Today we’d like to introduce you to Tomas Rodriguez.
Hi Tomas, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My Barber journey began cutting my grandfather’s hair on the porch of my parents’ house in Puerto Rico. The love grew out of necessity under low resources that we had disposable to us. When I turned 16 and migrated to Maryland due to my health concerns, it gave me an avenue to survive and support my family. Having a daughter at an early age, I was having to adapt and provide for a growing family. As a Crohn’s disease patient various times I needed to leave my love for cutting to have a more “stable” lifestyle. But I always had that itch for continuing my craft, what I knew I always wanted to do. I finally made the leap and jumped to Barbering full-time. Every day I perfected my craft. It opened doors for me to get to know people and network myself. Throughout my years of cutting, I began cutting for mostly survival to know a way to showcase my love for the art and passion I have for being proud to call myself a Barber.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve struggled many hurdles in my journey. My number 1 hurdle is my health. Being diagnosed at such a rare age for Crohn’s disease, my journey was not easy. From multiple test trails to see what would work and wouldn’t, to hoping that I could go a month without a flare-up. I hoped that I could continue my journey knowing that I could be in a hospital bed any moment. I had to struggle in the beginning of my career with knowing very little English and progressing my communication with clients to speak up. Thankfully, I’m 4 years in remission with my disease, longest I’ve been since diagnosed. I’ve been able to communicate better to establish more relationships in my career, it has taken to levels I never thought I would have before.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a local barber in Baltimore, MD. Most people hear “Barber” and just assume it’s just cutting. But its more to it than that. I am most known for my attention to detail, my perfectionist I have with each and every cut, and mostly for my professionalism. What sets me apart from others that I choose to reach out my comfort zone and try new things to explore more of my craft and what else I can give to my clients.
How do you define success?
Success for me is defined by being able to make work and passion your living hood. We can all have a 9-5 and do what we have to do to survive. But when you are passionate about your work, and you can make it work for your living, then it’s a success.
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