We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Salvador Castro a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Salvador, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

The mission behind Goodfellas really comes from how I grew up being at the barbershop. It was never just about a haircut — it was about the conversations, the laughter,the people and the way you always left feeling better than when you walked in. I wanted to bring that same experience into my own shop.

For me, it’s about more than clippers and fades. It’s about giving people confidence, creating a space where they feel welcome, and building real connections. At Goodfellas, each haircut has its own story and every person who sits in the chair is treated like family. That’s the story behind our mission — to keep the tradition of the barbershop alive while making sure everyone who walks through the door feels sharp, respected, and at home. Any age, sex, color and religion.

I’ve always believed in pushing past expectations in everything I do, and that same drive is what fuels the vision of Goodfellas. This barbershop isn’t about meeting standards — it’s about setting new ones. Our story is still being written, and with every client and every cut, it continues to grow.
We’re shaping the world one cut at a time.
So stay tuned….

Salvador, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Salvador Castro, and I’m one of the owners and founder of Goodfellas Barbershop. Cutting hair has always been more than a job for me — it’s been a passion and a way to connect with people on a real level. From the moment I first stepped into a barbershop I felt the connection with everything that was happening, the way the barbers interacted with each other and with their clients, the conversation flowing through the room the sound of those clippers the smell of the aftershave and the clean cuts, I realized early on that a barbershop isn’t just a place for a haircut — it’s where people come to feel confident, to talk, to unwind, and to leave feeling better than when they walked in.
It wasn’t until I got to my 30’s that I decided to attend barber school to learn more about the industry I had dream about. My love for the craft grew even more. I realized how much history and culture it’s behind it. The way I applied myself into the barber program was unlike anything I’ve ever done. After completing the course and passing my state board test I was ready for the next step; finding a shop to go work at but with not much experience and not knowing many people I knew this was going to be hard and take lots longer than expected.
I got the opportunity to work at a well know shop here in north west Indiana with great people and great customers. I worked there about a year and a half, my time there was a little difficult not only because I was a new barber but I had a lot of things going on outside with my personal life . Since this was a busy shop I learned to move fast and to stay on my feet for longer hrs when I left that shop I went into this new shop in Hammond Indiana where the vibe was different from the first one it was a crowd of young talented people working to make a name for themselves. A little intimidating I say because I was still learning but with this opportunity and the amount of talent around me I was able to take advantage of it and learn as much as possible. Didn’t go that way , most of the barbers there had their own ways of doing things there wasn’t much structure and things still didn’t felt right. I did lean a lot of things there about the business and the way we served our community. I was always taking notes and writing things down while building connections with coworkers and customers. Knowing that, I had a clear vision on what the ideal barber shop would look like me and some of the other barbers decided to make a move to another barbershops to partner up and strengthen a local shop in highland Indiana which needed some help, we continue expanding our business network and connecting with more people as we always have but our time there didn’t lasted long. I had already something in the works prepared in case something happened so me and two of my close associates decided to make the move and open up shop. We felt that the time we put into other businesses had sharpen not only our skills but also the way we view this industry.
On September 1st of 2023 we had our grand opening and there we realized the amounts of support from our families, friends and all the people we’ve been serving through our years of barbering.
At Goodfellas, we provide classic and modern cuts, beard grooming, and the kind of sharp detail work that keeps clients looking their best. But beyond the services, we focus on creating an atmosphere that feels like family — a space where everyone feels welcome, respected, and taken care of.

The problem we solve goes deeper than hair. People walk in needing a change, whether it’s a fresh look for an interview, a confidence boost before a big event, or simply time to recharge. We deliver not just a clean cut, but an experience that sends them back into the world feeling sharp and confident.

What sets Goodfellas apart is the culture we’ve built. I’ve always pushed myself to go beyond expectations, and that’s woven into everything we do. From the way we greet our clients to the precision in every cut, we hold ourselves to a standard that’s higher than just a “barbershop visit.”

I’m most proud of the trust and loyalty we’ve earned from our clients and community. Seeing people come back again and again, bringing their kids, their friends, their family — that’s proof that Goodfellas is more than just a shop.

For anyone new to us, I want them to know that Goodfellas isn’t about just cutting hair. It’s about creating confidence, building relationships, and giving every person who sits in our chair the best version of themselves. That’s the story we’re building, and it’s only just getting started.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I believe what really built my reputation was consistency and genuine care. From day one, I made it a priority to go beyond just giving a haircut — I focused on building real relationships with every client who sat in my chair. Word of mouth has been huge for me because clients leave with an experience they want to share with others.

I also built my reputation by holding myself to a higher standard. Whether it’s being on time, paying attention to every detail, or making sure the shop feels welcoming to everyone who walks in, those little things add up. At the end of the day, people trust you because they know what to expect every time they come in — quality, consistency, and a place where they feel at home.

Any advice for managing a team?

Managing a team and keeping morale high starts with respect and communication. I believe in treating every team member as an individual — understanding their strengths, challenges, and what motivates them. I make it a point to celebrate wins, provide constructive feedback, and ensure everyone feels valued for the work they do.

Creating a positive environment in the shop also means leading by example. I show the same energy, professionalism, and dedication I expect from my team. When people see that their leader is invested in their success and in creating a welcoming space, it naturally boosts morale.

Lastly, I encourage collaboration and input. Giving the team a voice in how we operate makes them feel ownership over the shop’s success, and that sense of ownership keeps everyone engaged and motivated.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.goodfellas219.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_neighborhood_barber_?igsh=MThvcGExY3YxbjUwZw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17JqVj2Ash/?mibextid=wwXIfr