Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Cano.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Anthony. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve always enjoyed the freedom to create and spend time, effort and energy self-directed. Entrepreneurship was always the way even before I knew the term. Having ADHD, my superpower was creativeness. Although I did exceptional in school with the aid of medication, the traditional route wasn’t what nature prescribed. When I didn’t take it, teachers knew immediately and sent me out to be medicated. When I took it, no friend or family member enjoyed the suppression of my true personality. This battle paired with parents in their own battle of divorce was not exactly the best foundation for success and proved to produce an extended stint of anger, bad choices and consequence. Luckily after a friend’s bad visit to a barber college, I picked up a pair of clippers.
At 12 years old, my first “Click, Bzzzzz” I was hooked. At first practice was few and far between as I only had a little brother and a couple of friends willing to let me experiment. Eventually, by 14 I was cutting on a daily basis. It wasn’t yet a career plan but I loved making people feel fresh and confident with my artistic ability. It’s a rope in life I picked up and just continued to pull. It has led to much success, not only financially but through the barber chair I have built thouands of connections, some of which now contribute to my bouquet of life. I can trace back to my barber chair, friendships, my wife and children, my barbershop and the success and blossom of other barbershops budding from the Uppercuts lineage.
I have made business connections and built partnerships all through delivering excellence in service, product, and genuine conversation. I opened Uppercuts Barbershop in 2013. We have proven to be the premier choice for men’s haircuts in our area. I have put my all into my shop. From our best practices, systems, design, app, website, our very own hair product, merch, our shop itself and my team. It shows and the results have been consistent growth. I’ve extended another 1000 sqft, increased from 9 to 14 chairs and also added an office where I can conduct team meetings and other business.
Most recently, I started a real estate investment company with my best friends, one of which I met first as his barber. We started hanging out and then dated and married sisters. Since we have each had two beautiful children almost concurrent and they all absolutely adore each other. This is what I mean when I say “bouquet of life,” and It’s a beautiful one. 3 Key Capital Group, LLC was created through the inspiration of a conversation and connection I had with a walk-in client who happened to be a young and successful investor. I fit him in with only 15 minutes until my next appointment because he had already been waiting some time. You never know who will sit in your chair. A little over a year in business we have done a few deals each in neighborhoods where we grew up in and/or were kicked out of as teens. We have also started a buy and hold portfolio which will provide not only today but will be a staple in our children’s future.
In light of this condensed recap of my story, I want fellow or inspiring entrepreneurs, barbers, stylists, tradesmen and self contractors to know what I believe is key to their future growth and success.
Despite ‘disadvantages’ like ADHD in my case, despite what struggles we have had to overcome and the ones we will inevitably face. Keep your head up, keep moving forward and keep one thing in mind, It’s not about the haircut… It’s not about what you do, it’s about how you do it. It’s about your consistency and your commitment to serve and create real connections with your clients. I’ve seen the most talented barbers struggle and be outshined by average skilled barbers who are just more committed to first impressions, exceptional experience and genuine connections.
These professionals get paid more not only in tips but can also typically charge higher prices for service because it is no longer only a business transaction. It’s easier for clients to pay a person who they like and also performs with passion and purpose rather than with only talent and poor work ethic. Whatever your trade or whatever your selling, the “golden rule” will always provide. You will attract and build relationships with those who are supposed to be in your life. The proof is in my career as a barber, shop owner, and investor. You are in control of your career and the fruits it will provide. Fortunately, this approach will carry over into your personal life for the better. And with this in mind, life can be a beautiful “blend” if you let it.
“How you do anything is how you do everything” – T. Harv Eker.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been many challenges along the road. From as far back as I can remember. ADHD and those challenges and taking myself of the medication and the effects it caused. The chemical whirlwind that was my still-developing brain was tough. Early on in barber school with my parents split and untimely living situations I was homeless for a bit living on friends couches. This gave me a goal to have my own bed and led me to homeownership at 22 years of age. While friends were graduating or still in college, I was furnishing a home that was built a few years prior while I was attending barber school and homeless. I had my wife on bed rest for both pregnancies leaving me to provide solely for all expenses of new homeownership and vehicles while completely invested and trying to get a new barbershop off the ground. Ultimately that pressure only elevated my work ethic and is why financially she is now able to stay home and raise our kids.
Our focus will always be challenged. These experiences when taken as lessons, will always make us more resilient. Hardships elevate your intensity and problem-solving abilities. This is what makes great leaders and business owners. Your income will coincide with how many problems you’re able to solve. Struggle and resistance as we know build strength. One of my favorite quotes.
“Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one” ― Bruce Lee
Uppercuts Barbershop – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My first love is Uppercuts Barbershop. I learned from barbershops growing up what I did and did not want mine to be. My goal was to create a modern experience by bringing professionalism back into the barbershop while staying true to our urban roots. Our company motto is “It’s not about the haircut.” Seemingly a contradiction to the purpose of a barbers task and a barbershop’s purpose, our barbers learn that our clients are not dollar signs, they’re real people who we want to build real connections with. We operate as a family and often take the role as friends, mentors, counselors, advisers and confidants to our clients. I have attended weddings and many clients attended mine. We pride ourselves in our atmosphere, cleanliness and on-time appointments. All this not to mention the excellence of service and super fresh skills each barber possesses!
3 Key Capital Group, LLC. 3 Key Home Solutions was created to buy and renovate houses and beautify neighborhoods I grew up in. We buy houses as-is and typically can solve an array of problems for homeowners who need to sell their home. We are connected in an extensive network of investors and agents and if we don’t have the answer, we know someone who will.
It was a company I created because we as self-employed or business owners do not have 401k or other company established retirement vehicles available to employees of larger companies. We are in charge of our own retirement. And whether it’s a brokerage account such as a Roth IRAs, Real Estate Investments or even Bitcoin, we need to plan for the future. Our careers and businesses need to be hedged with long term investments. Ultimately I want to act as a resource to other barbers and entrepreneurs to spark that direction of investing and overall financial literacy.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career was when we sold a house that we rehabbed a street over from where I lived in high school, where the origins of my barbershop were born in my garage. I cut day in and day out there and have so many memories connected to those streets. I was ultimately kicked out of and removed from the neighborhood as a teen. That’s a story for another time but I managed to buy, renovate and sell a home with the same layout and in walking distance of that high school home.
Contact Info:
- Address: 429 W Pioneer Pkwy
Grand Prairie, Texas 75051 - Website: bookuppercuts.com
- Phone: 972-642-1145
- Email: uppercutsgp@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uppercuts_cano/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UppercutsGP/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/UppercutsCano
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/uppercuts-barbershop-grand-prairie
- Other: 3keycashoffer.com
Image Credit:
Flavio Cervantes
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