This last week felt like real barber energy was happening. I performed solid fades for two different kids this week, did my first foray into a full highlighting + color with design work, and served more than half my haircuts to return clients.
Let's start with these fades. On Thursday, J-Rock (the kid I faded last week) came back for a touch-up. Like I wrote, he and his brother and his dad are in the shop every week. Like last week, he and his brother rock-paper-scissored over who got to get cut up by me. Like last week, he referred to me regularly as "A-Money" and that's why he's J-Rock. We're all doing nicknames now. Anyway, Jobani came in with his brother and I'm particularly happy with this Super Smash Bro's fade.
Later that day, my boo came in for some color work. Anjelica, my classmate, joined in on the color party. She also wanted some design work so I researched rune-binding. My classmates, especially young Eric, are artists who freestyle design in the moment. My skill confidence is pretty low when it comes to doing detail design work like tattoos, so I leaned into being prepared and worked up a few ideas so when I finally had the opportunity, I could design with intention.
I'm proud of the attempt. I learned a lot from the experience. Next time, I'm going to leave the developer longer to lighten the hair more, or develop a second time with the strength I was using. I'll also keep the color on the hair longer so it holds the color better, and more of the colors will pop post-washing. I also am certain my design work will only get better with practice. Next week I anticipate more opportunities to do stuff like this. I'm excited.
Tuesday, St. Patty's Day, was particularly challenging and awesome. Both these cuts (and another adult fade) were on Tuesday. Plus primary voting first thing that morning. Also, I took my practical exam on performing a Barber Express Facial. Was the first time I did a facial, and had only started learning facials last week in theory. First thing Tuesday morning, I nailed my practical exam. Wednesday, I nailed my written exam. So facials are a thing I can do. This week I begin my Shaving education with doing straight razor shaves on balloons. In a few weeks I'll be doing that practical exam and then I'll be cleared to do pretty much everything as a barber. Which means this whole summer is ratcheting up my skills to just get better and better, cleaner and faster.
Friday was Anjelica's birthday and so, on request, I made jerk chicken along with Ari bringing in Cevice she made with langoustine crab and OMG that shit was fire. The high schoolers agreed that the spread was great and so Eric offered to clean me up for the weekend, and the design work this week was pretty epic.
left-side, freestyle design work. right-side, JFDI incorporated into the design
Just as an epilogue on the week, boo and I disc golfed at 50-Acre Park with my internationally recognized sandwich expert, Jim, yesterday when it was 78º and Sunny and absolutely perfect out. After a drink at Blue Island Beer Company, boo and I watched Project Hail Mary, my favorite book of the last decade, now a great heartwarming sci-fi adventure with Ryan Gosling.
Keep Doing
I have yes-and'd myself into mindset where I'm not afraid of the challenges, just more mindful of my energy going into them and my need to reset before taking on another one. My instructors are seeing this, too, and are supportive while also gently but consistently nudging me to take on a little more. The JFDI attitude is spreading in the shop as my approach towards clients and classmates is taking shape and holding. I'm getting a lot of encouragement from all around my orbit. The positivity and the confidence, but mostly the commitment to the bit, is a through-line I need to maintain.
Less Of
I'm still snacking late and a sucker for the sweets. I really need to contain this as the inflammation is gonna catch up with me one day and I'm not gonna like it.
More Of
More exercising and getting outside when the weather allows it. More grilling. I'm realizing as I prepare my summer of pop-up barbering that my tailgating grill will bring the boys to the yard, as it were. I have so many ideas on how to have a really fun summer of growing a brand and a business. I can't wait to make these ideas real.
Stop Doing
Beating myself up for making mistakes, especially when I'm learning and also learning that my mistakes are easy to erase with skill and confidence.
Start Doing
As a dude who has worked with a straight-razor on himself for decades now, I cannot tell you how excited I am to start working with a straight razor as part of my barbering service. My cuts, my beard and mustache work will be so much better once I'm cleared to work with a razor. The design work will elevate with a more elegant tool at my disposal.
