Todd

Todd Cargo has been a recognizable name among the Birmingham hairdressing community for over twenty years.  Over those two decades he has built up a stellar reputation as one of Birmingham's foremost colorists.  In fact, Todd has trained many of the city's leading new stylists, all of whom sought him out specifically for his expertise in color and highlighting.  But Todd isn't just a master colorist, he also has a sterling reputation in town for his haircuts.  After so many years in this industry, its no wonder that Todd remains one of Birminghams most popular hairdressers.

With all of that said, one might think that his stature as a leading stylist would have gone to his head, but as anyone who has ever sat in his chair can attest to, Todd Cargo is as down to earth as one can get.  In fact, it was Todd's desire for a salon that could offer high-end hair care  without the high-end attitude that gave birth to Sanctuary.  "It had been my experience that too often salons equated an upscale environment with snobbery and pretension."  Todd reflects, "I never wanted my salon to be like that.  I like what I do and I am grateful when people pay me to do it for them.  I didn't want to spend my days pretending that I thought they were lucky to be in my presence.  I have never understood that mentailty.  I am one of the best at what I do.  I don't think that is arrogant to say because it is true.  But just because it is true does not mean that i am not lucky or grateful that people choose me for their haircare.  They could just as easily choose someone else.  Therefore when a person comes to my salon I want them to know that I appreciate it."

Todd's hairdressing career began right after his high school graduation.  "I got on the bus for California the next day after high school ended,"  Todd explains.  "I wanted to be a hairdresser and I wanted to learn hair the West Coast way.  I have always believed that southern hair and California hair share many similar characteristics, so I went to the coast to learn."  After finishing Cosmetology school in San Diego, Todd took an apprenticeship position at a nationally known southern California salon.  Once Todd believed he had absobed enough information to come home and start his own career he returned to Birmingham and took another apprentice position, this time locally, with Birmingham legend Eric Egea, who taught him everything he needed to know about building a celebrity-stylist career right here in Birmingham, Alabama.  After about 15 years working in local salons, Todd decided to open Sanctuary with the hope of giving clients a glamourous high-end experience while still maintaining southern hospitality and warmth.  Todd also hoped to give back to the hairdressing community by teaching up and coming young stylists the craft as generously as Todd was taught by his mentors.

Todd has also been writing The Style Guy column which appears monthly in Birmingham Magazine for the last five years.  During that time Todd has become Birmingham's go-to guy for questions about hair.  The Style Guy column can be found in the print version of Birmingham Magazine as well as their online edition at www.birminghammagazine.com. 

 

 Finally after twenty plus years building his professional life, Todd has just recently started building his family life.  He, along with partner of 13 years, Micah Cargo, are expecting the birth of their son in April 2010.