Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Alderete.
Eric, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I decided that I wanted to try cutting hair as a hobby when I was a freshman in high school so I started watching YouTube videos to learn the basic steps to cutting hair. Growing up in the small town of Taylor, Texas, there wasn’t many barbers at that time so I figured why not give it a shot since we were already getting bad haircuts from our parents anyway. I was lucky enough to have friends that were willing to let me use them as my models while I was getting started. Throughout high school, I started cutting more and more people’s hair to the point where it was more like a part-time job for me. After graduation, I decided to go to college at Tarleton State University. During my first semester, I would cut my best friend/roommate about every two days and he was pretty much my walking advertisement throughout campus. Eventually, word got around and my dorm room became a little barber-shop where I started cutting students, athletes and even coaches.
Needless to say, I wasn’t too focused on school so after the first year, I decided not to go back and that’s when I made the decision that I wanted to make a career out of this little hobby that I was getting pretty good at. Moving back home and not having a license yet, I wasn’t able to work in an actual barbershop so I made a little set up in my room at home and started cutting all my clients there. Finally, after getting my license, I received my first opportunity to work in a barbershop in 2016 at Platinum Fades. Throughout my time there, I gained more clients, grew as a barber, and even got to cut for the University of Texas. After three years of working at Platinum Fades, I decided that it was my time to move on and try and start my own barbershop. With the help of two good friends, we came up with a business plan, scrapped up all our cash and put it into starting Fadebox.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Of course, there has been a few bumps in this journey. I always felt like I shouldn’t been in the position that I am today. At 12 years old, I lost my mother to cancer, so from there, I had an excuse to take my life the wrong direction. I am thankful for my father, my two brothers, and my friend’s mom for taking care of me and keeping me on the right track to be where I am today. Early on, during my first year of college, my family decided to move to Austin, but my clientele at the time was still in Taylor. I was fortunate enough to have my friend’s family let me sleep in there dining room and use there garage to cut hair every other weekend when I came to town.
Also, starling your own business is challenging. I owe a lot to my business partners because I didn’t know much when it came to the terminology or the steps that it took to open up a business. I just knew how to cut hair and run a barbershop. We made mistakes, we mishandled some of the construction, and it took longer than we imagined to get the shop open. At the end of the day, we finally got it open and we’ve been pretty successful so far.
But, I think the biggest struggle is trying to handle time at work and time at home. Being a successful barber you can get caught up working 10-14 even sometimes 16hour days everyday. People non-stop calling and texting you trying to get in, so with that you spend so much time away from family and friends. Once you can figure out that balance, your life becomes so much easier.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Here at Fadebox Barbershop we specialize in all Men’s grooming. We cut, shave, color, braid, re-twist, and even thread eyebrows. I focused on trying to get different barbers that can handle any texture of hair. No matter what hair type you have, we have somebody for you.
But we don’t stop at just haircuts. We have a three seat bar where we serve complimentary drinks. We have water, soda and even liquor and beer if you are over 21. At the bar we even have a ps4 where you can play while you wait. We try to focus being more than just being a barbershop. With our unique name, we focus on building our brand and making it well known. We have trucker hats with our logo, and a fall clothing line is coming out that will include hoodies, crewnecks, beanies, and even cropped hoodies for women.
As a company, I am most proud of my barbers. This year has been rough and for them to stick with us during this pandemic, I am truly grateful. I think what sets us apart from other shops is they way our barbershop looks. We chose to go a modern route with white walls, white tool boxes, wood accent pieces and a lot of green plants all around. Real clean, real sleek, and great vibes as soon as you walk in the door.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was just a regular kid. I loved sports. From the age of four, I started playing baseball, football and basketball. Playing sports was the best part of growing up because I got to play alongside my closest friends. When you grow up in a small town, you get the privilege of growing up with the same people you meet when you’re in elementary school. To this day, some of my closest and best friends are the same ones that I’ve known and have grown up with pretty much my whole life.
Pricing:
- Haircut – $30
- Haircut & Beard – $35
- Kids – $25
Contact Info:
- Address: 1745 W Anderson Ln. Ste 2
Austin, TX 78757 - Website: fadeboxatx.com
- Phone: 512-954-0707
- Email: fadebox2019@gmail.com
- Instagram: @fadebox @e.fades
Image Credit:
Josh Reed
Ig; joshuabrady_
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