Community Highlights: Meet Dominic Ruscetta of Angelo Haircuts and Shaves

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dominic Ruscetta.

Hi Dominic, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Before I found scissors and clippers, I spent three days each week immersed in IT operations—crunching tickets and optimizing servers. But on the four days I had off, I craved something hands-on, something creative. My wife, Sheila, challenged me to use that free time constructively, and I realized my true passion lay in the ritualistic precision of a straight-razor shave. So I enrolled in barbering and cosmetology school, intent on mastering an age-old craft.

Earning my barber’s license was just the beginning. I noticed there wasn’t a single shop nearby offering the classic hot-towel straight-razor shave, so I set out to fill that gap. In under a year, my little barbershop became the go-to destination for men chasing that old-school luxury: the warmth of the towel, the whisper of the blade, the confidence boost you feel when you leave looking—and feeling—your best.

After four rewarding years, Sheila and I sold the shop, eager for a change of scenery. We landed in Seattle, where I stepped into the world of luxury grooming at The Art of Shaving. It felt like the pinnacle: a chance to refine my technique in a high-end environment, learn new customer-service rituals, and immerse myself in an international brand’s standards. But Seattle’s steep cost of living nudged us back south.

We chose Atlanta’s suburbs and I spent the next seven years cutting hair in Kennesaw—honing every fade, lineup, and beard sculpt until it felt second nature. Yet the idea of a one-on-one sanctuary for clients kept calling to me. I wanted a space where every detail—from the music selection to the hot-towel fragrance—was fully tailored to each guest’s needs.

That vision became my private studio. Today, every appointment is a personalized ritual: hot towels, straight-razor face shave, product consultations, and more. Looking back, the transition from IT professional to barber-preneur taught me that real success comes from marrying precision with passion, and community with craft. And I’m only just getting started.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the toughest challenges was the repeated “reset” every time we moved. Relocating to a new city meant re-licensing, learning local regulations, and—most painful of all—starting my client list from zero. I’d spend weeks handing out business cards, posting in neighborhood Facebook groups, and offering discounted walk-ins just to fill the chair. Seeing that empty schedule over and over was a slow grind on my spirit.
Building a steady clientele taught me there’s no silver bullet. Word-of-mouth is king, but it moves at a glacial pace.
Self-doubt was a constant sidekick. Late nights I’d lie awake asking, “Did we make the right move? Should I go back to the stability of IT?” It was hard to silence that voice telling me my dream was a frivolous gamble. Every slow week felt like proof I was failing my family and myself.
Through it all, I treated every client appointment like the Super Bowl. I leaned on every technique from school, asked thoughtful questions to understand their style goals, and used product demos and light upsells to boost the bottom line. That relentless focus on excellence turned first-time clients into regulars—and slowly, month by month, filled my calendar again. Those struggles didn’t break me; they taught me resilience, creative marketing, and the power of treating people like VIPs.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m now the sole proprietor of a private studio built around two simple goals: total relaxation and an unbeatable straight-razor shave. Every detail—from the lighting and playlist to the premium hot towels—is chosen to help clients decompress the moment they walk in.
By operating strictly on appointments, I give each guest my undivided attention. My service flow looks like this:
– Consultation: We talk through their style goals, daily routines, even their stressors.
– Hot-towel prep: A steamed towel softens the hair and calms the mind.
– Precision cut: I blend classic clipper work with modern fading techniques.
– Signature razor outline: A straight-razor crisp up of the neckline and sideburns that you simply won’t find anywhere else in the area.
– Product tutorial and close: I recommend exactly what they need to maintain the look—and then send them out feeling like a new man.
This one-on-one focus not only ensures consistency and quality, but it’s how I’ve grown a truly loyal client base—everyone leaves feeling heard, refreshed, and confident

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My biggest supporter is my wife, Sheila. I could rely on her not only to help move the body, but dig the hole. She would make sure if perfect dug and covered properly.
When I hit those “maybe I should work part-time as a Walmart greeter” lows, she looked me dead in the eye and said, “Stop being ridiculous — be patient, keep your chin up.” And she humors my wild dream that every day should feel like Black Friday, with clients lining up around the block for a hot-towel shave. Her blend of practical help, relentless encouragement, and perfectly timed reality checks is the reason I have the confidence to keep building this business, one shave at a time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ruscetta.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/domzilla13/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HaircutsbyAngelo
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelo-ruscetta-b8425517/