Sam on Rigsby

225 reached former Lockworks owner and founder Sam Brocato by phone standing on the Manhattan steps of Sam Brocato Salon, his new style emporium in SoHo. The renowned hairdresser and entrepreneur has known Frederick for more than 35 years.

You know, this fall Rigsby’s salon celebrates its 25th anniversary.

Wow! I didn’t realize that much time had passed. That’s an amazing accomplishment. Baton Rouge is really fortunate to have a Rigsby.

What was your impression of him when you first met?

High energy and ready from the get-go. That was my first impression. I thought, this guy has a heart so big, and he genuinely loves people. And our clients really responded to that.

What made him a good hire for you?

Rigsby and I are a lot a like in that we both think globally. You know, I grew up in Baton Rouge and never once thought that because I was in Louisiana that meant I couldn’t succeed in this business or in anything I wanted to do. Rigsby’s the same way. I never thought I couldn’t open a salon in New York, and here we are. It’s funny where life takes you.

How long did he work for you?

It was five or six years, but I can’t really say he worked for me, because we worked so well together. And really, our friendship all these years has exceeded anything we did back then. I love that guy. He’s so special to me.

You both have strong personalities, but you managed to figure out what worked. How?

He’s so unique and had incredible energy, for sure, but he directed that toward learning and being a team player so that when he was ready, he could lead effectively. And that’s exactly what he’s done.

His confidence must have rubbed off on the Lockworks team.

I’ll never forget being at a hair show at the Waldorf Astoria, and Rigsby was the first to recognize that what we were doing in Baton Rouge was just as creative as what we were watching happen on stage. I remember him saying, ‘We’re already that good. Why are we paying to see this?’

Like Rigsby with sculpture, you have another strong creative passion, and that’s music. He tells me you were one of the best young guitarists in Baton Rouge when you met.

Well, I’ve just always played and had fun doing that. And I tell you, I’m waiting right now on this guitar I’m having refurbished. I bought it in New York in 1974 when I hitchhiked here from Baton Rouge, and it’s killing me waiting to get it back.

So many other successful salon owners in Baton Rouge got their start with you. That’s a great legacy and a testament to what you were able to accomplish through Lockworks.

Yeah, it’s fantastic to see everyone doing well. Lockworks turned into such a hotbed of creativity in those days, and really—it’s been a year since we opened this salon—that’s exactly what we’re trying to do here now in New York. We’ll see how it goes.

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