If you’re familiar with the blog, you know that I started a Black-owned business directory in 2020 to amplify Black voices and entrepreneurship in our community. It’s been so amazing to watch this list grow with so many incredible businesses. To celebrate Black History Month, I want to go a step further and get to know a few of the business owners listed in the directory. Check back weekly to learn about someone new!

Paulette Guelph, owner of Trendsetter Hair Clinic, is a long-term small business owner in the Kingston. She’s had the salon for 20 years! Learn a little more about Paulette, her salon and her advice to aspiring business owners.

Tell me about yourself
My name is Paulette Guelph. I am the Master Stylist and Owner of Trendsetter Hair Clinic located at 573 Princess Street, Kingston. Our salon has been serving a diverse, multicultural, unisex clientele for the pass 20 years in Kingston. We specialize in Afro Canadian hair textures, providing a wide range of services including chemical relaxers, braids, hair extensions, keratin treatments, dreadlocks, wigs. Our full complement of services is listed on our website: www.trendsetterhairclinic.com. I enjoy my work as a stylist serving my community, especially the transformational aspect of my work, where I get to bring smiles to people’s faces as they enjoy the effects of my work. This gives me the most satisfaction.

When and Why did you start Trendsetter Clinic?
Trendsetter Hair Clinic started in 2001, to provide the level of care we have been delivering to our guests. We are immensely proud of our ability to step up in this area and deliver these specialized hair care services. 

Why Kingston? 
This is my community and there was a need for this level of care and service in Kingston.

What has it been like growing your business here? 
My ability to serve this community for this length of time is mostly due to its diversity. I wanted to contribute and make a difference, and I get to do that everyday I engage with my guests.

Advice to aspiring business owners? 
Find your purpose and live in it. Focus on the work and you will be fulfilled and rewarded for every effort. Celebrate others and be happy for their success as you are climbing the ladder to your success. Have faith and confidence in your ability. Being in service of others is very humbling.

Anything you’d like to add?
Overwhelming gratitude to the Kingston community for supporting me through all these years. I do have clients from as far as Ottawa, Picton, Brockville, Cornwall, Brighton, Perth and many other surrounding areas as well. I appreciate the support from near and far, they all help to keep me going for 20 years. More than ever in these times, we need each other.

Small businesses need community support. Something I think about often, is the possibility that with all the support from the government to help keep our doors open – lack of enough community support will close them. The government can only do so much, the rest is up to us. When we shop online, consider the local business with online stores, do the curbside delivery, let us all do what we can. Let us put our intentions on project status and buy local, support local small businesses, buy Canadian so that we can come out of this better, not bitter.

“Celebrate others and be happy for their success as you are climbing the ladder to your success. Have faith and confidence in your ability. Being in service of others is very humbling.”

Paulette Guelph’s advice to aspiring business owners

Keep up with Trendsetter Hair Clinic on Facebook and their website

Paulette will be participating in our collaborative Meet and Greet for Black Kingstononians with Black Luck Collective on February 21! Get more details