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

Ruben , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

The idea came to mind when I got a not so great haircut. I paid, tipped and left, but when I got home I couldn’t stop complaining about the horrible cut I got. My girlfriend at the time, wife now said sarcastically “well if you think you can do a better job why don’t you just do it yourself”!! So I was like I should be a barber! She agreed completely, said my personality was perfect for barbering. Went to a couple barber schools found one that was fitting, and never turned back.

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

I started off cutting hair, because I wanted to one day be a part of changing how a lot of us AZ barbers are viewed by many clients, especially from out of state. I hear every day how Arizona barbers are not consistent or lacking skill. I by all means am not the best barber in this beautiful state, but I am confident, consistent, and that’s not just in my work but also in my personalty and the vibe I bring into my studio. Never will a client see me and get an amazing cut, and conversation then the next visit my work is just mediocre and I seem upset. I’m the same in every way and in every visit. I truly think that my consistency is what makes me the barber that I am and sets me apart from many other barbers.

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

The most effective strategy that has been major key in my business is kindness and consistency. My clientele is very diverse in every way possible. From men, women, children. Some clients with special needs. Members of the LGBTQIA’s community. All types of hair types, and ethnicity and races, and genuinely make each and every person very comfortable. So yes kindness to all is the biggest part of getting and building my clientele. I guess it more of just the way I live my life then Strategy.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Before I became a barber I was working in a factory that made parabolic mirrors for solar plants. I started off as a temp worker, then on the assembly line. Worked there for a bit then got promoted to quality control. That gave me the opportunity to drive to and from gila bend multiple times a week. Paid very well, but it was getting to the point where I hated Mondays, I hated going to work and I was miserable. It became “just a job that pays bills”. Slowly falling into depression and no motivation for pretty much anything. Then I finally had enough, I would tell myself “you are not stuck, no one is holding you hostage with a gun to your head” And that’s when I got the horrible cut that gave me the idea to be a barber. I feel that we are never stuck, I think we mistaken stuck with fear. And once we figure that part out it’s easy i make a move no matter what that move is. I will never feel “stuck” or “forced” to be someone I’m not happy. Happiness is key and if we manifest what we want and face our fears we all can do great things.

Contact Info:

• Website: Thestachehousebarbershop.com
• Instagram: @thestachehouse2018
• Facebook: The Stache house barber shop
• Other: Phone number is (602)819-8416 I am by appointment only so please text or call to book your slot.

Image Credits
Vanity by Mandy