Meet Joseph Grover | Hairstylist & Salon Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joseph Grover and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joseph, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
There were a lot of creative, artistic people around when I was a kid. I grew up in a big, lively family, raised by a single mother who worked tirelessly with a group of artist activists in collaboration with local merchants and city officials to bring art, music, and culture to underserved communities like ours. With their creative talents they made remarkable changes in the way our community looked, and what it offered families, and children in particular.

I guess I’m saying my mother was a strong influence, and her ambitious pursuits exposed me to creative people making good use of their passions. I knew I wanted to also tap into my own talents and be part of something that nurtures transformation and growth. So, at sixteen, the beauty industry called out and grabbed hold of me, and decades later, I absolutely still love it! Not only is it fun to be creative with hair, but there’s a profound reward in enhancing the way people look, which relates to the way we feel. And feeling good about ourselves can have positive effects on how we view and interact with the world around us.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I became a Hairstylist over thirty years ago, mostly working in upscale salons in Boston and San Francisco, catering to both women and men. When I moved to Los Angeles in 2001, I left a thriving business behind in the Bay Area and literally rolled into Hollywood without a single client. Fortunately at that time the barbershop trend had exploded here, and even though men’s grooming wasn’t my specialty, I found some excellent training and quickly built a strong following. The first eight years here, I worked in trendy barber shops that handled high traffic, cranking out stylish cuts at affordable rates. These days, I work for myself, and see those same clients privately in my West Hollywood hair studio. It’s a micro-business, so it’s a very intimate, one on one experience. The contrast from the typical oversized bustling and noisy salon worried me a little in the beginning, but as it turns out, clients see the space, and the experience, as a refreshing change.

I’ve always loved doing what I do, but opening my own salon (10 years ago!) has been the most exciting and rewarding chapter in my career. I’m pretty much a one man show now and mostly work out of my studio on Sunset Blvd, but I also make the routine house calls that essentially saved my business during this pandemic. It’s a lot of work, but it’s also a thrill to manage the operation from every side. I use an online booking and retail site that has made my life so much easier! And I proudly retail, and exclusively use, the botanical-rich Kevin.Murphy hair products and hair color, which are kinder on hair as well as our planet. I even kept with the business model of affordable-style. Seriously, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made in the last decade to ditch the noise and drama of big shops in exchange for a more laid back, intimate, and rejuvenating experience.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well, after a complimentary “hairapy” session at Grover Hair Design LA, I’d get them outside for starters! One of the best things about living here is the weather. So, I’d take them to my favorite hiking spot in Bronson Canyon (what visitor doesn’t want to take the most epic Hollywood sign selfie for the gram?).

The Original Farmers Market is a lively place to people watch and grab a casual bite, while rooftop drinks are a great way to unwind, so we’d make our way to the Line Hotel in K- town. A mini-hike up Fern Dell trail would get us to The Griffith Observatory, and an afternoon picnic at Lechuza Beach is a great way to also enjoy a sunset.

Of course, I’d want them the see The Broad, and a performance at The Hollywood Bowl or Greek Theater. We’d hit some of my favorite happy hour and dinner joints: The Edmon, Osteria La Buca, and I’d show off a client’s speakeasy/tasting room in Atwater Village..F&Bar!

And for guests who like to explore on their own, I have a great guide: City Walks Guide To 50 Adventures On Foot In Los Angeles, by Eric Hiss, a good friend and client. I’d leave it as a little bedside reading. It’s a great way to dispel the notion that nobody walks in L.A!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Truthfully, none of us in the field of beauty and wellness would have much to offer without the amazingly patient instructors from Cosmetology schools and advanced education centers. Grateful for teachers and instructors who love what they do!

Every salon owner who took me in made an impact. But one of my earliest bosses, Joe Landry, is still a mentor and friend.

I have to credit my former business partner Gerry Manzo for believing I could be the boss before I believed it myself.

Daniella, Kari, and Doug, at Salon Republic! Signing my first lease was terrifying, but they’ve all had my back ever since.

I’m lucky to have a wonderful family and great friends who keep me focused on my strengths, and remind me of the things that truly matter in life.

All the loyal clients who still push me creatively, and inspire me to grow. For waiting endlessly on the bench back in the day, for camping out in front of the salon on early Saturday mornings (Joey Pitson!), and for following me through the trenches and sticking with me.

And two friends who helped me survive the last two years, which devastated too many small businesses like my own. During the 2020 lock-downs, the service industry basically had to reinvent itself. So, I masked up, grabbed my tools and supplies, and traveled from home to home. Luckily, my business survived, but I couldn’t have done it without HelpGood’s Michael Bellavia helping to work out the tech kinks, and SPY SCHOOL LOS ANGELES’ Eusebio Hernandez (shoutout returned!) who gave my brand a much needed boost of confidence and a sexy makeover.

A dedicated shoutout to them all!

Website: https://www.josephgrover.com

Instagram: grover_la

Image Credits
Eusebio Hernandez Joseph Grover