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Beyond the Scissors: My Father's Mustache's Journey to Win Salon Today 200 Award

COOKEVILLE, TENN -- In an exciting achievement for Cookeville's local business community, My Father's Mustache has been honored with the 2024 SALON TODAY 200: Customer Service award, which highlights 200 U.S. hair salons with the best customer service in the industry.

My Father’s Mustache, one of the top hair salons in Cookeville, is owned by local residents Brittany Fletcher Elmore and Debbie Fletcher, daughters of Cookeville icon “Mister Wayne” Fletcher. This national recognition is a testament to the salon's commitment to providing a first-class customer experience, evidenced by its’ 4.7 star rating on Google with a staggering 534 reviews.

Owners Brittany Fletcher Elmore and Debbie Fletcher expressed their gratitude, stating, "Several factors have contributed to our ongoing success, including our heavy involvement in the community, our student outreach team, and our commitment to excellent guest experiences, each and every time."

The salon has become a cornerstone of community support here in Cookeville, engaging in various activities such as supporting local groups like Genesis House and the Upper Cumberland Foster Closet, where the salon provides Back to School Haircuts to those in need. The salon is a Tennessee Tech Connect partner, providing perks and discounts to students; they also enjoy participating in the Night to Shine Prom, sponsored by Rising Above Ministries and The Tim Tebow Foundation, offering hair, nail, and makeup services to prom attendees.

It’s no surprise that the salon has quickly become a foundation in the Cookeville community. Debbie and Brittany’s father, Mister Wayne Fletcher, used to tell his daughters frequently, “"We don't just cut hair – we change lives." That’s become a mantra for the duo, who opened at their current location in 2016.

For the sisters, My Father's Mustache is more than just a salon; it's a living tribute to their dad, the late "Mister Wayne" Fletcher, an iconic local beauty industry figure. Mister Wayne's dream took root in December 1979 when he and wife Melissa opened Mister Wayne's Beauty and Barber School in Cookeville, TN. Born in Sparta, Mister Wayne recalled working as a shoeshine boy in a small barbershop there. He was a 1962 graduate of White County High School and a proud veteran of the United States Navy. After his service, he attended Hassler Barber College at night and eventually opened Tennessee's first California Concept salon at 100 Oaks Mall. He later moved to Cookeville, where he opened a Markham Unisex Salon on the TTU campus. The salon was designated the "Best All-Around Shop in the Southeast" by the renowned Jim Markham, a stylist to the stars and founder of the Pureology product line.

“The memories, values, and skills passed on by Wayne Fletcher are the core of what our salon company stands for: teamwork, community and family. We take great pride in our heritage."

-- Brittany Fletcher Elmore

Visit the salon

The salon, proud to be disability- and LGBTQ+ friendly, goes beyond haircare, creating an inclusive environment where all clients are welcomed. Debbie and Brittany shared with us that, "over 70% of salon guests feel anxious when they visit a salon for the first time. That’s why our salon strives to create a welcoming atmosphere, especially for our first-time guests."

From the moment guests step in, they are greeted warmly and offered a choice of beverages, including local craft beer like Red Silo, wine, mimosas, or water. Complimentary hand massages for adults and free fingernail painting for kids add a special touch. A digital consultation form filled out in advance ensures that both stylist and guest are aligned on services and budget. Continuous communication from arrival to checkout elevates guests’ comfort and convenience. With extra time built into each appointment, the salon offers indulgent extras like scalp massages and extended shampoo time.

Post-COVID, the salon introduced changes including a "text-in" system for checking in to the salon, allowing clients to comfortably wait in their vehicles or enjoy the salon’s outdoor seating in a prime location just off the campus of Tennessee Tech. Outdoor games like cornhole and frisbee keep families entertained. Planning extends beyond the salon visit. Stylists discuss future appointments and send clients home with product prescriptions, ensuring they can maintain their look between visits.

These additional details, on top of the traditional salon experience, truly go the extra mile in making customers feel appreciated. The salon provides an extensive array of services, including hair services for men, women, and children; facials, dermaplaning, permanent cosmetics; spray tanning, lashes, and waxing; as well as manicures and pedicures. One of the most-recommended businesses in Cookeville, My Father’s Mustache offers a full-service salon in the heart of Cookeville. While the salon does accept walk-ins, appointments can be scheduled from their website.

This award is not just a recognition of the salon’s talent with shears and foil; it's a celebration of their dedication to making every guest feel special. Congratulations to the team at My Father's Mustache for this well-deserved honor!

Thank you to Hip Cookeville for Featuring this article on our company! See below to visit the original posting!

https://www.hipcookeville.com/news/beyond-the-scissors-my-father-s-mustache-s-journey-to-win-salon-today-200-award