The Covid-19 pandemic came and flipped the world upside down overnight, but many local business owners were able to maintain and bounce back, just as good or better than before the pandemic. Let’s meet with one of our local business owners whose business survived through it all.
Charles “Chuck” Darghali, owner of Salon Shear Brilliance in Fort Gratiot, has been a resident of Port Huron since the tender age of three years old when his parents moved here from the Metro Detroit area. Born to Syrian parents who unknowingly lived in the same village back in Syria, met by chance — or fate — after moving to the United States. Darghali got his start as an entrepreneur by helping his dad run his business after graduating high school.
“I graduated high school and I didn’t want to go to college at first, so my dad knew the only way he could get me to go to school is if I worked 16 hours a day everyday with him at the party store. I couldn't do it after two months so I was like, Uhh I’m done, I need to go back to school,” says Darghali.
Inspired by his father, who used to be a hairdresser, Darghali decided to take a shot at it himself. After college, Darghali opened up Salon Shear Brilliance in 2008. Business was going well up until 2020 when the country was confronted with the pandemic and the shutdown of many businesses, schools, and organizations.
Salon Shear Brilliance was no exception to the effects of the pandemic and had to close its doors. “When it first happened slowly things started shutting down, and I was like there’s no way they are going to shut down salons, it's just not gonna happen. I thought we were priority at one point and they shut us down. That was a shock,” says Darghali.
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Charles Darghali opened Salon Shear Brilliance in 2008.After being shut down for two months and no income, Darghali began to feel the pressure. He began to worry more and more not knowing when or if his business would be allowed to open again. As his savings account dwindled just to keep his bills paid, Darghali watched others receive federal aid while he waited.
“I have friends who applied, and have gotten it. I'm just sitting here like, Okay when is my turn, waiting and waiting.” Darghali says.
After conforming to the new state rules and regulations the salon was able to reopen its doors to the public. “When we opened up, customers were a blessing, people were blessing us with big tips, and I was able to buy all of the stuff we didn't have money for,” says Darghali.
Salon Shear Brilliance is once again back to its former glory and serving customers again.
“I get to make someone happy by just cutting their hair and being their friend again. I love coming to work, I love taking care of customers. I love what I do,” says Darghali.
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