A passion for barbering and a knack for people. It was less than three years before they started to encounter full books, daily. They spent their spare time together, marketing themselves, mixing and mingling with locals within Bergen County, NJ and in turn, acquired a strong, loyal following of men that supported their every move.
They decided to bring their book, and purchased Salon Salon Rocks in Glen Rock, NJ. With this space, they split it down the middle to accommodate the loyal clients the previous salon was experiencing, as well as their own.
Stag and its counterpart, The Mane Loft, have since moved to a larger location in Saddle River and have continued to immerse themselves in local flavor, carrying products from New Jersey and New York, as well as hosting events after hours. Through the support of their staff and clients, Stag is already on its way to becoming a Bergen County cornerstone.
The team.
I found my passion for hair during high school when I presented my final senior oral project about the beauty industry and demonstrated an updo on a mannequin in front of an audience. While I initially explored the dental world and pursued dental hygiene, I soon realized that my true passion lay in hairdressing. I quickly enrolled in cosmetology school and began working at a salon where I met my best friend and future business partner, Christine. Around the same time, I became a mother to my first son and found my forever career. Upon receiving my cosmetology license, I discovered a fascination for the art of barbering and the energy that came with it. I was drawn to the intricacies of each detailed fade and the relaxation of a hot lather shave. Christine and I recognized the strength of our partnership and decided to start our own business in 2015, which we now call our home. Together, we have built an incredible team, and our partnership and friendship continue to grow stronger each year. In my free time, I enjoy being a mother to my two boys, and we love to travel as a family and explore new places each year. I spend most of my days behind the chair in our barbershop, but I still have a passion for women's hairdressing. I am continually impressed by the work of our stylists and the art we bring to life each day! My favorite products I like to use is the 'Davines' pliable medium paste and the shine wax.
Fun fact: Rachel was born in Philadelphia but was raised in The Netherlands for almost 10 years. Dutch is her first language and still speaks it at home.
I began in the industry in 2005, jumping right behind the chair the week I got my permit! I couldn’t wait. I worked for Supercuts for 6 years, and after running 2 stores and traveling to Rome for intimate training, I changed my focus in 2009 to solely the barbering industry.
I later started at a barbershop in Franklin Lakes, and found my future business wife, Rachel. There, we applied our unconditional selves, and truly met some amazing forever guests, many we have had in our chairs for over a decade, side by side.
Stag House is our prized possession together. And I get to do this beside my brother, and my best friend. Win win!
Before Stag, I fell in love with the nostalgia of barbershops, the rich history and the constant overturn of my chair. I mostly fell in love with art of human connection. This is Stag’s mission. Now, although my focus is in short classic barber cuts and styles, I still play with color and love to heal and maintain long layered hair. My favorite product is the Davines OI conditioning butter, it’s a life saver.
I later started at a barbershop in Franklin Lakes, and found my future business wife, Rachel. There, we applied our unconditional selves, and truly met some amazing forever guests, many we have had in our chairs for over a decade, side by side.
Stag House is our prized possession together. And I get to do this beside my brother, and my best friend. Win win!
Before Stag, I fell in love with the nostalgia of barbershops, the rich history and the constant overturn of my chair. I mostly fell in love with art of human connection. This is Stag’s mission. Now, although my focus is in short classic barber cuts and styles, I still play with color and love to heal and maintain long layered hair. My favorite product is the Davines OI conditioning butter, it’s a life saver.
Fun fact- Christine loves a road trip and has visited tons of states in the US. Her favorite state so far is New Mexico!
I have been passionate about hair styling since I was a teenager. I started my career as a hairstylist and worked my way up to become a salon manager. I specialize in women's hair and also have experience in barbering. I love creating new looks for my clients and making them feel confident and beautiful. As a salon manager, I oversee the day-to-day operations of the salon, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and that our clients receive top-notch service. I am dedicated to staying up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques in the industry to provide the best possible experience for everyone who walks through our doors. I take pride in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable and valued.
As the Event Coordinator and Client Relations specialist at Stag House, I also serve as the unofficial comic relief and official Wedding Coordinator. With a background in illustration, graphic design, and body modification, I love helping clients enhance their appearance and boost their confidence. I enjoy building relationships with clients and feel grateful to be part of the talented and kind team at Stag House.
Kevin is our dedicated and talented barbershop manager, overseeing all aspects of our shop with a keen eye for detail and a passion for customer satisfaction. He has been honing his barbering skills ever since he first picked up a pair of clippers, and his expertise is evident in every haircut he delivers. With years of experience under his belt, Kevin not only ensures that our barbershop runs smoothly, but also provides top-notch service to every client who walks through our doors. His commitment to the craft of barbering and his friendly, professional demeanor make him an invaluable part of our team.
During my later years in High School, it was evident that a four-year college just wasn’t for me. I’ve always had an interest in counter culture, horror movies, and music. I loved to see the ever-changing hairstyles that celebrities and musicians wore and always enjoyed the more unique, different styles and personas that these industries provide for people in them, creative expression has always been alluring to me. My passion for hair and the Cosmetology arts is a direct reflection of the creativity I’ve admired, and hairstyling, cutting and coloring has blended the line between career passion and a hobby. I truly enjoy creating and making people feel great about themselves. Prior to the dawn of my career, my friends let me play with funky colors and cuts and they, like I, enjoy the unique styles the music industry tends to placate. After some time just having fun and making my friends and family beautiful, I knew Cosmetology School was perfect for me, it fit right into what I’ve secured as a full-time hobby all along. I enrolled into Capri Institute’s Barbering Academy in 2015, and I’ve been focusing on my craft since then, completely. I secured a job at a local barbershop with a heavy focus on just continuously growing and improving the skill I fell in love with. Barbering was such an easy skill for me, I naturally understood the techniques and styles, and continued to improve my craft with more textured haircuts, fades, classic Reuzel style pompadours and the like, and after a few years in my hometown, I decided it was time for me to move along to a bigger, more fashion-forward establishment. In 2021, I joined Stag House’s team right in time for their move from Glen Rock to Saddle River, New Jersey. I knew Stag House was the perfect fit for me, they are trendy, yet unique, high-end, yet relaxed. This is a place where we are all encouraged to be ourselves while carrying the professionalism and unified energy that the guests I’ve established could enjoy with me. I know that my craft will only improve over time, and in joining Stag, I am confident that not only can I hone my talent into a perfect version of itself, but I can pass my skill onto younger, more green barbers in the future.
Fun fact: Rob is a die hard horror fanatic, collects movies, and has seen and blogged about just about every single horror film out there!
My passion for the makeup arts truly started in high school, where I began doing makeup applications for the theatre group. I fell in love. I have worked for several companies starting with Too-Faced in 2005 and following that, had a beautiful 11 year career with MAC Cosmetics. With MAC I was exposed to an amazing culture of talented artists that were all there to teach and learn from each other. It was an inspiring atmosphere, which became a standard for me. Stag House is perfect for me in that regard. MAC provided me with continued and further education for the entirety of my career there, I did nothing but excel. I utilized their professional benefits while establishing myself as a Christine Valmay graduate and license holder in Esthetics. I’m in heaven. Pouring myself into the industry and watching it change and morph as is also my most favorite part of my industry. The creativity and change one can experience just with the right tools, products and color palettes never ceases to amaze me. My love for skincare and makeup have carried me in my 20 plus years in my ever passionate career. I was attracted to Stag House’s culture from the beginning, the energy, support and uniqueness of this salon was exactly what I needed to fluidly adjust from corporate to small business. Now, I find myself growing my skincare practice within Stag, I specialize in bridal makeup and even offer lessons. I’m thrilled to be part of this team and continue to explore every corner of my amazing industry!
Fun fact: I’m also missing an internal organ.
I discovered a love for beauty that extended far beyond the salon chair. While I started my journey as a hairstylist, I soon realized that the magic of transformation was not limited to just hair. It was in the flutter of long, luscious lashes, the perfectly sculpted brows, and the strokes of artistry that makeup brought. My journey through the beauty industry became a thrilling adventure, leading me to explore the realms of lashes, brow lamination, and makeup. These magical tools allowed me to enhance natural beauty and boost confidence, turning every day faces into works of art. As I dove into this captivating world of beauty, I discovered that every set of lashes and every stroke of makeup had a story to tell, a unique expression of individuality. I love exploring the world of lashes, brows, and makeup. It's a story filled with fluttery lashes, bold brows and a dash of color, where every face is a canvas, and I'm the artist creating a masterpiece.
Jess is a highly skilled and seasoned hairdresser with extensive experience in both barbering and women's hair. With a passion for creating unique and stylish looks, Jess has honed her craft over many years in the industry. Her expertise in both traditional barbering techniques and modern women's hair trends makes her a versatile and in-demand professional. Clients appreciate Jess's attention to detail, creativity, and ability to bring their hair visions to life. Whether it's a classic men's haircut or a trendy women's style, Jess's dedication to her craft shines through in every appointment.
I have been a seasoned hairstylist for many years and I take pride in offering top-notch hair services for both men and women. With my keen eye for detail and passion for creativity, I excel in delivering stylish haircuts and stunning hair color treatments. My expertise and dedication to my craft make me a sought-after professional in the industry. Whether it's a classic men's haircut or a trendy women's hair color, you can trust me to bring your hair visions to life with precision and flair.