Today we’d like to introduce you to Alphonse Deeby.
Hi Alphonse, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Dynfly began more than 10 years ago as a hair-coloring-only salon founded by my business partner with a vision of providing exceptional color services in a more convenient and accessible way. In 2021, I was invited to join the business as a partner, bringing my own passion for growth, innovation, and client experience. While my partner continues to work full-time behind the chair and also co-owns the internationally recognized 6 Salon locations in Birmingham, Royal Oak, and Detroit, our shared focus at Dynfly remains simple: deliver the highest-quality hair services using industry-leading products while putting our clients’ time first. Our patented booking system allows guests to book appointments when they need them most—even when those stubborn grays suddenly appear. Over the years, we’ve expanded our services, product offerings, and talented team of stylists, while maintaining our commitment to convenience, quality, and exceptional results. As a proud L’Oréal partner salon, we continue to offer the latest innovations in hair color and care. Most importantly, I’m proud of the incredible team we’ve built and our ability to help every client look and feel their absolute best.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like many businesses, one of our greatest challenges was navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, the decision was made to franchise Dynfly, and I, Alphonse Deeby, became the company’s first franchisee. I had the unique experience of opening my first two locations during the very week the world shut down. What should have been an exciting period of growth quickly became a test of resilience. With little revenue coming in and significant expenses continuing to go out, it was an incredibly difficult time not only for my locations but for the company as a whole. Through faith, perseverance, and the dedication of our amazing team, we weathered the storm and emerged stronger than ever. The experience taught us invaluable lessons about leadership, relationships, and the importance of staying true to our vision. Ultimately, we concluded that franchising was not in the best interest of our clients, team members, or brand. As a result, my partners and I regained sole ownership of the company, a decision that has allowed us to strengthen our culture and continue building Dynfly with purpose and pride.
Another significant challenge has been recruiting experienced, high-level stylists in Michigan. As salon suite concepts became increasingly popular, attracting seasoned talent grew more difficult. Fortunately, many of our team members have been with us since the beginning, but as our business expanded, so did our need for additional talent. Rather than competing for a limited pool of experienced stylists, we chose to invest in the future of our industry. We began recruiting top graduates directly from cosmetology schools and dedicating six months to a year to training them in the Dynfly approach to service, technical excellence, and client care. Today, this has become our preferred hiring model, and we are incredibly proud of the skilled professionals and artists these young stylists have become. What started as a challenge ultimately became one of our greatest strengths
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Dynfly?
Growing up in Metro Detroit, I was raised in the automotive industry. My grandfather and father dedicated their lives to the business, and from a young age I was determined to follow in their footsteps. I spent my summers working at my family’s dealership, learning every aspect of the operation—from washing cars and delivering paperwork as a kid to eventually understanding sales, service, operations, and dealership management. When my father made the difficult decision to sell our dealerships in 2020, I found myself at a crossroads. The automotive industry was all I had ever known. Around that time, my longtime friend George Nikolai approached me with an opportunity to join Dynfly. While I knew virtually nothing about the beauty industry, George recognized that my strengths weren’t in hair color or styling—they were in business operations, financial management, efficiency, and growth.
When I joined Dynfly, I spent my first year learning. I listened to our stylists, studied the business, and immersed myself in every aspect of salon operations. Once I understood the industry, I began implementing systems designed to improve efficiency, profitability, and long-term career opportunities for our team. We transitioned from an hourly-pay structure to a performance-based career path that rewards growth, skill development, and client retention. This not only strengthened the business but also created greater earning potential and career longevity for our stylists. We also introduced inventory controls and operational processes that significantly reduced waste and improved overall performance. Today, my role is focused on leading the business side of Dynfly—supporting our team, optimizing operations, mentoring staff, and ensuring we continue to grow without losing sight of our culture. Most days you’ll find me in my office working on the business or at the front desk greeting clients and connecting with our team. What I love most is building something meaningful alongside people I trust. Dynfly is more than a salon to me; it’s a family, and I am incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together. More importantly, I believe we’re just getting started.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
If I had to choose my favorite childhood memory, I’d have to cheat a little and give you two because I simply can’t pick between them. The first is growing up attending Detroit Lions home games with my father. While the Lions didn’t win many games during my childhood, the memories we created together were priceless. Those Sundays became a family tradition, and the time my father and I spent cheering, celebrating, and sometimes commiserating over the results created a bond that has lasted a lifetime. The conversations didn’t end when the game was over—we would spend the entire week talking about what happened, analyzing plays, and looking forward to the next kickoff. Looking back, it wasn’t really about football at all; it was about the time we spent together.
My second favorite childhood memory is walking into my first boxing gym with my father when I was just a few years old. Boxing became much more than a sport for me—it became one of the greatest teachers in my life. Through years of training, I learned discipline, perseverance, mental toughness, and the importance of never giving up on yourself, even when the odds seem stacked against you. Those lessons have stayed with me far beyond the ring and continue to influence how I lead and operate our business today. Boxing taught me how to remain calm under pressure, think clearly in difficult situations, and trust in the work I’ve put in. Whether I’m facing a challenge in business or in life, many of the values that guide me today were first learned in that boxing gym alongside my father.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Dynfly.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dynfly/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dynfly/
