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

Russ, appreciate you joining us today. Looking back, what’s an important lesson you learned at a prior job

I’ve had plenty of jobs before becoming a barber. From grocery stores, to gyms, to engineering firms. All these jobs taught me the importance of customer service.

Businesses are nothing without customers. So, keeping clients happy and providing a great experience is top priority in retaining business.

As a small business, my relationship with my clients is far more impactful than the service/product I can provide. Being kind and respectful will keep customers coming back.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name’s Russ Vicencio and I’m a barber in Kansas City. I got into hair when I was 13 years old, simply because I wanted my own hair cut more often. So I started cutting my hair and my family’s hair. Gave my friends haircuts through high school and gained even more clients through college. Eventually, I pursued it professionally and now it’s my full-time job.

I provide lots of fades, designs, and beard trims right now. With my business, I really focus on consistency. Consistency with my services, consistency with time. I want my clients to know exactly what they’re getting when they ask for my service.

I think what really sets me apart from others is that I allow myself and my clients to be transparent with our lives. Whatever is going on or weighing on my clients, I let them express themselves and I listen. I think providing a space for my clients to decompress is far more important than the services I can provide.

I’m just very proud of the overall business I’ve built. Barbering wasn’t my first choice as a career, but my life at the moment wasn’t fulfilling enough for me. I was naturally good a cutting hair, but had my doubts if barbering would be lucrative. I firmly believe God blessed us with gifts and talents for a purpose and if we pursue what we’re made to do, everything else will fall into place. And that’s how I became a barber.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Barbering was always my side hustle. Never did I think this was something I would be doing full time.

Through high school and college while working part time as well, I was cutting hair on the side. I graduated college with a Computer-Aided Drafting and Design degree and worked at an engineering firm for a couple years, but still cutting hair on the side. My side hustle ended up getting so busy, my parents built me a small shop in the back of their garage. And this was when I knew I wanted my side hustle to become my full time career. I enrolled into barber school and made it official. I’ve been doing my side hustle full time now for 5 years and absolutely love it.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best source for new clients will always be referrals in this industry. Haircuts are walking billboards; it’s a conversation starter. I’ve earned lots of clients from them telling their friends/family/coworkers about their experience with me. Someone hearing about my client’s positive experience, but also seeing the results/haircut is the best source of new clients for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: linktr.ee/theuncleruss

Image Credits
Bailey Pianalto Photography, Sarah Dean Photography, Epic: Photos + Films, Makayla May Photography, Espy’s Photography