Theresa Vassallo Galati: The Heart Behind Vanity 18’s Success in Lake Como, NJ

LAKE COMO, NJ - Theresa Vassallo Galati, a fourth-generation hairstylist, has transformed her passion into a thriving business in Lake Como. Vanity 18 , her popular salon, has become a cornerstone of the local community, renowned for its excellent service, community involvement, and unwavering dedication to quality.

“I wasn’t crazy about the older tech or the classic techniques that my mom was doing,” Theresa begins, reflecting on her journey. Despite coming from a lineage of hairstylists, her path wasn’t straightforward. After a brief stint in college, a transformative haircut experience in Staten Island ignited her passion. “I didn’t know that hairdressing could be that way,” she recalls, crediting that moment as the inspiration to open her own salon.

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Theresa’s first venture was a modest salon in West Belmar, situated in a home her mother owned. “We were really small. I onkly did a few haircuts a day,” she reminisces. However, through relentless hard work and continuous education, her business grew beyond the confines of that small house.

The expansion led her to Lake Como, where she established Vanity 18 at the corner of 18th and Main. “I opened it on a credit card. I didn’t have a dollar to my name,” Theresa admits. Her vision was clear: to be an integral part of the community, engaging in cut-a-thons and fundraisers. “I feel like that’s how our salon grew,” she explains, emphasizing the role of community engagement in their success.

Opening its doors on January 22, 2010, Vanity 18 quickly became a local favorite. One of their most popular attractions was Walk-In Wednesday, offering discounted services without compromising on quality. However, the pandemic brought this event to a halt. Despite this setback, Theresa found a silver lining. “It brought us to a better place because now we really have been mostly by appointments and it has just created such an efficient way of working,” she notes.

Theresa’s commitment to quality extends beyond service to the products she partners with. As a national educator for J ohn Paul Mitchell Systems since 2007, she believes, "Your salon quality is only as good as the products you partner with.” Vanity 18 boasts a full retail area of Paul Mitchell products, offered at prices cheaper than Ulta and Amazon, reinforcing the shop local mindset.

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“The community is great. Our landlords are amazing people,” Theresa beams. She attributes much of her success to the supportive environment cultivated by local businesses and residents. While summer tourists add a seasonal boost, the core of Vanity 18’s clientele is local. “We have a lot of summer people coming and going, but that’s not even 10% of our makeup of our business,” she clarifies.

In a region where salons dot nearly every block, Vanity 18’s success stands out. “We’re just really lucky,” Theresa says humbly. The salon’s popularity has created opportunities for growth, and they are actively seeking new stylists to join their team.

Looking ahead, Theresa envisions even greater efficiency and community involvement. “Our vision is to bring back things like Walk-In Wednesday,” she reveals. Staffing constraints have temporarily paused this initiative, but the salon’s fundraising efforts remain robust. “Our fundraising in 2025 is going to be geared toward first responders,” she announces. This initiative, inspired by previous successful campaigns, will involve various events throughout the year, with all profits supporting local first responders.

Theresa’s story is one of resilience, community spirit, and an unyielding passion for her craft. Vanity 18 is not just a salon; it’s a testament to what can be achieved with dedication, a supportive community, and a heartfelt vision. As Vanity 18 continues to grow and evolve, it remains an example of how small businesses can thrive and make a significant impact in their communities.

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