RICHARD NICHOLAS SALON: $28 GETS YOU A $60 HAIRCUT + FINISH

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It's not every hair salon that comes with a full-fledged philosophy behind it, but the Richard Nicholas salon in Rittenhouse has bent more than a few standard biz practices over the last three decades en route to its sweeping success. For one thing, they serve everyone from CEOs to hipster college students, and what's more, they treat everyone equally.

"There is no hierarchy. There are no job titles," says owner Nick Berardi, his own wavy, dark hair reflecting more of the former type of client rather than the latter. "Everyone is either a 'stylist' or a 'colorist.'" Salaries are the same across the board. And haircuts cost the same amount for both genders.

You also don't expect a long-standing "cut and color boutique," -- on Sansom Street since 1982 -- to be so nimble on its feet. Rather than shy away from the new wave of internet and social media of the last few years, you could say the salon has fully embraced the new models and paradigms. Not only does Richard Nicholas have a website (richardnicholas.com), they offer up videos, a blog, and various web offshoots, including scissorcandy.com, a stylist-as-rockstar site.
This did not necessarily come easily, at least at first. Nick is quick to dole out the credit for the salon's updated web presence to his two sons, Nick Jr., 37, and Joey, 27, who came back to their parents' salon after a few years exploring different stylist opportunities in L.A. and Las Vegas, respectively. When they returned, they came back with a wealth of knowledge about the biz and a growing appreciation for the new technologies that were blowing apart old business models. To wit, the boys have updated the salon's website to better reflect the diversity and brevity of the bustling business.

In discussing the philosophy behind the salon's tremendous success, you will hear Nick pepper his phrases with the word "Zen" and concepts such as "The Four Levels of Competency" (traveling from 'Unconscious Incompetency' to 'Unconscious Competency' -- the highest level of technique). Paradoxically, he has found his greatest success, financial and otherwise, exactly by not straining for it. The egalitarian vibe of the place is reflected in the harmony of its 17 employees. There isn't any giant drama going on behind the scenes, Nick explains, just a fun group of people who enjoy working together. And that bit of simplicity is, perhaps, the key as to how everything comes together and works so effectively.