Empowering Women in Business: Janet D’Amato of Damato Beauty Group

At Kara Reese Photography, we celebrate the strong, ambitious women who shape our local community through their businesses. As part of our “Power of Her” series, we had the pleasure of photographing and interviewing Janet D’Amato, the driving force behind Damato Beauty Group, which operates Salon Brillare and Benessere Salon & Spa Suites in the Lake Country area. Janet’s passion for beauty, mentorship, and business shines through in everything she does, making her a true inspiration.

Meet Janet D’Amato: A Champion for Beauty Professionals

Janet D’Amato has been in the beauty industry for over 38 years, with a deep love for fashion, hairstyling, and all things beauty. But beyond the artistry, she has a heart for mentorship. Since becoming self-employed in 2003, she has dedicated herself to helping beauty professionals take the leap into running their own businesses.

“Starting your own business can be scary,” Janet shares. “I wanted to mentor beauty professionals and help them believe in themselves. Watching them transform from nervous and uncertain to confident and successful is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.”

The Journey of Damato Beauty Group

Salon Brillare opened its doors in 2004, located on the edge of Waukesha and Pewaukee. The early years were tough—building recognition in the community was a slow process, but Janet persevered. “There were plenty of times I wanted to quit trying. But I kept giving it my all.”

Fast forward nearly 20 years, and she and her husband have built a thriving business. In 2023, they expanded, opening Benessere Salon & Spa Suites in Pewaukee, which launched to great success.

“Suite leasing is incredibly popular these days, and all 25 of our suites filled up quickly!” Janet says. “It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come. And I owe a lot to my husband—his work ethic, skills, and support have been invaluable in building out these salons. We’re a great team. With my knowledge of the salon industry and his background in trades, we have found the perfect business platform to utilize our skills.”

A Unique Approach to Beauty Services

Under Damato Beauty Group, Janet’s salons provide spaces for independent beauty professionals to thrive.

• Salon Brillare is an open-concept facility for independent stylists and nail technicians, featuring 22 styling stations and four nail areas. “We have incredibly talented stylists, and many have been with us for over 15 years!”
• Benessere Salon & Spa Suites offers private suite leasing for a variety of services, including hair, nails, brows, lashes, facials, massage, hormone management, weight loss programs, permanent makeup, and more.

“My biggest goal is matching the incoming customer with the right beauty professional! Making them feel good and look good is great, but connecting them with a fantastic beauty professional they can rely on, makes me very happy!”

Challenges & Triumphs

Like many business owners, Janet has faced significant challenges. One of the toughest moments was navigating the COVID-19 salon industry shutdown. “Helping my stylists stay positive and motivated, and to seek resources for assistance helped get us through. I think I cried every day.”

Another major hurdle was securing financing for Benessere’s expansion. “Getting financial backing from two different lending agencies was a challenge,” Janet explains. “But purchasing our building instead of leasing was a game changer—it secured our future growth.”

Her biggest achievement? Building a business as a single mom and proving to her children that hard work and perseverance can turn dreams into reality. “I started my business as a divorced single mom. I wanted to prove to my young kids that you could do anything you set your mind to. We didn’t have to rely on anyone else to put our pieces back together. Now knowing that we have two salons—what a ride!”

Advice for Women Entrepreneurs

Janet’s advice for women looking to start their own businesses is simple but powerful:
✔ “Don’t take no for an answer.”
✔ “Get yourself a mentor.”
✔ “Seek out and surround yourself with people you want to be like.”

Supporting Local & Giving Back

Janet is a passionate advocate for local businesses, frequently promoting and referring other professionals in the community. “I am a big proponent of supporting our beauty professionals on social media. Any chance I get, I offer referrals for the businesses that helped build our salons—electricians, plumbers, flooring companies—if I had a great experience with you, I will tell EVERYONE 10 times!”

She is also deeply involved in autism awareness, particularly the Good Friend Organization, which helps support individuals on the spectrum. “My son was diagnosed later in school with Asperger’s. I was 100% on a mission to help my son live a better life, and to learn how to better manage his diagnosis. ‘Good Friend’ was definitely a part of our journey!”

Looking Ahead: The Future of Damato Beauty Group

In the next five years, Janet envisions expanding Benessere Salon & Spa Suites to add 12 more suites by 2026. While she knows the time will eventually come to put down her shears, she’s in no rush. “There will be a time when I make the decision to hang up my shears… but I want to prolong that decision as long as possible. My clients are part of my ‘family.’”

She also credits her husband, Cass, for keeping her grounded and motivated. “He’s my rock. He gives me pep talks, reminds me to take my power back when I feel defeated, and helps me develop a thick skin in business.”

Powerful Women, Stronger Together

Janet D’Amato is a true powerhouse, embodying resilience, leadership, and generosity. Her commitment to her team and community is inspiring, and we are honored to feature her in our Power of Her series.

To learn more about Janet’s salons, visit:
🌟 Salon Brillare – 1840 Meadow Lane, Grandview Plaza (Waukesha/Pewaukee border)
🌟 Benessere Salon & Spa Suites – 601 Ryan Street, Pewaukee

For more inspiring stories of female entrepreneurs and to book your own professional headshot session, visit Kara Reese Photography. Let’s continue to celebrate and support the incredible women shaping our community!