Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Niko Suave. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Niko, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

I came up with the name out of being spontaneous, like I didn’t want to let barbering be the only description to my brand. I have so many other things I’m working on. So much more in the works, so much more on the way. So a more universal yet still unique name that’ll be appropriate for any and everything I wanna do.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Honestly, some time back I got incarcerated. While being there, we were allowed to use a one blade razor and they gave us combs to use. So I began to start cutting hair for the other inmates. After a while I thought to myself that if I could do this in here then I can do it on the outside. Then I did just that, some time after my release, I enrolled into barber school. I jumped right into it, I learned all that I could so that I would never be in the position to tell a client no, so I learned all available services. Facials, perms, locs, color whatever the request I can get it done. I’ve been cutting for about 2 1/2yrs now. My main thing when it comes down to my individuality and success in this industry is always staying true to myself, always doing my best, and always being open to learn. I take pride in providing exceptional, quality service and giving my clients the absolute best experience.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Well, there was a situation that happened at the school I was attending. Long story short my instructor & I began to not see eye to eye so she processed to withdraw me from school, mind you I only had 80hrs left until I graduated. So that left me hurt, lost and confused. I was really down about that, I really thought it was over, I wasted my time, my money and I didn’t know what I was going to do. But I didn’t stop, didn’t give up, didn’t waiver and I ended up finding a school to take my hours I’d already had, finished, graduated, took my state board and is now a licensed master barber stylist.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

It’s many ways to help, handing out cards, networking events, talking to people, and posting. Social media is a big one and what I’ve learned with that is to always post, someone is always watching. No one else is going to promote you like yourself. No likes or 100 likes, it don’t matter post. Me personally I like to hand out cards still, some people may think it’s old school or whatever because of the technology expansion but you’d be surprised how many people actually still ask for cards. And I like to engage with my people, vibe with them and just off that they show me love.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.styleseat.com/m/v/nikosuave
• Instagram: @Stylesbysuave // @Nikosuave
• Other: tiktok: @stylesbysuave

Image Credits
https://niko-the-barber.daynedylanphotography.com/set/fb1f3eb7-b2b7-4376-94c6-9e90e26a8b46