Monday, April 30, 2012

Branding

    So today mail came and I was like a little kid becuase my stuff from Suaveciito got here in time for the Fresno Tattoo Expo and the package I have been waiting so long for also came-the Frankie The Barber stickers came as well (good job Sticker Guy). I was so excited about my stickers and it really got me to thinking about branding and shops the developed there own brand with the help of products.

    When you are a business of any kind branding is not always the easiest thing to do and when you are a barber sometimes it is a little more difficult because most cities have so many barbershops. In the neighborhood where I work there are over 6 shops in a 5 mile radius. I think that shops (anzcod salons) who go out of there way to develop there own product lines to sell on there shelves are smart! I am not just talking about things like t-shirts, combs or in my case stickers.

    Let's start with the barbershop that has really changed the face of the barbershop in America espcially when it comes to branding himself and that is Don Hawley and Layrite. When you mention Hawleywood's you automatically know who you are talking about. The truth is Layrite as a product has even effected how others make there pomade.

   When you get into West Hollywood,Ca. Shorty's Barbershop has developed an entire line of products that are not only available on-line but in there shop on Fairfax Ave. They have everything from styling products, shampoos..etc.

    My boy Luis Orozco at Covenant Barbershop in Fresno,Ca, has bottled his own brand of bay rum skin elixar.

    Last week I spoke to John Major the owner of Johnny D's Barbershop in San Jose,Ca and after almost 2 years in business they are working on there very own pomade.

    Do not forget Joe's Barbershop who have gone the extra step..They may not have a pomade or a shampoo they have made available custom clippers and some really awesome events like "Hangover Shave Sundays" and the "Sunday Nite 8-ball Tournaments".

    These are just a few examples or what some shops are doing to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. Finding that one thing that not only causes your shop to stand out but  finding that one thing that one thing that helps you as an individual professional to stand out in an industry that already has so many people coming out of barber school or even cosmetology school.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Barbers And The Hot Rod Culture

   Alright VLV 15 is over and again it is another year that I did not get to go but that is not what this is about.This is really about how barbers are becoming as much a part of the hod culture as the tattoo artist. So today I spent some time e-mailing some barbers to get there feedback on this topic.

   I know for myself some of my favorite times are when I am cutting hair at car shows, selling pomades at shows or tattoo shows. When you go to major car show events you will find pomade being sold, barbershops with booths set up cutting hair (always busy).

Luis at Covenant Barbershop
   I know that I had the pleasure to interview Don Hawley quite a few years ago when I was publishing The Undergournd Magazine (before Hawleywoods was a proverbial household name). The last couple of years barbershops around the country have been getting covered by not only tattoo magazines but car magazine.

   Tattooing and barbershop hold the same kind of history and Luis Orozco of Covenant Barbershop in Fresno,Ca. believes that it is "with the rise of more traditional style barbershop". Joe Caccavella from Joe's Barbershop in Chicago says "The entire basis of the Kustom Kulture or “Rock-a-billy” scene is tradition. From the clothes to cars to the hair styles".
Joe Caccavella at Joe's Barbershop

Frankie The Barber
    Working in the barbershop and being a fan of the "rock-a-billy" I know that I do not trust Supercuts or the salon inside the local Wal-Mart with my cut. Joe adds " So with the growing popularity of the whole kustom culture lifestyle it makes perfect sense that traditional barbers are showing up more and more that specialize in vintage/period correct cuts and styles".

    Well I think the point has been made....it is all about tradition. I know that for me as a barber I work really hard and take pride in my craft and I am proud of the history and tradition that comes along with it!




Wednesday, April 4, 2012

What do the cool kids use!!

So this weekend me and the family went and saw the band The Great Commission. Earlier while killing some time in town we went by Barnes and Noble and who did I find in the comic book section of the store...Justin Singh from The Great Commission.

During our visit we actually got on the subject of hair, products and the kind of comb he uses. Justin went from getting his hair done at a salon (he had a faux hawk and a rats tail) to getting his hair cut at a proper barber shop in Fontana,CA called Stay Gold Barbershop. Justin no longer rocks the faux hawk but has cropped tight on the sides with a side part.

When asked what he is using product he let's me know he uses Suavecito and proudly makes sure I know he uses Tres Flores (which is not as easily found in the Inland Empire as it is around the Central Valley). He also has a comb that he uses especially for combing the front of his hair. It is a comb by Conair. He showed me this comb and I will tell you it has definitely seen its miles on the road!

Frankie the Barber w/ Justin Singh The Great Commission
One thing I learned is that you will find Justin preparing for a show (doing his hair and cleaning up) in bathrooms at Barnes and Noble so look for him in the comic book section looking for Marvel books he may not have and tell him I said "HI!"