'It's a Family Affair' By Donnie Nemitz, Chief Operations Officer, The Hair Specialists, Stow, Ohio Yes, I borrowed the title from the '70s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Sly and the Family Stone. It's a great song and an appropriate title for my message. To introduce myself, I am Donnie Netmitz and I have spent the past 25 years building a career in manufacturing and IT operations. My wife, Kelly, is the founder and owner of The Hair Specialists in Ohio. She is also a certified Master Hair Loss Specialist and sometimes wears that cool white jacket. Maybe like many spouses, at first, I did not completely understand her profession or the whole hair thing. I just assumed it 28
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was all about extensions. However, over the years I have grown in both appreciation and amazement for her, her team and professionals in the hair loss and restoration industry. Even though a significant other typically would have zero skills, I feel we can play a huge role for our partners, but more importantly, those men, women and children out there searching for and needing a solution. But here I am and hope you — actually your significant other — may take something valuable away from this viewpoint. Or at minimum, I at least stuck a song in your head for the rest of the day because you googled the title.
My core message centers around the reality that hair loss is not a solo act by the professional in your circle. You can have an impact simply by being able to break down a barrier with a client or prospective client simply by being an unexpected source of information. Being passionate, supportive, and engaging with folks goes a long way. Hair loss is super private, and I feel it means something to clients when you are just as excited about their hair as they are. (Even if you have no idea what a topper is). Allow me to explain by providing some real-life examples. Imagine meeting anyone where the formality of introducing each other’s occupations is in process. Typically, when I explain what I do, there are not a
