Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Thompson.
Eric, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Shortly after attending Texas A&M University-Commerce for a year, I was unsuccessful because I couldn’t focus how I wanted to, so I dropped out and I became infatuated with finding out my purpose for living and what my life would manifest into in the long run. Being fresh out of high school not knowing too much about real life is a very confusing stage/process and that’s where I was, but I knew I didn’t want to just sit around or hang out with my friends, so I became more optimistic and thinking outside of the box. I was initially seeking a trade as an automotive technician but due to car troubles that was a dream cut short and it was back to the drawing board for me. Fast forward, a few weeks had gone by and I was watching tv and a Texas Barber College commercial was streaming. At that moment, a light bulb had went off in my head because I figured if I could cut my own hair, I could cut others so I grabbed my phone and googled nearby locations and to my luck, it was one close on the bus line. I didn’t have any money at the time but I had my skateboard so I didn’t let anything come in between me and my objective. I was very happy entering the building I was feeling overjoyed like I’m really about to start a new path and be proactive, but yeah, no, I got denied twice due to the FASFA process and providing the necessary documentation needed to attend. I didn’t let that stop me because I felt that was my calling and on my third attempt, I was successfully accepted and the rest was history.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Definitely hasn’t been a smooth road being an entrepreneur or barber, it’s a job within a job, you get no rest trying to reach your professional peak if you’re serious about what you’re doing. Having a vision that you strongly believe in and possess the attributes and talent to get a job done, yet you still have to get the people to take interest in what you’re conveying is the greatest part of the journey so I wouldn’t look at it as a struggle, just reaching milestones. My struggles early on was creating a lane for myself to grab my clientele’s attention and feel as if I’m the barber they prefer to be their professional barber or groomer. This business is consistently evolving and new knowledge, methods, and implements are being created. Trying to stay up to date to provide world-class services to my clients sometimes can be a hassle because no clients no business but it’s worth everything. Being a self-made young entrepreneur financially backing yourself and learning the ropes through books or just trial and error is the greatest struggle to face in this game. At the end of the day, the greatest benefit that makes it all worth it is seeing your clients recommend you to someone else, speaking highly on your abilities and craftsmanship, and just creating an ongoing growing business with long term friendly faces and friendships.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Solely Organic story. Tell us more about it.
Solely Organic isn’t just one dimensional it’s the seed that rooted off and created different aspects of myself and my abilities, therefore, I was able to use my personal struggles to create more for my future. I am a professional barber, professional tattoo artist, I have an aspiring clothing line, I have an aspiring youth basketball organization and I have an aspiring rap career. On the barber scene which is my first priority, I’m a typical local barber and I specialize not only in my craft but having the ability to be more so charitable and understanding to my clients than profiting off my skill set at all times. I would like to say people like being close to me because I’m more than a barber, I’m a friend, therapist, and much more. I like to provide my clients with the ability to be free and relax from the outside world while attending their appointment. It’s overwhelming in a good way but I’m just proud to say I can do it and do it successfully at a high level with precision, passion, and patience to continuously inspire people around me from my efforts to relentlessly chase my dreams as I felt my dreams were tangible for my desires in my long term livelihood not only financially but the pursuit of freedom and happiness. What sets me apart from others is I’m not in anything that I do for financial gain. I feel as if I’m here as a vessel to inspire and teach others because the more the merrier and the possibilities for growth is unlimited when different minds with the same goal come together to build. I want my legacy to show a man who cares more about the people than the materialistic possession the world offer.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Luck has played no part within my life or business life it’s all gas no breaks, all hustle no luck for me just learning that’s my pedigree.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 469-594-9882
- Email: ericthompson@rocketmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/slim.thebarber
- Facebook: www.instagram.com/americanmonkeyclothing
- Twitter: www.instagram.com/sensi.slimink
- Yelp: www.instagram.com/royalelitedallas
Suggest a story: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
