Conversation by: Kylie Cooper Photos by: Lillian Reitz
-How did you get into cutting hair? Growing up, was it always important to you to have a fresh cut?
I actually started cutting my own hair when I was around 15 years old. I wanted a haircut once
a week, and my parents thought that was a bit excessive and wouldn’t allow it.
-When did you first decide to open up a barber shop here in Corpus Christi?
Straight out of barber college, I got my first job at a local barbershop. About a year later, I had the opportunity to buy it from the owner – it was a no-brainer for me. Once I took ownership, I remodeled the shop and changed the name to Flawless.
-What about you or your particular style of cutting hair do you think makes people gravitate toward Flawless?
To be honest, I don’t think it has anything to do with my haircutting skills; I believe it’s my customer service and personality that keeps them coming back.
-What type of vibe would you say you try to maintain at the shop?
-What type of vibe would you say you try to maintain at the shop?
We are a family-oriented barbershop, so we keep a real laid-back, traditional style barbershop – just with a modern twist.
-What is one of the wildest days you have had at the shop?
I’d say it has to be Christmas week of 2008. I was in the shop cutting from 7am-12am for 3 days straight. Those were some long days, but I wanted to make sure I was able to take care of all my clients.
-You have a nickname of “Da People’s Barber” How did you obtain that and what exactly does it mean?
Yeah, man! It was given to me by “da people.” One day, one of my clients asked me if I would ever cut celebrities’ hair and I was like, “No sir, just you guys, the people.” He was like, “Oh, you’re like Da People’s Barber,” and it’s stuck ever since.
-You’re the founder and owner of The Texas Barber Expo, the largest barber event in the state of Texas. How did you decide to do that, and what was the experience like?
It started seven years ago. I was traveling the world, judging barber battles and teaching seminars, and would come home wondering why Texas didn’t have anything like these events. Then, after long thoughts and prayers, [I] decided I would bring it to Texas. So, I did just that.
-You’ve now created your own line of hair products. What inspired that?
We do have a pomade and beard oil. The inspiration came from my sons. When they were born, I wanted to be able to style their hair, but I also wanted to make sure the products I was using for them weren’t filled with alcohol or other toxic chemicals. So I started working with a chemist, and we created a water-based product that is safe for all ages. Oh, and it has a great scent!
-I hear you’re also are a published author now; your book Flawless: Faith, Family, & Finances came out recently. What inspired you to write that, and how did it feel?
I am! I’ve always wanted my story to be told. So this year, I made it a goal of mine to make it a
reality.
Contact
1101 Airline Rd. || (361) 992-6600 || flawlessbarbershopcc.com || @flawlessbscc || youtube.com/dapeoplesbarber