Today we’d like to introduce you to Anddy Barnes.
Anddy, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am a Memphis native and military Veteran. I moved to DFW in 2010, in hopes of a better life. I have been a licensed Class A Barber since 2012. I honed my skills to suit everyday business professionals, who take pride in their day in and day out appearance. I pride myself on dependability, punctuality, and consistency.
As a child, I watched how my family work hard. Grandmother worked for US Postal Service for 26 years and my mother is still currently working at Federal Express and has been for the past 26 years. I noticed the struggle but I didn’t feel the struggle. But they never got out of the rat race. Which brings me to my vision, which is financial freedom, the ability to do what I am passionate about without having to worry about money or paying bills. My affirmation was and still is to work in a profession with no worries of pay, endless possibilities to meet diverse people to build my network and net worth. I affirmed a profession that would not make or break me as being Transgender. I affirmed a profession that would want me for my skill and intellect and not pass judgment for who I have grown to be. Something that would embrace me being an introvert so that means my work would have to market for me. My alignment with what I desired to lead me to barber. A career that has given me all that I’ve asked for and is now conveying me to create other things that I am passionate about to share with the world. Barbering is my foundation and has become a passion throughout the years. I thrive in making my clients look and feel good about themselves. I have counseled, supported, disciplined, motivated, mentored and graduated clients of all ages, economic and diverse backgrounds. Never thought I would become a barber seven years ago, but it has brought me such great joy. Not once has me being Transgender been an issue.
As I mentioned before, my network is my net worth, so I knew that I had to appeal to a certain clientele base. I sacrificed a lot for this. I’ve spent countless days and nights reading self-help, business and finance books, podcast and YouTube videos constantly to learn to perfect my craft as a barber as well as own and manage a business. Within that desired clientele base, I listened to them talk about what they required in a barber through various conversations. I found the need and filled the void. With referrals and marketing came, more people who wanted the services and business qualities that I had to offer as well as being of service and help to me by propelling me to reach my own goals. Barbering has become a vessel that has begun to carry out all that I desire.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road to get here has been long and winding but never, of course. I have traveled through sunny days and storms, hills, valleys and flatlands to sandy beaches. Yet, it has been a great ride with no regret. I have had a few setbacks to where I had to reroute my goals and reevaluate my life and direction. That’s just part of life and business as well as life in business. My biggest struggle per se has been balancing work and goals over friends and fun. I have said No to friends so much because of work, they have stopped asking me out. So, it still a work in progress.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Above The Average Barber – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Above The Average Barber has been licensed, owned and operated by Anddy Barnes since 2012. I am known for being dependable, punctual and consistent. Within my desired clientele base, I listened to what clients require from their barber through various conversations. I found the void and filled it, which was my clientele didn’t want to wait 2-4 hours sometimes more in a barbershop awaiting services. So, I started appointment only, worked on my craft to be able to give my clients a great haircut and shave in a set time as well as me being punctual 95% of the time. No client wants to wait one hour or more past their appointment before services are rendered. I honed and perfected my craft to suit those I desired as clients. Over the past year or so, the requirement has shifted. My clients are more busy, tired, and stresses of life take a toll. Often times, my clients only time to relax is when they are in my chair. Since I have shifted to a more therapeutic and relaxing feel, I have implemented hot towel shaves with essential oils, facials with a hot steamer, sebum and blackhead extractions, face, head, and neck massager. Now, they can relax more while receiving and a great haircut and shave.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
What I love best about the city of Fort Worth, it is a growing and thriving city. Has great opportunity to grow and as a person as well as a business.
What I like least is not the city itself. I’m from Memphis, TN and Memphis is not small by any means. However, to go anywhere in Memphis is 15-20 minutes. Here in Fort Worth, you can easily expect 30 mins or more. So, for me, it comes as a dislike because I have yet to get used to driving so long to get to a destination and I’ve been here almost nine years.
Pricing:
- Adult Hair Cut $30
- Adult Haircut and Shave $45
- Kids 11-17yrs old $20
- Kids 10-under $15
Contact Info:
- Address: 8000 Wichita St
Suite 110
Fort Worth, Tx 76140 - Website: Www.Atabarber.com
- Phone: 817-353-0968
- Email: anddythabarber@gmail.com
- Instagram: Www.instagram.com/abovetheaveragebarber
- Facebook: Www.facebook.com/abovetheaveragebarber
Image Credit:
Christian Taylor @cee._.visons, Anddy Barnes @abovetheaveragebarber
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
