Today we’d like to introduce you to Nate Sullivan.
Hi Nate, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hello, my name is Nate Sullivan. I’m from a small town in North Dakota. I went to college in Minnesota and graduated with a BS degree in small business and entrepreneurship. I got a job with a coffee distribution company after college, and that is where my love for coffee originated. After working in that role for almost 5 years, I met my wife. We got married and decided we wanted to travel and experience something different. Shortly after, we packed our backpacks and ventured to Australia for a year. This is where my story really begins.
Shortly after my wife and I arrived down under, we both found jobs and instantly became enthralled with the Aussie way of life. It was a culture that worked hard and played hard. To fund our travels, we worked very hard and saved as much as possible. The past 4 years I had been cutting my own hair, so I continued to do so and it wasn’t long after until others in our hostile began approaching me wanting haircuts. I saw an opportunity to make a little side hustle and started cutting without hesitation. After too long, I discovered a new passion. Giving haircuts was an amazing experience that allowed me to connect with so many people. No matter how different we were, it became irrelevant. I loved helping them and they loved coming to me.
My introduction into barbering was also a wakeup call. For not having cut anyone else before, barbering very quickly made itself apparent that it was my calling, or at least something I was very good at. I started off with a twenty-dollar kit of nothing more than clippers and plastic guards. I also picked up a wide tooth comb for using clipper over comb. That was also very fun for me and interesting being I’ve never seen or noticed the clipper over comb technique before. It was almost like a reflex I felt when it was what I was supposed to do in certain situations. After using the clipper over comb method once, I became hooked and kept working at it. I remember walking into barber school after coming back to the states and wanting to do clipper over comb right away. My instructor told me on my first day to be to pump the brakes and take baby steps. He was absolutely right. I needed that humble reminder that Rome wasn’t built in a day.
As this continued throughout our journey, an idea grew in my head. Should I ever consider leaving sales and becoming a barber? I liked the idea but wasn’t 100% certain. The coffee thing came into play as we moved to the big city and I landed a job in a catering business/coffee shop. To serve their particular brand of coffee, I had to go through training and a month’s worth of barista schooling. Can you imagine that? That is love for coffee. This place had such a great brand and cared about it enough to where they paid for me to be fully trained on how to make great coffee. I thought I knew a lot already, but in reality, I had no clue. I’ve never seen so many variables come together to make the perfect espresso. I can surely tell you that it’s hard to compete with Australian coffee.
So, with those two things happening to me, a dream was almost born. My wife and I finished our travels abroad and made our way back to the states. We thought long and hard about where we wanted to live when we got back. Even though we hadn’t seen our families in such a long time, our stuff was already packed and we again saw an opportunity for another adventure. I viewed Dallas as a perfect state with lots of opportunity. We also both had some family in the area and loved the climate so, our minds were quickly set. We made the move and happily started another new chapter. My wife started teaching right away and I enrolled in barber school. I also worked a part time job serving as the lead barista at a classy restaurant. After my experience in Australia, I wasn’t about to leave my passion for coffee. I wanted to share it with as many as I could.
I eventually graduated barber school. As I was waiting to get licensed, I decided to travel around my area and search for a barbershop that I wanted to work at. Now, I must admit, I wasn’t keen on working for anyone but I didn’t let that stop my search. After looking and realizing that there were no barbershops in the region like the one I envisioned being at (one that served world class specialty coffee and created an at-home vibe that would connect and bring everyone closer together), I began to think deeper. Clearly, making specialty coffee and barbering were passions of mine and brought me a lot of joy. It is a labor of love. Seeing as though there was a lack of any culture that included the two of these concepts together in the DFW region, I saw a huge opportunity. I mean who could pass up a classy barber shop that also provided specialty coffee? To me, it was a no-brainer and I never looked back. That is how Mid-Century Barbering & Barista was formed. I got the name from a line of furniture that I’m particularly fond of. Mid-Century modern is a classy yet fun and funky style that was very popular in the ’40s and ’50s. I, being an old soul, love it. With traits like tapered angles, it almost felt like it fit perfectly with barbering; tapered haircuts and all.
Since my move in at Salons By JC, Mid-Century has been a blessing every day and fortunately, with support from the community, it’s growing and gaining awareness. I’d like to thank all in my life who have helped support my path and get me here. From my travels, I learned about a whole new me, and if it wasn’t for my wife pushing me out of my comfort zone, I would never have this business today. I hope to meet as many people as I can and give them wonderful experiences time after time in my suite. I look forward to hearing their stories and becoming a staple in the Lewisville community. It is my absolute pleasure to be your local barber/barista. This is just the beginning, though. As time progresses, there are goals of growing and expanding. But that is ahead. For now, I’d love to extend a warm welcome and invite you to Mid-Century Barbering & Barista.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a relatively smooth transition into the new position. I feel very blessed. In such a short time, I have moved to a new city, attended and graduated barber school, bought a house, and started a business, all within a pandemic. Thanks to the support of my wife and family, I have been able to go after my dream. It has been a long time coming, of course. I am now 30 years old and I’ve had to work very hard to get to this point. It hasn’t been easy as I have had to make sacrifices, work multiple jobs while attending school, and still make time to be the family man that I am. Everything has been 100% worth it, though, and I don’t regret a thing. Life is a journey and every door that closes opens another. That is the philosophy I have always believed since I was young. Everything I’ve been through has built me into the person I am today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My business is truly unique. I am proud to humbly say that I have the first barber suite in all of the DFW area of its kind. To my awareness, there are no other shops that serve specialty coffee complimentary to their guests. I have traveled around the world and have been privileged to serve coffee in Australia, which, in my opinion, is one of the best in the world for their coffee. I learned a great deal from certified professionals about everything that goes into making a quality cup of espresso. My barista experience extends over the past six years. Being able to now serve it inside an American metropolitan area, I feel very optimistic and excited. During the past two years, I have practiced the art of barbering. It is a career I am very passionate about. I am very professional with everything I do. I do custom haircuts, shaves, facials, manicures, perms, relaxers, and color. I work on both men and women and making sure everyone feels and looks their best is my number one priority. I want to create a memorable experience for everyone that sits in my chair and walks through the door. With every haircut, you receive a complimentary consultation to ensure scalp safety, hair growth patterns, and a great haircut. You also get a head cleansing, shampoo and conditioning treatment, followed up with a professional blow-dry styling with product. It doesn’t end there though. Every client gets a 2-minute electric shoulder and scalp massage and their choice of cologne before they leave; not to mention, a quality cup of coffee to enjoy in the chair or to go.
My suite is located inside Salons By JC in Lewisville. It’s perfect for the current time we are in with a pandemic going on. Having one chair makes it very safe, personable, and also helps create lasting memories. I require everyone to wear masks and respect the safety of others. The interior design is very elegant with its black and gold color scheme. The hammered copper espresso machine adds much class. When someone visits my suite, they almost feel like they are in a cafe. Having the front window, it adds much natural light and makes the experience very positive and memorable.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I like that I’m close to many things. North Dallas is great because it is close to where I work and many places I like to visit. I love the weather and the climate. But most of all, I love the area because there is a lot of opportunity. Before my wife and I moved here, I did research and admired Dallas for its entrepreneurial spirit and incredibly unique cultural mix. Essentially, to me, it felt like an artisan’s paradise. Being I’m starting a small business, I felt like Dallas was a great place to do so. Lewisville is also a great town to be in. It feels like a close-knit community, which is something I have always been used to and loved being a part of. What I like least is that I’m not closer the city of Dallas. I love the city and being a part of one as great as Dallas would be incredible. Perhaps one day, but for now, Lewisville is a wonderful first location and I am extremely grateful.
Contact Info:
- Email: midcenturybarbering@yahoo.com
- Website: https://sullivan7117.wixsite.com/mid-centurybarbering
- Instagram: @thebarberingbarista
- Facebook: @thebarberingbarista
- Yelp: Mid-Century Barbering & Barista
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