Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Holder.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Michael. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
When I was 6 years old, my mother took me to a small town barbershop complete with all those things you think of in a barbershop. The three barbers would let me hang out, help sweep up and they always treated me like ‘one of the guys’. It was my first interaction in what an old-school barbershop atmosphere was really like. I witnessed the community aspect and the camaraderie that is a true barbershop. Those experiences at that shop stuck with me into my adult years.
Although I took another career path earlier in my adult life, I always remembered the barbers, the barbershop atmosphere and the customer experience I’d witnessed as a young boy. It was the answer to the occasional question, “If you could go back and be whatever you wanted to be in life, what would it be?” It was always a barber.
Eventually (after much family encouragement), I made the decision to pursue that dream of becoming a barber. With some great timing, a little bit of luck and a lot of hard work and community support, my dream of opening an old-school barbershop like the one I experienced as a child was also realized in 1885 Barbershop & Shave Parlor. We opened in historic downtown Royse City – it’s that same small-town barbershop that I experienced as a boy.
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?
The road to opening 1885 has been more about putting in the hard work rather than what I would call struggles. Such as, renovating a building built in the early 1900’s with no electricity, plumbing, heat or A/C and putting in 3 months of 12-15 hour days to bring the vision of an old-school barbershop to life. With the barber industry not as common as in prior decades, even just convincing folks that a vintage barbershop was the right fit for Royse City was a part of the journey. Putting in the hours as a business owner behind the scenes is all a part of that hard work and rewarding output.
Once we opened, the ‘right fit’ of a barbershop was never a question as the community came out and supported full-force. Even that wonderful business problem to have was a creative challenge as we were initially 3 very busy barbers (now 4) balancing some hectic days with the focus on customer service and a great barbershop experience for all.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about 1885 Barbershop & Shave Parlor – what should we know?
1885 Barbershop & Shave Parlor is a full-service barbershop specializing in all types of haircuts, beard care and straight-razor shaves. Clients enjoy a hot towel service and shampoo with every cut. Our shop is an old-school barbershop both visually and in experience. Our barber chairs are from the 1920’s to early 1950’s which fit well in our early 1900’s shotgun building in historic downtown Royse City.
While we pride ourselves on the quality of our work and putting out great haircuts that people are proud to wear, we are also proud of the family and community atmosphere in the shop. We encourage our customers to hang out and enjoy the barbershop atmosphere – chess, checkers and card games are a favorite of young and old alike.
We all enjoy our work and enjoy meeting people and helping others experience the feel of what a barbershop really used to be like. One of the most wonderful things we’ve witnessed and have been proud to be a part of are those dads who used to go to a barbershop as a kid with their father and who is now sharing that experience with their own sons. Or the adult son bringing an elderly father in because he has always loved a true barbershop experience, but hasn’t had one to go to for years. This is what it’s about.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Personally, as a business owner, a great characteristic to have that equates to success is not being afraid of the hard work required and just rolling up your sleeves to get it all done. We work later hours to accommodate our working clients and that means some late nights to put in. The later hours and work means you have to have good family support backing you up.
Another important characteristic to have, as a business, is great customer service. Always putting clients first will equate to everything else falling into place. The best compliments I receive about the shop are about the quality of service and great atmosphere we have created.
Personally and as a business, you just can’t beat hard work and great customer service as keys to the business’ success.
Pricing:
- Adult Haircut – $21
- Child Haircut (12 and under) – $16
- Straight Razor shave – $30
- Beard shaping – $16
- We also offer Military and First Responder discounts
Contact Info:
- Address: 1885 Barbershop & Shave Parlor
126 E. Main Street
Royse City, TX 75189 - Website: https://1885barbershop.com/
- Phone: 469-723-5033
- Email: 1885barbershop@gmail.com
- Instagram: @1885Barbershop
- Facebook: Facebook.com/1885Barbershop
Image Credit:
Matt Henry
Chris Childers
Eder Mijares
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