Ahmad Shaban shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Ahmad, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think a lot of people secretly struggle with not having it all figured out—especially when it feels like everyone else around them does. Social media’s made that worse; It’s full of highlight reels that make you feel like you’re behind or missing something. But the truth is, no one really has it all together. We’re all just steering the ship the best way we can—sometimes the waters are calm, other times you hit rocks. I’ve learned that most people are just trying to stay afloat while putting on a brave face. We need to be able to find our pleasures whenever we can, because this is a long, continuous journey.
At Minty Barber, we see this all the time—people come in carrying the weight of comparison or burnout, and leave feeling lighter. That’s what we’re here for. A good haircut isn’t just about the fade or the beard line-up—it’s a reset. It’s confidence, it’s self-care, it’s taking a breath. We try to remind people to stop comparing and start reconnecting—with themselves, their goals, and their community. Success isn’t a race, it’s personal. And it’s okay to enjoy the small wins along the way.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Ahmad Shaban, and I’m the co-owner of Minty Barber—a modern barbershop with an old-school soul, founded by myself and my older brother and business partner, Said Shaban. Minty Barber was born from a simple but powerful belief: people deserve better. Clients deserve better haircuts, better service, and a space where they feel seen and taken care of. And barbers deserve to be valued for their craft, respected for their time, and supported in their careers.
We opened our first location in Frisco in 2022 with a small team of just four barbers and one front desk staff. Today, we’ve grown to a team of 25 across two thriving locations—Frisco and McKinney—and we’re just getting started.
What makes Minty different is our people, our culture, and our hospitality. We’re bringing back the old-school barbershop experience, where community and trust are at the core. At Minty, you can walk in knowing you’ll get a custom-tailored, high-quality cut—from a team that cares and a space that feels welcoming. We don’t just cut hair—we build confidence, start conversations, and create moments people actually enjoy.
We’re also working on expanding Minty into grooming and skincare products, so people can take that same quality and confidence home with them. For us, this isn’t just a barbershop—it’s a movement rooted in care, craft, and community.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I think what often breaks the bonds between people isn’t necessarily distance or time—it’s a lack of understanding that we all grow in different ways, at different paces, and on different paths. When people expect others to grow in parallel with them or to remain unchanged, that’s where tension and disconnect begin.
I’ve experienced this firsthand. Right now, I’m in a season of building—building a business, a team, a legacy. That takes 101% of my focus. Meanwhile, some of my closest friends are in completely different stages—starting families, chasing other dreams—and we still stay connected, because there’s mutual understanding. We know our priorities have shifted, and the bond stays strong even if we only catch up every few months.
But there are also friendships where that understanding didn’t exist. I’ve had people expect the same level of availability or interaction we once had, not realizing that growth sometimes means letting go of how things used to be. It’s not about love or loyalty fading—it’s about space, seasons, and acceptance.
What restores bonds, I think, is grace. Grace for each other’s journey. When we stop trying to make people fit into our timeline or version of the world—and just meet them where they are—the connection has room to evolve, not break.
When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
When I was a kid and felt sad or scared, what helped most was knowing I had people in my corner—people I could count on no matter what. For me, that was my father and especially my older brother, Said Shaban, who is now also my business partner.
Even as a kid, I knew that no matter what I was going through—even if Said and I were in a fight or hadn’t talked in a while—he would be the first one by my side if I was in trouble or needed support. That kind of unconditional loyalty and protection shaped how I see the world, and it’s something I still carry with me.
To this day, I still feel fear. I still worry about what could go wrong—I’m hopeful, but I’m also realistic. And knowing that Said has my back, just like he always has since we were kids, gives me the courage to keep going. That trust, that bond—it’s one of the biggest reasons Minty Barber exists. We’re not just building a business—we’re building something rooted in loyalty, trust, and showing up for people when it counts.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think a lot of smart people today are getting it wrong by overvaluing credentials and underestimating the power of experience. Intelligence can take you far, but experience and wisdom almost always win in the real world.
I’ve lived this truth firsthand. I’m nine years younger than my brother and business partner, Said. I was the straight-A student, valedictorian, graduated summa cum laude. On paper, I checked all the boxes. But there have been countless times in building Minty Barber where we’ve hit a wall or had to make a high-stakes decision—and Said’s instincts were spot on, every single time.
His decisions aren’t based on textbooks or business theory. They’re rooted in life. In the years he’s spent working with people, learning the industry, and reading the room when it counts. What might seem like the ‘smart’ choice to me—backed by numbers or logic—doesn’t always align with what actually works in practice. Said’s experience gives him a kind of clarity that cuts through all the noise and delivers results.
It doesn’t matter what degree you have, what books you’ve read, or what your GPA was. None of that replaces the kind of wisdom that only comes from doing the work, making mistakes, and learning the hard way. And if you’re lucky enough to combine intelligence and experience? That’s where the magic really happens.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Honestly? Everything I’m doing right now is for 7, 10, even 20 years down the line. You reap what you sow—and if you reap too quickly, you might lose it just as fast. I’m building with patience and purpose, not for instant results, but for lasting impact.
In the three years since we started Minty Barber, my personal life has taken a backseat. I’m working 80 to 90 hours a week, I’m in debt, and I’m barely paying myself. But I wouldn’t change it. This is the cost of building something real. Something that matters. I’m not interested in quick wins or chasing short-term comfort. If I had money sitting in the bank right now, I’d probably just spend it. Instead, I’m investing every ounce of time, energy, and heart into this brand—into a vision that serves our community and redefines what the barbering industry can look like.
The return I’m working toward isn’t just financial. It’s generational. I want to look back in 10 or 20 years and see that Minty Barber helped shift the culture—that we created jobs, inspired other entrepreneurs, uplifted barbers, and gave people a place to belong and feel confident. That’s the reward I’m chasing. And for that kind of return, I’m willing to give everything today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mintybarber.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minty.barber/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahshaban
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mintybarberllc/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/minty-barber-frisco-5
Image Credits
No Image Credits.
