Today we’d like to introduce you to Said Shaban.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My path into this industry wasn’t exactly traditional. I studied business and spent years working in product and retail across international markets, which gave me a strong understanding of branding, customer experience, and how businesses scale. But somewhere along the way, I realized I was more passionate about industries centered around people, confidence, and personal connection.
That’s really what pulled me into the beauty and barbering industry while I was in New York City. I saw how much impact this industry could have on people beyond just appearances — it was about confidence, identity, and experience. At the same time, I felt like a lot of barbershops were losing their soul. Everything felt rushed and transactional, and we knew there was space to create something different. That is when the idea of Minty Barber was born, and all that needed to be done next was plant the seed.
So we, my business partner/brother and I, opened Minty Barber in Frisco in 2022 with a small team, a big vision, and honestly, a lot to prove. We focused heavily on quality, hospitality, culture, and making people feel taken care of the second they walked through the door. That approach naturally turned into word-of-mouth growth, a loyal client base, and eventually expansion into McKinney, along with grooming and skincare products.
At the core, the mission has stayed the same: build something real, create opportunities for our team, and bring pride and authenticity back to the barbershop experience.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not. From the outside, people usually just see the finished product — the packed shop, the branding, the growth — but they don’t see the pressure and uncertainty that come with building something from scratch.
One of the biggest challenges early on was simply earning trust. We opened Minty Barber as a new name in a highly competitive industry, and in the beginning, every client mattered. We had to prove ourselves one haircut at a time. There were long days, difficult decisions, and moments where we had to figure things out in real time with no blueprint.
Another challenge was building and maintaining the right culture as we grew. Talent alone isn’t enough — especially in this industry. We wanted a team that genuinely cared about professionalism, hospitality, and consistency, and that takes time to build. Protecting the culture becomes even harder once you start expanding.
There’s also the reality that entrepreneurship can be mentally exhausting. When you own the business, you carry everything with you — the operations, the team, the customer experience, the financial pressure, all of it. But honestly, those struggles shaped us. They forced us to become more disciplined, more adaptable, and more intentional about the kind of company we wanted Minty Barber to become.
I think the biggest lesson through all of it is that growth only looks smooth after the fact. While you’re in it, it’s usually messy, uncomfortable, and uncertain — but that’s also where the real progress happens.
I found peace in the fact that a smooth road in business does not exist, we just have to find the road that’s least bumpy.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At its core, Minty Barber was built on barbering. Everything starts there. Our main focus has always been developing top-tier barbers, delivering high-level service, and creating an experience that makes people feel confident walking out the door. We take a lot of pride in the craft itself — the details, the consistency, the hospitality, the professionalism. We never wanted to be just another trendy shop with good marketing. We wanted substance behind the brand.
What’s exciting now is that we’re expanding beyond the traditional barbershop model. We recently launched our own grooming and skincare product line, which is something we’re extremely proud of because it allows us to bring the Minty experience into people’s daily routines outside the shop. The products reflect the same standards we built the business on — quality ingredients, intentional design, and authenticity.
We’re also integrating AI technology into our website to modernize the customer experience in a way that still feels personal. One of the tools we’re developing helps clients get hairstyle inspiration and better visualize styles that fit their features before they even sit in the chair. The goal isn’t to replace the human side of barbering — it’s to remove guesswork and improve communication between the client and barber so people walk away happier and more confident.
I think what really sets Minty apart is that we’ve never boxed ourselves into being “just a barbershop.” We see ourselves as a modern grooming and lifestyle brand that’s rooted in craftsmanship, culture, and innovation — but without losing the authenticity and human connection that built the industry in the first place.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that real growth is usually a lot slower and less glamorous than people think — but that’s actually a good thing.
Early on, it’s easy to get caught up in wanting fast results, fast expansion, fast recognition. But over time I realized that anything built too quickly without a strong foundation usually becomes fragile. We grew Minty Barber client by client, barber by barber, relationship by relationship. A lot of the things that make the business strong today came from years of repetition, consistency, mistakes, adjustments, and patience.
I’ve also learned that momentum can be dangerous if you don’t pair it with discipline. Sometimes opportunities come faster than you’re ready for them, and saying “no” or slowing down can actually be the smarter decision long term. We’ve always tried to grow in a way that protects the quality of the brand instead of chasing growth just for the sake of looking bigger.
I think in today’s world, people underestimate the power of staying committed to something long enough to truly master it. Everybody wants the highlight reel, but most meaningful businesses are built in the quiet, unexciting days where you just keep showing up, improving, and staying patient while the foundation compounds underneath you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mintybarber.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minty.barber/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mintybarberllc/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/minty-barber
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/minty-barber-frisco-5
