: I've been in the industry since 2006 and absolutely love it! Working in Uptown is great with all of the excitement the city brings.
I have lived in: Russia, Clover & Charlotte
A place I'm dying to visit: Figi
My favorite activities: Spending time with my wonderful friends and family, nights out with my girlfriends, lying on a warm beach, sushi, and of course... shopping!
Why Emerson Joseph: What a great idea that men could have a relaxing place of their own to come in and get pampered.
John HaglandStylist
I hail from: Memphis, TN
About me: I majored in Theatre Arts and I do still act whenever possible. My main interest now is photography. I'm very happy that I moved to Charlotte (in 2009) and am enjoying the opportunities the city has to offer. That I discovered Emerson Joseph has been like icing on the cake.
I have lived in: Memphis, Wilmington & Charlotte
Places I'd love to visit: One word... Egypt
My favorite Activies: Photography, drawing, painting, walking the dog and traveling.
Why Emerson Joseph: EJ was exactly what I was looking for- an upscale men's establishment. I have been in the business since 1994 and worked in the same barber shop for most of that time. I was looking for something new & different. Rachael ThompsonStylist
I hail from: Charlotte, NC
About me: I've always wanted to do hair, and after giving college a try, I decided to go after what I really wanted to do. In 2005, I moved to LA and worked my way through hair school managing a salon in Santa Monica. I moved back to Charlotte a few years later and eventually found Emerson Joseph, a place I'm proud to call home.
I have lived in: Los Angeles and Greensboro, NC
A place I'm dying to visit: London, Portland, and Tokyo
My favorite activities: I love the little things in life cooking, gardening, sewing, being outside in the sunshine, making silly sketch/improv videos with my friends, taking pictures of everything, thought-provoking conversation, music, and the beach. I love playing with my cat Riley and hanging out with my handsome boyfriend Starkey.
Why Emerson Joseph: Men's cuts have always been my favorite thing to do and Emerson Joseph is a trendy, upscale salon for men in the heart of our wonderful city. I get to meet interesting people everyday and do what I love.
Deborah NorrisNail Technician
I hail from: Johnston County, NC
About me: Rather the re-creating the wheel, why don't you visit my website, and read all about me? www.iniiiart.com
I have lived in: Charlotte, NC for the last 15 years
A place I'm dying to visit: Italy, Spain, London & Paris.
My favorite activities: If you are a member of the Charlotte Athletic Club, you can catch me in yoga classes. If you are at a local park on the weekends, you might catch me doing Qigong. In my free time, I love to read.
Why Emerson Joseph: Cool building, cool name, great concept, wonderful staff, seemed like a great place to be.
Suzie JeboMassage Therapist.jpg)
I hail from: California
About me: Although I was a vocal performance major in college, I never pursued singing as a career. I have participated in a variety of performing arts groups in the past, but currently my only vocal outlet is in the shower or the car. As a mother of three smart & talented grown children, the lion's share of my joy is owed to them. I have been an entrepreneur most of my adult life, primarily in food service. However, I grew weary of working while everyone else was enjoying the party...so, now it's my turn! I am fasinated by the human body & amazed at how every single system is affected by a massage. Even though massage is considered a strenuous career, I have found it not only has strengthened my body, soul & spirit, but I am revitalized every time I give one. This is the most rewarding career I've ever had!
I have lived: Concord, MA, San Jose & LA, CA, Redmond, WA, Fort Mill, SC & Charlotte, NC
A place I'm dying to visit: Far starters, Cape Town, Spain, Prague, Costa Rica, Argentina & the south of France. I've very open to suggestions & love hearing your travel stories!
My favorite activities: Hanging out with my kids when they're in town, visiting my family in Cali, giving & receiving a good massage, kayaking, yoga, reading, meeting friends for coffee, catching a live band in NoDa, discovering new restaurants, cooking dinner with friends, sharing a bottle of wine, playing ping pong & tennis, traveling & anything spontaneous.
Why Emerson Joseph: I always aim high & shoot for the very best. This is a special place & it's an honor to serve the distinguished clients here as well as work side by side with some of the most talented & positive people in this community.
Daniel HuffShoe Shine Specialist
I hail from: Darren, GA
About me: I have been happily married for 34 years and I have three grown boys who all live in Charlotte. I'm an accomplished trombone player. I played for 40 years, but I've now retired from playing. One of these days I may come out of retirement for a day or two here and there to play for my co-workers at Emerson Joseph.
I have lived in: Augusta, GA and Charlotte, NC.
A place I'm dying to visit: I really want to visit Las Vegas. I have traveled extensively throughout the US with my band, but Las Vegas somehow slipped through the cracks.
My favorite activities: Playing piano and singing.
Why Emerson Joseph?: A good friend, Grady Parker, told me about Emerson Joseph. He said that they were looking for a trustworthy, hard-working person with experience. I knew that I was that person.
Rich KaczmarekShoe Shine Specialist.jpg)
I hail from: Pittsburg, PA
About me: I was born and raised in Pittsburg, PA. My father was a mechanic my whole life until he recently retired and moved to the Philippines. I have one 21 year old brother, who is still in PA with most of my extended family. I moved to Charlotte since 2007 with my girlfriend, Noelle.
I have lived in: Pittsburg, PA & Charlotte, NC
A Place I’m dying to visit: The Philippines. My dad has a house on the beach that I still have not seen. Hopefully I will get there soon!
My favorite activities: I’m a bit of a car buff and like electronics. I grew up around cars so I have a lot of interest in them and what is under the hood. I also enjoy spending time with my girl whenever possible. We like to go to the movies, out to dinner, or even just nice walks in the evening.
Why Emerson Joseph?: I chose Emerson Joseph because it was different that anything I had seen when I moved to Charlotte. I like talking to new people and I enjoy the atmosphere here. I really like the other people I work with as well; they made me feel at home as soon as I started.