Are you a barber feeling stuck in the employee grind? Discover how to transition from an hourly role to building your own profitable salon brand.

📺 ABOUT THIS VIDEO

In this episode, we sit down with a talented professional barber currently working at Supercuts to discuss the real struggles of the barbering industry. We break down the 'comfort vs. growth' mindset and analyze why many feel stuck in commission-based roles instead of building their own business. Whether you are a fresh cosmetology school graduate or looking to scale your existing barber career, this conversation offers deep insights into client retention, the importance of social media content for barbers, and how to effectively command higher prices. We discuss moving past the 'jack-of-all-trades' mentality to become a specialist, the power of setting professional boundaries, and why your positioning—not just your skill—dictates your income. Learn how to transform your haircutting business by shifting your mindset, mastering your niche, and leveraging platforms like Booksie to create a sustainable, high-demand brand. This is a must-watch guide for anyone looking to stop being an employee and start acting like a true entrepreneur in the professional hair industry.

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Specialization strategy: Why focusing on one or two niches like hair color or beard grooming leads to more profit than being a generalist.

• Content creation basics: How to use satisfying ASMR-style transformation videos to attract high-paying clients, even in small towns.

• The 'Supercuts' transition: Leveraging corporate training for speed while planning your exit to self-employment.

• Overcoming the 'people-pleaser' trap: How setting firm boundaries with friends, family, and clients helps you scale your barbershop business.

• Pricing for profit: Shifting your mindset to eventually charge premium rates by demonstrating unique value beyond just a standard haircut.

In this episode, I break down how becoming a father completely changed the way I approach life, business, and money.

A lot of people think having kids slows you down—but for me, it forced me to become more focused, more disciplined, and more intentional with everything I do.

I talk about the mindset shift that happens when you realize there’s no plan B anymore, how I built a six-figure business in a private suite with no walk-ins using social media, and why most barbers aren’t stuck because of skill—they’re stuck because of fear.

We get into:

• Why “you don’t have time” is actually the wake-up call you need
• The difference between your “why” and your emotional anchor
• How to stop letting fear hold you back from growing
• Why not all money is good money
• And how social media became the driving force behind my business

If you’re trying to grow, provide, and build something bigger than yourself… this episode is for you.

In this Built for More mastermind episode, I sit down with BebeLatino 🇲🇽💈 to talk about what it really takes to make it in the barber industry. We dive into his early days cutting hair, how he opened his own shop, and what most barbers overlook when they’re chasing success. This one’s especially for the young, aspiring barbers who only see the shiny side of barbering—the followers, the fades, the lifestyle—but avoid the grind, the leadership, and the real work it takes behind the chair. Topics we cover: 💈 How BebeLatino got started 🏠 What to know before opening a shop ⚠️ Do’s and don’ts when launching a business 💸 What to do if you’re feeling undervalued 👥 How to lead a barbershop with a strong team culture ⚡ Why most barbers don’t want to work, and how that holds them back This episode is raw, honest, and packed with gems. 📢 Tap in, drop a comment, and subscribe for more real barbershop conversations that hit different.

In this emotional and inspiring episode of the Built for More Podcast, I sit down with my good friend Jody Hightower (Jose De La Torre) — a barber, father, and man of faith — who shares his raw story of battling 10 years of alcoholism, surviving a near-death accident, and how faith and barbering gave him a second chance at life. We dive into: • The origin of the name “Jody Hightower” • His spiral into addiction • The accident that changed everything • Finding faith after hitting rock bottom • Rebuilding his life through barbering • Practical content tips for barbers • How he’s staying clean and staying motivated Whether you’re a barber, creative, or just someone going through a dark season — this episode is for you. ⸻ ⏱️ Timestamps: 0:00 – Mic check & intro 1:22 – Welcome to Built For More Podcast 2:07 – The origin of “Jody Hightower” 4:14 – How barbering began in high school 6:08 – Alcoholism, addiction & job loss 7:08 – Getting hit by a truck on July 4th 9:01 – A second chance and God’s intervention 10:33 – How the accident sparked his barber career 14:14 – Relapsing after recovery 16:28 – Cutting hair with crutches outside in the sun 17:10 – Building a personal brand through pain 20:17 – Two years sober & sensitivity to energy 22:35 – Brain damage from alcohol & memory struggles 23:59 – Opening up his own shop for freedom and content 25:19 – Pricing journey: From $13 to scaling his worth 28:08 – Building a loyal clientele brick by brick 34:30 – Practical tips for barber content creation 37:22 – Why barbers should film with the viewer in mind 39:45 – A turning point: Crying out to God while drunk 42:06 – Replacing bad habits with gym, faith, and structure 50:49 – Final message: Have faith & don’t quit ⸻ 📍 Follow Jody: @jodehightower 📍 Follow Paco: @barberpvco 🎧 New episodes every Monday @ 5PM PST 💬 DM me if you’re a barber or entrepreneur with a story to share

• In this episode, I sit down with Carlos Padilla aka Cafe Styles, owner of Better Days Barber Studio in Merced, CA. Carlos opens up about his humble beginnings, building a brand rooted in community, leadership, and sacrifice, and what it really takes to run two successful barbershops while raising a family. We talk about balancing the grind with fatherhood, the morning habits that keep us sharp, and the mindset shifts that helped him overcome fear, doubt, and major challenges — including the pandemic. If you’re a barber, entrepreneur, or anyone chasing growth, this one’s for you. 👇 Timestamps Below 👇 ⸻ ⏱ Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro: Meet Carlos from Better Days 0:45 – Balancing business and family with two shops 2:30 – Why most barbers fail to grow 3:15 – Building the Better Days brand from scratch 4:30 – The fear of opening your first barbershop 6:20 – Letting go of vices to level up 7:45 – Social media’s role in building a barber brand 9:10 – The challenge of finding the right team 10:30 – Carlos’ story: Growing up in Merced 12:45 – Turning pain into leadership 14:00 – Education, travel, and learning from the best 15:30 – Why documenting your growth matters 16:50 – Carlos’ favorite barbers and global influences 18:00 – My 3-clip content strategy explained 19:50 – Client acquisition through storytelling 21:00 – How I scaled from $25 to $75 haircuts 22:30 – High-ticket vs. volume-based barbering 24:00 – Carlos talks about his 18-man team 25:10 – Do we want to cut hair forever? 26:40 – The reality of shop ownership 28:00 – Carlos’ trip to London + panic attack on the plane 30:10 – Lessons from Joshua P and Menspire 31:15 – Our hardest seasons in barbering 33:00 – The Better Days legacy and what’s next 34:30 – Final message: No one’s coming to save you

🔥 In this solo episode, I’m breaking down what it REALLY takes to build a successful barber business. No fluff—just the honest truths I learned from going broke, scaling my prices, and transforming my mindset. If you’re a barber who feels stuck, overworked, or underpaid, this is for you. 👇 Timestamps & Topics 👇 00:00 – Why building a barber business is simpler than you think 01:30 – The myth of working 16-hour days to make more money 04:15 – My burnout from doing 27 haircuts a day 06:40 – The 3 types of clients: Free, Cheap, and Value 09:20 – Why you need to focus on mastery (not fancy tools) 12:00 – Viral videos vs. consistent small content 14:00 – The importance of getting licensed and outgrowing your garage 16:30 – Investing $4,800 in mentorship when I was broke 20:00 – My full pricing journey (from $10 to $100 haircuts) 24:30 – How specialization attracts your ideal clients 28:00 – Content strategy: Recording every haircut & staying consistent 31:00 – Why most barbers fail to build systems 34:00 – The power of taking vacations to reset your business 36:00 – High-ticket barber mindset & staying profitable 39:00 – Why common sense and customer service matter more than skill 41:00 – Action steps for barbers ready to level up ✅ If you found value, subscribe for more episodes about business, barbering, and mindset. 👇 Leave a comment below: What’s your biggest takeaway?

In this episode, I sit outside in my in-laws’ yard surrounded by plants, reflecting on the past two years—the most challenging, rewarding, and humbling years of my life. I talk about losing friendships I thought would last forever, the raw reality of owning a barbershop, and the constant tug-of-war between being a present father and building something bigger than myself. I share why I don’t have it all figured out, why living with my in-laws has been a hidden blessing, and how personal development has completely changed the way I see everything around me. This is for anyone feeling behind or wondering if their struggles mean they’re failing. You’re not. You’re becoming. If this resonates, share it with someone who needs to hear they’re not alone. Tag me with your biggest takeaway—I’d love to hear what stood out to you. 🎙️ Thanks for being here. We’re all figuring this out together.

• In Episode 18 of the ‘Built for More’ podcast, Paco (@barberpvco) sits down with Salvi Styles, a passionate barber and educator making an impact in the industry. Salvi shares how he transitioned from corporate sales to barbering, why he became sensory-safe certified, and how serving special needs clients can help set your brand apart from the rest. 👉 What You’ll Learn: ✅ The mindset shifts required for a successful barber career ✅ Why sensory-friendly services matter (and how to get certified) ✅ The benefits of charging higher prices and providing more value ✅ Tips for making connections and growing your brand through social media ✅ Building a long-term career that serves both your family and your community ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: Paco welcomes Salvi Styles 03:00 – Salvi’s career shift from corporate sales to barbering 06:20 – The importance of customer service & providing value 10:40 – Getting sensory-safe certified and working with special needs clients 15:20 – Tools and techniques for sensory-friendly haircuts 20:30 – The impact of serving special needs clients (and their families) 25:15 – Barbers’ mindset and the role of education 30:10 – Making connections & growing your brand through social media 35:40 – The future of the barber industry & specializing to stand out 40:15 – Advice for new barbers & those seeking financial freedom 45:30 – Importance of evolving with the industry & learning new skills 50:30 – Building a long-term legacy for your family and community 55:00 – The role of entrepreneurship in barbering 57:40 – Final thoughts & how to connect with Salvi Styles 1:01:30 – Outro & CTA: Subscribe, connect, and stay tuned for Part 2!