Today we’d like to introduce you to Lilly Benitez.
Hi Lilly, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
First generation from El Salvadoran immigrants, I fundraised to build Blade Craft Barber Academy from scratch to provide a safe haven.
As a love letter to our community, we constructed a coffee shop in our waiting area to attract more clients to the door and ensure our students have the most hands-on while they are in training.
Steam Craft Coffee: bold brews and serious drip with an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship. We believe that every cup of coffee should be an artful experience crafted with passion and dedication to delight and energize our community.
Some Statistics on Blade Craft Barber Academy since 2015:
-92% pass rate
-43% of our graduate go off to open their own business
-97% job placement rate (Not guaranteed employment)
-we are approved to train Veterans separating from the Military to find a new career
Strong partnerships we are proud of:
-We hold a chair on the Deep Ellum Foundation Association board that makes decision with City Officials on safety, ease of doing business, and our neighborhood finances.
-I am a Judge on the world’s largest reality show on Entrepreneurship, The Blox Season 4 & 11 coaching over 110 companies collectively.
-the images of our academy and step by steps are not only featured in the international textbook of barbering, but we are currently Subject Matter Experts in the next edition (Cengage, Milady Barbering 6th edition)
-I have obtained multiple invitations to Podcasts, Keynote, speaking events, as well as on-site training demos
We will continue to apply these metrics to establishing Steam Craft Coffee as a Dallas staple!!
I just published my book “Create Something: Crafting an Entrepreneurial Journey,” available as a book or audible in both 100% English or English/Spanish bilingual.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Entreprenuership has held an array of setbacks. For example, when building Blade Craft Barber Academy, I dealt with ethical and cultural crossroads with the contractors. With building Steam Craft Coffee in 2023, I then dealt with setbacks with the City of Dallas until I found guidance through resilience. In heading to Voice over Vermont to record my the audiobook version of my novel, I dealt with snowstorms, missed flights, and exhaustion. However, all three projects were launched. Now, we need to maximize their potentials.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
Blade Craft Barber Academy and Steam Craft Coffee will both be highlighted on PBS on a show called Start Up. The show airs in 69 countries and seeks to inspire people to open their own business.
This opportunity came from one of our VIP barbering clients who has supported our success through sending us opportunities by way of Bachelor Parties, keynote speaking events, book signings, and now this.
We are here because of our clients and students.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My personal barbering clients are Entrepreneurs have been really helpful and encouraging throughout my career.
My accountant, Kenesha Coleman, of Coleman Tax, as well as my attorneys, have helped guide my path.
As Judge on two Seasons of The Blox, the world’s largest reality show on entrepreneurship, we have created a powerful network of doers and connections that I can reach out to.
Pricing:
- Lilly Keynote/Book signing opportunities start at $2400
- 1000 hours to become a barber start at $700/month
- Create Something: Crafting an Entrepreneurial Journey Paperback $19.99 on Amazon
- Blondie latte from Steam Craft Coffee $5.50
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bladecraftbarber.com www.steamcraftcoffeeshop.com
- Instagram: @bladecraftlilly @bladecraftbarber @steamcraftcoffeeshop
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillybenitez?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
