Brad Mondo's Evolution: from Salon Floor Sweeper to Openly Gay Mogul
By Chloe Bennett
Brad Mondo was born Brad Gesimondo in October 1994, growing up in Franklin, Massachusetts. His immersion in hairdressing began before he was tall enough to stand comfortably behind a hydraulic chair. His father owned a traditional neighborhood salon, exposing Brad to shears, perms, and bleach mixtures throughout his formative years. He began at the lowest rung: running towels through laundry cycles, stocking backbar shampoo bottles, and sweeping up hair clippings after eight-hour client rotations.
That baseline salon discipline kept him grounded when the fashion industry called. Rather than staying confined to small-town appointments, Mondo moved to New York City to work editorial shoots, high-stakes runway events, and private bookings as a celebrity colorist. Working backstage at New York Fashion Week taught him precision styling. Still, the traditional salon business model felt constrained. Traditional stylists waited for walk-ins; Mondo envisioned reaching millions through an iPhone camera.
Chloe Bennett explores the intersection of pop culture, streaming entertainment, digital trends, and contemporary lifestyle. Her weekly commentary reaches thousands of culture enthusiasts.
