Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Fern Esturilho. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Fern , appreciate you joining us today. Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?
Take a chance on yourself.
I always had a love for barbering, ever since I was little. I remember being 5 years old and laying on the floor with my dad in the TV room watching Sunday morning cartoons, Id go grab a brush and comb, wet his hair and give him different looks. He was delighted by that, who doesn’t love having their hair played with?
Growing up I went in different directions and wasn’t sure just exactly what I wanted to do. I had lost that love for hair I once had and wasn’t even considering it as a profession.
One day I went to get a haircut and got the worst haircut I had ever received in my life. It was traumatizing, it drove my self-esteem to the floor, I was so upset. That day I told myself no one would ever cut my hair again. If anyone was going to mess it up, it would be me! From that day forward I started cutting my own hair and as it turns out I was really good at it. So much people started asking me who was cutting my hair and asking me to cut theirs. The inspiration was back and strong!
I dove in, decided to leave my regular 9 to 5 miserable office job and go to barber school. I was enchanted. I loved the freedom, the tradition, the artistry. I was so hungry to learn! And I did. I was lucky to learn from many talented barbers who were generous and kind enough to share their knowledge and time with me for nothing in return. The sense of community and support felt warm and secure. I was so excited to start. Both excited and terrified.
Two months prior my graduation I saw that my dream barbershop was hiring barbers. My heart dropped. I remember driving by that shop all the time and daydreaming about working there, but what a far fetched dream it seemed to be. I was so far from ready. Something ignited in me, however, I decided to apply.
I already had a small portfolio, I was building from beginning, so I had something to show. They called back and wanted to meet me. I couldn’t believe it.
The next morning I put on my best clothes, got my portfolio, my business cards and I was out the door. Supremely excited and also terrified! I finally pull in to the parking lot and I’m ecstatic. Except all of a sudden I started doubting myself. “What are you doing”? I thought to myself. “You have no experience, you’re nobody, they’re going to laugh at you”. “You’re not even done with barber school, drive home”. “Don’t embarrass yourself. I was starting to cave in to those self doubts and negativity, I started the car back on to leave. I sat there in silence for a moment and I said NO. Everything in life has a 50/50 chance of a negative or positive outcome, so why am I only entertaining the negative?? I realized my FEAR of things going right was trying to make me coward in the face of the possibility of success. I told myself “Get in there, puff your chest out and introduce yourself at least”. “Give yourself a chance”
I went in proud and tall, spoke confidently, presented myself at my best, did all I could and felt good about it. 3 hours later they called me and asked when I wanted to start.
Today I have the same clientele of 8 years that started at that shop. It is now closed, but there isn’t a moment I drive by that lot now that I don’t feel both humbled and honored to have had the chance to work there and to have had taken a chance on myself. Fear will give you the warmth of comfort but it’s only at the edge of a precipice that you will make the important choices. I’m glad I jumped.
Fern , 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?
I am native Brazilian. I’ve been in the states for 20 years now. I’m a go getter who learns quick. I became fluent in English in less than a year. I speak Portuguese, Spanish and English. I understand communication is a vital part of my career and I will always strive to make sure we do it right even if it’s in a foreign language.
I always loved the visual artistry and tradition in barbering specifically. The way the use of the straight razor has been passed on and taught throughout the years is truly an art to me. It takes time to hone in those skills – no pun intended. I have much respect for senior barbers because they have learned the craft at a time this skill was kept in the family, not much schooling was offered. They learned on their own, I have such admiration for that.
I am LGBTQ+ friendly being part of the family myself. I accept and invite people from all walks of life. I consider myself warm and friendly, my goal is to make the client sitting in my chair feel comfortable from the beginning. That is my strongest quality as a barber. My clear communication with my clients. I understand it can be an intimidating experience for some people, so I strive to reach 100 percent clarification on asking what their desired results are. My goal is to always have a happy client. If I am not proud of the work I did, you aren’t leaving my chair. Every client is a walking billboard, any barber that doesn’t take pride in their work and understands the power of marketing a good haircut will bring you, is not looking at it from its prime viewpoint. I take pride in every haircut I give. I ask myself “would I be happy with this haircut”
I offer haircuts, old school hot towel shaves, beard grooming, beard dying and gray coverage hair color.
What sets me apart from others is how much I care. How proud I am of my work and the years I’ve put into this craft. I am highly skilled in my job and can recreate any haircut a client brings me while also being able to offer a style that is specially dedicated to them, their face shape, hair type or life style. I will always be honest with my clients if I think a certain haircut they want, won’t work for them in my professional opinion. People always appreciate the honesty. What you will find when you sit in my chair is not just a barber but a skilled professional who is passionate, caring, communicative and proud of their craft.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
The best source of new clients for me has always been and will always be word of mouth. A good haircut or experience will always speak for itself. People like to talk about a service or experience they found pleasant to them. In a world where social media dominates, I still find the physical visuals of a haircut still attracts clients the old fashion way. It has worked for me for the past 8 years and it’s still the highest form of flattery and confirmation I am doing my very best to each client!
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
While I was in barber school, I had to work full time still to make ends meet. I got a job at one of those corporate barbershops. I despised it. My hours were rough. I would leave the house at 8 am and sometimes come home at 11PM. My days were long, I was always exhausted. I didn’t have much of a life. I told my friends and family that I was going to be very absent the coming year and a half. My personal relationship suffered. My relationship with myself suffered. Many times I wanted to quit it all. Many times I came close to it. I didn’t. I just told myself to do one day at a time. When I remember those days now, I talk to my past self and thank her for not giving up when it was hard. It was all worth it. I am where I am now because of her and her resilience. I am eternally grateful for that.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.ferntasticbarber.com
- Instagram: Ferntasticbarber