Today we’d like to introduce you to Ahmad Shaban.
Hi Ahmad, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Moving from Massachusetts to Texas, I was surprised by the difference in cultures between the two states. Texas immediately felt like home, and the Southern hospitality is so contagious. I never saw myself as a business owner; I had my head in the books during my time at University of Massachusetts Amherst and I enjoyed the idea of a secure job with a secured income. However, since my brother and business partner, Said Shaban, has been a barber for numerous years, I have always been a member of the beauty industry. As beautiful as Texas is, and as nice and hospitable the people are, we came to realize that these wonderful people are not getting the haircuts and services they deserve! Seeing that we explored countless barber shops across the United States, tested a variety of hair care products, and involved ourselves in both the corporate and operational worlds of the industry, it came time for us to bring to you a business that introduces a unique culture; setting new trends but still preserving the classic feel of this historic industry; because the people deserve better, and Said and I are insistent on delivering the people what they deserve!
Alright, 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?
The path from planning to executing is a bumpy road; finding a great location and delivering a unique shop was not easy at all. During the process we faced multiple issues that pushed us on the verge of almost giving-up. Whether it was construction delays, or financial turbulence, even finding the right people to work with, my brother, and business partner Said, and I were side-kicks for each other; insisting, no matter what, we have each other and we’ll push forward to open up the shop. When you face an issue, solving it is not as simple as google searching the problem, most issues have to be solved by trial and error, and we had so many of these, but, thank GOD, we learn as we grow. The most important thing to remember is to be patient, but never complacent.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Minty Barber?
People deserve better! Over the years, the culture of a barber shop has changed repeatedly. We noticed that most barber shops around the world have started to advertise their amazing lounge rooms that offer a variety of spirits and drinks, an 80” 8K screen TV, and announcing the addition of a glorious pool table. Suddenly, these luxurious additions became a necessity for a barber shop. The actual need for a barber shop is to provide a great, artistic, well-crafted haircut and other grooming services that fits the individual’s head, body shape, and the flow of their day-to-day lifestyle! Minty Barber strives to restore a lost art, the art of authentic barbering. At Minty Barber, we custom make and tailor our grooming services to the individual. Think of us as that custom-tailored suit that you always dreamt of wearing. We really do cut your hair and trim your beard in a way that fits you perfectly. We are not the barber shop who just knows textbook haircuts and execute them on every individual. Not only that, but we use unique products on our clients that they can’t find off the shelf or find at any other barbershop around. We also have the option of purchasing these products, and our barbers will coach you on how to use the product for day-to-day activities and special occasions! We pride ourselves in being well-educated barbers, who rely on science as we continue to grow our knowledge and skills with a wide and deep variety of experience. In today’s world of diversity, it is vital to maintain authenticity, and we have diverse, unique, and authentic barbers. We stay open till 10 PM on weekdays including Fridays because we want to serve the community when they need it most! Most people get off work late and won’t be able to find an appointment in time. Others like to go to the gym right after work or grab dinner, and then realize that it’s 7 PM and all shops are closed. We want to give the community more of our time so we can give them a couple extra hours to their day before receiving a one-of-a-kind service here!
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck does not, and will never, replace hard work. I look at luck as being in the right place at the right time to grab an opportunity you did not expect to come across. However, you need to have worked hard to get yourself in that “lucky” position, and you need to continue working hard if you want to make the best out of that opportunity! Also, I’m a big believer in Karma. When you give, selflessly, you will always get back. Hence, good karma will always come back to you, mostly disguised as “luck”.
In a short period of time, I realized that giving and taking is a two-way street; you can’t expect returns if you don’t initiate “the giving”.
Pricing:
- Haircut – $55
- Minty Hot Towel Shave – $55
- Hangover Treatment (Minty Barber’s men’s facial service)- $50
- Back & Sides (a unique service offered by Minty Barber) – $38
- Junior cut for the pre-teens (3 to 12 yrs old) – $38
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mintybarber.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minty.barber/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mintybarberllc