We were lucky to catch up with Manny Rivera recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Manny thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

Be willing to fail. Kobe Bryant once said, “If you’re afraid to fail, then you’re probably going to fail.” For me, setting big goals so big it’s a good bet you may experience failure at least once; Never losses, only lessons. Big goals should be long term, you grow in the achievements you’re fortunate enough to achieve over time. Over time! Here’s the thing, small easy attainable goals might seem to “work” but your goals should stretch you, not be easy. If it’s easy, you’re cutting corners. And lastly, have a purpose, without it your sense of direction is skewed.

Manny, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, will you take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Manny Rivera and I’m the barber/owner of Manny’s Official Barbershop (Adrian, Mi). I am 41 and also from Adrian, Michigan. Married to my beautiful wife Crystal and together we have two girls while I have three older girls to complete our family, making that five daughters total. My oldest is 21 (Breyanna), a 17 year old (Shayla), a 15 year old (Aaliyah), a 12 year old (Anaya), and a 7 year old (Jaritza). God I’m proud of those girls. #girldad

I attended and graduated from Douglas J Aveda in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 2009 and began my career in 2010 when I opened my first shop (Mirage Barbershop) along with a business partner at the time. During the COVID pandemic in April of 2020 after 11 years in business I was forced to close the shop for good due to many unforeseen circumstances. Later that year in August of 2020 I decided (along with my family) to make my return to the industry and opened Manny’s Official Barbershop. I specialize in men’s and kids’ haircuts of any texture and style, as well as beard cleanups and shaves. It was a longtime coming but I felt like this was where God wanted me to be in this season of my life, and because of that, three years in business is fast approaching.

Besides being in the shop Monday thru Friday, I volunteer for a local business (Ivy Rehab for kids) every few months where I provide sensory haircuts to an amazing group of young kids with sensory needs. It is truly rewarding to work with them and see their smiles after an accomplished haircut.

Most recently I have also the become the personal barber to many of the Michigan Wolverines football players and as a Michigan fan myself, this has been the highlight of my year. But let me tell you, that’s all God at work, seriously! I told my wife just days before 2023 that I truly felt that God was going to do some amazing things in this next season of my life. I literally said to her, “I will be cutting Michigan football players hair and I will be in their facility.” I didn’t know how or when, I just knew that God placed it on my heart and that he was about to move. The best is yet to come, so God gets all the glory for that.

Lastly, I think what sets me apart from others in my industry is my attention to detail; I’m OCD when it comes to my services. I believe success starts with consistency; that’s where your growth is formed. I’m 100% genuine and loyal; I work hard at my craft, I don’t take shortcuts, and I don’t take this gift for granted. I daily take every opportunity to positively impact my clients. I have the ability in those moments to shift the way they feel about themselves, their day, or their situation before they leave my chair.

How has this industry allowed you to be creative in your experience?

A couple of things come to mind, one is that it allows me to combine my love for art and barbering. Every haircut is an art piece, it’s like picking up a pencil or paint brush to an artist. I use clippers and shears and razors to make my art piece a master piece. I shade with my fades, and sculpt with my shears, and define my lines with razors and use products to add the finishing touches that bring it all together. That’s why I love what I do. It truly is art to me. My all time favorite Art teacher (Linda Hooker) taught me as a student to see art in everything and anything and that’s what I do when I’m cutting hair.

Lastly, it has allowed me many opportunities to pour into young people and adults. Sometimes it’s more than a haircut, it’s an opportunity for me to speak positivity into someone, give unbiased advice, praying for someone, encourage someone, and sometimes I just listen. My goal is that anyone I have an encounter with leaves better than when they came in, not just leave with the best haircut of their life. Cutting hair is my passion, speaking life and encouraging people is my gift from God. That’s the reward for me.

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

I think a few things have helped me build the reputation I have. I would say first off consistency, not just in my haircuts but also with my time management, communication, and the services I provide. I’m not just a one dimensional barber, I can cut any ethnicity hair and any style of cut and do so confidently. I take pride in my craft and it shows in my haircuts, I have my own style and way of doing so that is unique to me. I always say, “Often imitated, never duplicated”. I also think the way I treat my customer’s has always played a factor in my reputation. I’m genuine and truly love working with the adults and kids who walk through my door and I’m professional in how I carry myself and run the business.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/mannysofficialbarbershop
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MannysOfficialBarbershop
• Other: mob1.booksy.com

Image Credits
Anthony Moore