Anne and Frank Bennett Recognized for Legacy in Staten Island

By Danielle Wiseman, Staten Island Chamber of Commerce

Anne and Frank Bennett, Owners of A.F. Bennett Salon & Wellness Spa, have created a family on their corner of New Dorp Lane.

Anne and Frank, both originally from Brooklyn, have been together for over forty years. The pair met as teenagers and hit it off right away, instantly bonding over their shared interests and aspirations. Pivoting from his original career of carpentry, Frank explored various pathways until he found his true passion, hair. Anne, an innately gifted artist, fell into the trade more naturally, and the Bennetts attended beauty school and obtained their cosmetology licenses simultaneously.

Before making their way over to Staten Island, Anne and Frank Bennett began their beauty legacy in Brooklyn. Their first salon, Innovative Hair Concepts, opened in 1989 and quickly gained popularity among locals.

"Anne is a classically trained hairdresser and makeup artist, and she specializes in precision haircutting and microblading," says Frank. "When I was learning how to do hair, I couldn't stand cutting. I learned how to color, and I knew that it was my niche right away."

Outgrowing Innovative Hair Concepts almost immediately, Anne and Frank Bennett opened a larger studio in Brooklyn, Salon Queue. Salon Queue took off just as quickly as Innovative Hair Concepts did, and the Bennetts' clientele followed them to their new location.

"When Frank and I first decided to start our own business, we didn't have a lot of mentors to look to," reminisces Anne. "My father had a restaurant on Hylan Boulevard in the 1970s, but he passed away before he could share any business insights with me. We both had a strong entrepreneurial drive, so we started from scratch and found our own way within the industry."

Recognizing their talent as a pair, Anne and Frank expanded yet again and opened A.F. Bennett Salon of Arts and Science on 86th Street in 1993. The innovative salon took Brooklyn by storm, attracting customers from near and far to the sleek, intimate, and welcoming environment. Building upon their clientele from the first two stores, A.F. Bennett Salon of Arts and Science exploded, and the Bennetts decided that it was time to open a second location.

A.F. Bennett Salon & Wellness Spa opened on New Dorp Lane in 1998, just five years after opening the original location in Brooklyn, and it quickly became a household name in Staten Island. Expanding from traditional hair services, A.F. Bennett Salon & Wellness Spa on New Dorp Lane includes a full selection of wellness services, including facials, massages, and other body treatments.

"Coming from Brooklyn, which was very isolated, we weren't entirely sure what to expect in Staten Island when we moved here and opened up here," says Anne. "Staten Island is a very tight-knit community, and that community embraced us right away. They will rally behind you when you need them, and we're so blessed to have been a part of this supportive community for almost thirty years."

The Bennetts have poured their hearts and souls into A.F. Bennett, fostering a space that exudes warmth, positivity, and comfort. All of the Bennetts' stylists are trained in-house at A.F. Bennett upon graduating from cosmetology school, and the Bennetts take immense pride in the fact that they never outsource stylists from other salons.

Natural born teachers, the Bennetts established Paul Mitchell the School NYC in 2007, the first cosmetology school to open on Staten Island. In addition to owning the school, Anne also served as Dean of Students and Program Director. Since Anne is licensed in every area of cosmetology, she also aided in admissions and taught various courses throughout the school, entrenching herself in the academy as much as she could. Through the Paul Mitchell School, the Bennetts have developed thousands of stylists, makeup artists, and estheticians.

"It is an absolute pleasure to get up every day and work with people that I truly love and care for, and I couldn't be prouder of my staff, who have become more like family," says Anne. "It really fills my cup to watch my hairdressers care for our guests and help them feel beautiful both inside and out, knowing it's exactly how I would do the job."

Anne and Frank's son, Frankie, has also been involved in the business since he was a child. A graduate of St. John's University, Frankie now works full-time at A.F. Bennett, learning from his parents in everything from styling to managing.

Due to the nature of their work, the Bennetts are heavily involved in the Staten Island community. The Bennetts are active members of their church, ZION Staten Island, as well as the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. Frank also serves as an Assistant Scout Master for the Boy Scouts and on the Board of Directors of the New Dorp Lane Business Improvement District.

For their accomplishments, Anne and Frank Bennett are being honored with a Louis R. Miller Business Leadership Award, which they will receive in the Established Businessperson category. The awards, which are presented by the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and the Staten Island Advance, honor the memory of Louis R. Miller, a businessman and West Brighton resident who was also a community leader.

"We've tried to be there for the community and uplift them during hard times, especially the pandemic, and in turn the community has been there for us," emphasizes Anne. "We lead every day with positivity, encouraging others to do the right thing and believe in good values and morals. We can only hope that our influence has made an impact on the community that we call home."

Current occupations: Co-Owners of A.F. Bennett Salon & Wellness Spa.

Hometown: Todt Hill/New Dorp.

Past occupations, Anne: Owner of The Academy of Cosmetology & Esthetics NYC - Paul Mitchell School, Frank: Hair Colorist.

Community involvement, Anne: Proud ongoing supporter of Staten Island school events and fundraisers, non-profit organizations, churches and programs within Staten Island, Frank: Rotary International, Boy Scouts of America, and Porsche Club of America.

Some of my life goals include, Anne: Establishing community programs for mentoring young people to become successful adults, focusing on relational skills and responsibility, financial management, personal goal setting, and early intervention for career direction, Frank: Building A.F. Bennett into the fabric of Staten Island for the next twenty years.

The best part of my job, Anne: Getting to work within my giftings as an entrepreneur, the ability to express creatively and to bring joy and love to each person I am blessed to work on and work with, Frank: Working with my team of young professionals to bring forth the A.F. Bennett experience to our guests.

The most difficult part of my job, Anne: Riding the waves during uncertain economic times, but it's easier because of God in my life and the amazing team I am blessed to work with, Frank: Getting everyone synchronized to one collective vision.

My life philosophy, Anne: Be grateful for each breath and the gift of life, dance into each new day steeped in my faith, brush things off that shouldn't stick, and always know who I am, Frank: Do the best you can, and let God take care of the rest.

I am most proud of, Anne: Our son Frankie. He is an outstanding young gentleman who stands on his own feet, knows who he is with unshakeable faith that leads him. I couldn't desire more from a son, Frank: My son and that we built a legacy brand.

Something that no one knows about me, Anne: I tend to be open and share my ups and downs with the people closest to me, Frank: I race Porsches.

The quality that I like best about myself, Anne: My personal style. Since I was a child, I've had a unique style of my own. I rarely follow trends and find great joy in expressing my personality that way, Frank: I am incredibly Frank.

Personal interests and hobbies, Anne: Shopping, cooking, dining at fine restaurants, traveling, shooting at the range, Frank: Cooking, racing, and writing.

I am really good at, Anne: Helping others discover their gifts and potential, to overcome fear and know how special they are, Frank: Communicating a vision and idea.

I admire, Anne: Anyone who exudes joy amidst difficult moments, a person whose faith leaves no room for fear, who presses into their faith with abandoned trust, Frank: Jesus Christ.

Some things I would like you to know about us, Anne: I am a person who believes in the future of our children, our communities, our nation, and the world and that the best years are the ones to come, Frank: I am very compassionate, disciplined, and have a lot of drive.

This story is one of the 2026 Louis R. Miller Business Leadership Award recipient highlights. To view all recipients, purchase tickets, sponsor the event, or purchase a journal ad, visit www.sichamber.com/lm2026