Phil Morgese had to teach himself to fix his daughter's hair after he was granted full-custody of her when she was only one year old. The single father admits that he didn't have a clue what to do with Emma's hair. So, the 34-year-old Daytona Beach, Florida dad did the best he could.
Emma had a head full of hair that kept getting in her eyes, so Morgese knew he had to learn fast do something with it. He said he learned to keep hair clips on hand, and he learned about hair gel. He was able to do French braids and ponytails. Morgese began to style Emma's hair so well that he decided to teach his skills to other single fathers.
Daddy Daughter Hair Factory
Morgese started the Daddy Daughter Hair Factory in October 2015. He shared what he had learned the hard way in a free bi-weekly class at the International Academy in South Daytona. Dads and daughters of all ages attend the class where Morgese shares everything he knows including detangling long locks and styling girls' hair. The single fathers also use the time to bond with their daughters.
Instant hit
The Hair class became an instant hit. Since Morgese started the class, hundreds of single fathers have learned from him. Even some married men have attended the class and learned so much. Fathers who live in 13 different states have taken advantage of the teachings and have started their own daddy and daughter hair factories.
Other dads and daughters
Greg Wickherst, 40, recently started his own class in Pueblo, Colorado to give back to the community after learning how to style the hair of his 4-year-old daughter, Izzy. Josh Wikel, a married nurse from Greenwood, Indiana has learned braiding techniques from Morgese’s tips on Facebook. He can now braid the hair of his 4-year-old daughter, Ella Rose.
Wikel also leads his own class.
What Emma Morgese thinks
Emma Morgese is now 11-years-old with straight brown hair. Her dad enjoys styling it into an elaborate French twist. Emma loves the way her dad fixes her hair in ways she likes. The young girl also acts as a model at the Hair Factory classes as her dad shows other fathers how it should be done. By the way, Morgese also home schools Emma. What a cool dad.