Freshman Selvin Lopez’s hands move with the precision of someone with decades of experience. In his home lie clippers and seats where community members come to get a delightful haircut. When you walk in from the side door, you’ll find him welcoming you as he sets up his barber tools, waiting to transform your hair.
Lopez remembers discovering his interest at the age of nine. “I got into the business from my uncle, and he taught me everything. Fades, lineups, trimming techniques-I really look up to him as a figure in my journey,” he said.
“The designs and lineups specifically were hard to master, but I use tools specifically for them. The type of designs depend on the trimmer. I [adjust] the sharpness and everything to make it look clean.” Lopez said.
Lopez’s specialty is making designs, which he gracefully carves into his customers’ hair. “If someone doesn’t know what kind of design and cut they want, I usually do what is best for their face shape or I tell them to bring a picture for me to cut,” he said.
One of the things Lopez loves about his job is getting to talk to customers, with conversations ranging from daily life to future plans. “I ask people how their day is going, and things they like to do. Always trying to talk to them and make them feel comfortable.”
Lopez didn’t start receiving clients until about eight months ago. “I would always have to practice cutting [hair] on my dad or my uncle, and I would mess up. One time, when I first started accepting clients, I messed up a design on [someone], and he didn’t like it, so I let him get the cut for free. After that, I learned to take my time in the chair, and to make sure I’m consistent.”
Since then, he has managed a variety of clients and developed his brand. “I use Booksy or people DM to manage appointments, and I handle everything. It works well for me. At night, I spend time going through my appointments and managing appointments.”
Lopez hopes to attend a barber college when he turns 16, and then open up a new shop. “When I open my shop, it would be fun to blast music. Hiring people and having multiple chairs and employees would be something I would like to do,” he said.
Lopez isn’t just a barber in his home–he’s international. “I went to Madrid once for a barber competition—they provided everything besides my own barber set. Bringing my barber set was fun. Even though I placed fifth, it was fun to travel to a different country. I really want to be a haircutter that travels and has my own business.”
The main way Lopez has achieved entrepreneurial success at a young age is because of his smart marketing decisions and word of mouth. “I started cutting a few of my friends’ [hair] in middle school, and they told their friends, and so on. It sort of grew by mouth, and I eventually created Booksy and media accounts. People eventually started giving me positive reviews on Booksy and social media. I post daily to gain clients, which helped me make loyal customers.”
Lopez’s advice for anyone interested in becoming a barber: “Never give up and stay consistent. I always think of my uncle when I’m barbering, he kept pushing me even when I didn’t want to do it.”
You can find his website here.
