Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Silvaggio
Hi Jonathan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I worked for Coca-Cola in Marketing until 2010. My mentor retired. For his retirement, the company gave him a 20-minute party with a cake and a watch. I realized I wanted to work for something that truly mattered and to find something that I enjoyed. When I was younger, I worked at a deli that was in a salon. I remember how happy the stylists were, along with the strong relationships they developed with their clients. In 2010, I resigned from Coca-Cola and enrolled in barber school.
After barber school, I worked at the United States Coast Guard outside of San Francisco. Some ask me, “Why would you start at a government base?” and I tell them that working there gave me knowledge that I could never pay for. During this time, I was able to learn about all different hair types of men. Fades were the main haircut, and this helped me master the skin fade. After working there for a year, I took a leap of faith and rented a chair in a very busy, walk-in-only shop in San Francisco. I loved the hustle and bustle environment, and it was the first job where I started making real money.
After a couple of years, I left the shop in San Francisco and joined a barbershop that focused on modern, longer hairstyles. It was here that I was introduced to razor cutting and building an established clientele. I learned that having clients who book with you expect perfection, and that is exactly what I gave them. I also utilized the techniques I learned on my previous clients. For example, I was razor cutting and doing razor fades with an actual straight razor and not a foil razor. I was building relationships with clients and realized that I was not just cutting their hair; I was also their therapist. I found my calling, which inspired me to become what I am today.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I moved to Dallas without any clients, friends, or any sort of support system. As you can imagine, moving to a new city and having to rebuild a client base while also taking care of myself personally was a challenge, but I am beyond proud of what I have built and truly enjoy my life in Dallas.
As you know, we’re big fans of The Burly Barbershop. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
The Burly Barbershop, nestled in Lakewood near White Rock Lake, is a private barbershop dedicated to providing top-notch men’s grooming services. Our expertise spans a wide array of grooming techniques, from razor fades and scissor cuts to precise beard trimming, waxing, and comprehensive full-body grooming.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I am incredibly optimistic about where things are headed for men’s haircare and overall self-care. I am proud to offer many new services not typically found in barbershops, including waxing, facials, and full-body grooming. Men are becoming more and more aware of skincare routines and valuing taking care of themselves physically and mentally more than I have ever seen before.
Many industries are currently running in fear of AI and have employees worried about being replaced by robots, but I rest assured knowing that it is hard to replace the personal touch when providing a great service.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theburlybarbershop.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theburlybarbershop
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theburlybarbershop
