Some businesses begin as a dream. That’s exactly how William Gleason started Hairdresser On Fire. Established on August 16, 2002, it is located at 176 Broad St. Services include, full highlighting, color services, permanents, keratin treatments, men’s, women’s, and children’s haircuts, massage therapy, facial waxing.

All hair services include a consultation, shampoo and conditioning, stress relieving scalp, neck and shoulder massage, and your choice of a makeup touchup or a hand treatment.

William was born in Deep River and raised in Middletown. He attended high school in northern Maine. He then moved to Brigham City and Provo for a year. William was a missionary in Portugal for two years. Upon moving back to the US in 1994, he took up residence in Enfield, where he then attended the Connecticut Institute of Hair Design in East Hartford. Following training, he went to NYC where he worked for Sebastian International as an educator for a year. He moved back to Connecticut, taking up a job at Panache in New Haven, near Yale University. He then moved to Windsor, working at Cutting Edge for about a year. Following that, he opened up his own salon.

William says he wanted to be a hairdresser since he was five years old. It all started with wanting a Barbie Styling Head for Christmas. People informed him that wasn’t going to happen because Barbie is for girls. Therefore, he never did get that gift. Yet, he was not deterred from his dream. Once he was done doing his missionary work in Portugal, he was determined to get his hairdressing license. Before that, he had wanted to work at a salon while in high school. His parents did not want him to as they were afraid what people would say. They told him to wait until he had graduated. “I just knew I wanted to be a stylist or do stuff for film and television.” Later on, William answered many want ads. Employers wanted to hire him, but strictly on commission. “I couldn’t make a living on commission because I had no clients.” Linda at Cutting Edge here in Windsor offered William minimum wage, which he took and worked there for about a year.

Shortly afterward, William discovered a small salon called, Designs at 176 Broad St. The owner was giving up her business and leave for West Hartford. The space became available. William says, “I kind of wanted to branch out and see if I could run a business.”

Hairdresser On Fire was born, and has since thrived for over sixteen years so far. The name derives from a song by British pop star, Morrissey.

William loves the town, “I fell in love with Windsor and I’ve never wanted to leave since. Instead of doing New York again, I settled for an awesome town.” He notes that Windsor reminds him of the town he grew up in, Deep River. “I feel like, everybody whether you like it or not knows your business. Everybody knows each other. There’s a certain amount of safety and security within that.” He says he thinks Windsor is a diverse town.

He now lives in the center of it all, at the Windsor Station Apartments. William is a former Windsor Jaycees member and currently tours with the Hartford Gay Men’s Choir. He has been a constant contributor to the Windsor High School Arts Department and their various events for students. William is a member of the Chamber of Commerce.

On his off time, William takes care of his grandson, and often goes clubbing when time allows.

Three words that describe William: Unique. Fierce. Madonna.