A story of passion
Following in the footsteps of a visionary father
Written by Place de la Cité | May 25, 2021
In this series, our contributor Julie Blondin goes out to meet the entrepreneurs who make up the soul of Place de la Cité. Between laughter and confidences, they open up to share their story and that of their business with us. We invite you to dive into their world too, one conversation at a time.
Following in the footsteps of a visionary father
A taste for entrepreneurship is in Rafaël’s genes. He enthusiastically reveals how his father passed on to him his passion for hairdressing, but also for business.
How was your company founded?
“In 1973, my father Pablo Jimenez left Spain to settle in Quebec with only $5 in his pocket,” Rafaël tells us. Pablo then spent a few years working as a hairdresser for various salons in the city before going into business for himself. This determined man had an even bigger dream than styling clients; he also wanted to be able to sell specialized styling products to the general public. Not long after, in 1977, Pablo’s dream came true with the opening of the Coifferie Internationale at Place de la Cité. And that’s no small feat! “At that point, he became the first retailer in Canada to sell professional hair products to ordinary people,” says his son, Rafaël, who now runs the company.
How did you become an entrepreneur?
“In view of the company’s growing popularity, my father asked me for help and I became his business partner in 2012,” explains Rafaël. In the same year, a second branch opened, followed by other salons. It’s clear that the father-son duo not only share a great bond, but also an excellent business sense!
Varied products, personalized service
Every head of hair that comes into the expert hands of Rafaël is unique, and the enthusiastic entrepreneur makes sure to find the best products for each person’s hair.
What is it that still keeps you so passionate?
For Rafaël, the challenge and the pleasure of the job lie both in the unique needs of each head of hair and in the rapid evolution of the field. “Every client has different hair needs. With the huge choice of products, I like to try to find the one that will meet everyone’s needs.” Fragile hair, curls to define, or even a bold cut: nothing is impossible for Rafaël and his team of experts!
Evolution and change are also part of the pleasures of the job, according to Rafaël. He explains: “The world of hairdressing is a world that follows fashion trends. As it changes every season, I like to stay on top of new developments, new methods, techniques and advances in the field of hair care.” The result? The multi-talented entrepreneur is an absolute master of his art, and customers keep coming back for his meticulous and ultra-personalized service.
What makes you stand out?
“Our company, which specializes in hair products, has the widest range of brands and lines for men and women,” Rafaël says proudly. At Coifferie Internationale, you will find a wide range of exclusive imported products from Europe, Australia and several other countries. And as if that were not remarkable enough, the selection also caters for all budgets. So there is something for every hair type!
Family ties at work
Continuing and growing the business founded by a visionary father is no easy task. Rafaël tells us about the challenges of the job.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced?
Without hesitation, Rafaël tells us about the biggest challenge for him: “recreating the family spirit and sense of belonging that my father had managed to establish”. For him, his company and his employees are truly part of the family. He adds, “I would like to be able to develop a sense of belonging and a friendly relationship with each of my employees.” And this concern for his team and his customers is palpable and heartwarming. For that, Rafaël, we take our hats off to you!
