We recently connected with Lou Bravo and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Lou thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Folks often look at a successful business and imagine it was an overnight success, but from what we’ve seen this is often far from the truth. We’d love to hear your scaling up story – walk us through how you grew over time – what were some of the big things you had to do to grow and what was that scaling up journey like?
Embracing each experience as a step towards growth, acknowledging that challenges are inevitable, and understanding that perfection is unattainable. Developing the resilience to tackle each new task with increased composure and perspective. Confronting the discomfort of being wrong, accepting it, and learning from it to move forward with greater freedom and contentment. Overcoming personal obstacles, especially the self-imposed ones, and striving for excellence in both barbering skills and customer service to maintain a superior standard in our profession.
Not really sure where to even begin with details, but I’m currently 38 years old. I’ve been cutting hair for almost my whole life as I found this craft at age 13 and I haven’t stopped since. I didn’t know then that it would be my lifelong profession but I always had a passion for the artistry of barbering. I always ( and still today ) want to get better. I’m thankful for my parents because not only today moved to this country for better opportunity but they taught me to be ambitious, disciplined and meticulous. After graduating high school, I chose cosmetology. I’ve been a licensed cosmetologist in Pennsylvania since 19 years old. I then worked at a few shops before establishing my own at age 25. By then, I had been through some hard business lessons.
I was sued at age 20 by a previous employer for not complying with a noncompete contract, which at the time of signing I was unaware of what I was exactly signing. The owner approached me on one of my first busy days after a couple months of working there, said he needed me to sign what he claimed to be conduct document. Pretty much stating that he wanted professional behavior, a proper dress code, and clean language spoken in shop. Being so eager to get back to work, I simply signed the document and did not look at the rest of the contract. After going to court the judge order me to work at least 6 miles from his location effective immediately. The shop that I had gone to was only 3.25 miles away from his. Not to mention he took me back to court for “Pain and suffering. “. The judge then ordered me to pay him $1500. The owner of that Barbershop was at the time 42 years old and again I was 20. Not only could I never do that to someone without being completely transparent, but I now realize how young 20 years old really is at my age now. But I must say that ignited a fire in me that has yet to simmer.
Although I never signed any form of contract after that experience, I still treated my next workplace with respect & practiced management as if it was my own.
My first shop officially opened in May 2010. I do remember being proud of myself but I also felt so much fear/ uncertainty because I truly didn’t know how things would turn out. The shop at that particular location lasted seven years and a brand was started. Over the course of those years, there were several barbers that came and joined me some stayed a little while, and others stayed for many years. But I must admit I did not have the business mind then that I have today. I always thought as long as I make enough money to pay the bills things would be OK. And things were OK for the first 3/4 years of the shops operation but then in my personal life I had lost my father. A couple years later in a previous relationship, we lost a baby at seven months pregnant. Those became serious traumas in my life. At the time I did not know how to deal with these grievances. I slowly, but surely started living a very fast lifestyle. Suppressing my emotions, my mental & physical state by coping with alcohol and opiates. I was able to disguise my pain for some years after that, and at age 31 I finally surrendered my will and decided to close the shop and go to rehab to better my self. An extremely hard decision but it had to be done. Embarrassment and shame hit me like nothing I’ve ever felt. The very first person that I opened up to was my girlfriend ( now my beautiful wife & mother of 3 kids ). She said to me the night I opened up “so what are you going to do about it? “. My response to her that I was going to close the shop, go to rehab, correct my wrongs and come back with a heavy determination to get back what I lost/ threw away. My actions would speak louder than my words. And this time I would do it with the right state of mind! I spent two months in a Florida rehab and it wasn’t until day 42 of 58 that I truly got the help that I needed. Even though I was physically sober after seven days of being there. There was so much therapy needed for my mental and emotional states. But once my family came to visit me, and all of my shames and sins were called out in front of an entire facility, that’s when things got very real, and I remember breaking down, screaming, crying, yelling all the things that I hated about myself and what I had done to others. I went on for what they told me was about five minutes. As I looked around the room, everyone was in tears. I didn’t really know what I had done but it was a bittersweet moment because I felt so much embarrassment YET I felt so free. Those knots in my belly were gone, a huge weight was lifted and I then was able to forgive myself. I cannot say that I live a sober life today because I do have a celebratory drink with friends and family in the right setting. I can say that I’ve reached out to many people to apologize, ask for forgiveness and hope we can move forward with a clean slate.
Although I’m not in AA, I do live by the structure of the 12 steps. Holding myself accountable, taking self inventory, asking for forgiveness and forgiving others.
After coming home from rehab in May 2017 , I had to start over with my career. Besides a couple handfuls of loyal friends/clients, I had to rebuild my reputation and my brand. I worked from home for four years while slowly paying off $40,000 of debt. Saving up roughly $80,000 to start my new shop. While also saving roughly $30,000 to put down on our new family home. Those two moves came about five months apart from May 2021 when we bought our home then in October 2021 when I officially opened it up my new shop. While working from home those four years we started our family which gave me even more spirit and determination to build something strong allowing me to provide for them. Exercise became a normal routine for me, giving me mental clarity after each work out. Another hobby picked up was reading books and listening to audiobooks to educate myself on small business management / operations, leadership, motivation and financial literacy. I understand today that you get out of something what you put into it. I do my best to remain humble and grateful for every day of life that I get. Along with the spirit I receive to continue working hard, trying my best to be a good person, a good leader. Not only at work but at home.
My new shop has now been operating for almost 3 years and although I started by myself, I’m proud to have a team of 4 phenomenal professionals that I’ve helped grow in this industry but in turn have also helped me continue on my path of growth. Co-elevation is a term I use a lot because I believe the right group of people can help each other grow by being selfless and selfish all at the same time.
It has been a big turnaround for me these past seven years but yet I feel like I’m just getting started. I’m grateful for it all but at the same time I feel “blissfully dissatisfied” [ Ed Mylett ].
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
What distinguishes my shop from others is our unwavering commitment to delivering top-notch haircut services and upholding exceptional customer service standards. The fusion of these two pillars has earned us over 200 glowing 5-star reviews, reflecting the satisfaction and loyalty of our valued customers.
I take immense pride in the confidence we instill in our clients with every visit. Our unwavering dedication to our craft and commitment to ongoing education are at the core of our values. Building trusting relationships with each client and serving as their trusted hair professionals is our utmost priority. Our shop provides a warm and welcoming environment for all, fostering a sense of family and camaraderie among both employees and clients. Additionally, we actively give back to our community through donations and sponsorships for various charitable events, creating a rewarding and impactful cycle that benefits everyone involved.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Being an overall professional. Someone who is reliable, punctual, respectful and most importantly, consistent with all of these characteristics. Along with being polite and courteous with everyone. “Please” and “thank you” still go a very long way to me.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
This part of owning a business might be one of the hardest. It takes constant effort. Because as you manage a team, you must learn how to interact and engage with each individual, most likely in different ways each time. Communicating to your team often is key. Letting them know you appreciate them for their efforts But also helping them navigate through any hardships they might be going through. Even if they did something wrong, I take accountability for everything and come up with a new approach and strategies to prevent future mishaps.
Remember to be open-minded and truly listen if they have concerns or suggestions. You never know what ideas they may have to make your way of operating even more proficient.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.LBCUTS.net
- Instagram: @Lbcuts.phl
- Facebook: LB Cuts
- Other: Instagram : @Loubravohair