Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Salas.
Hi Christopher, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Christopher Salas, I am the Lead Barber/Educator at The Barbashop.
My story begins in West Texas. Odessa to be exact. I was a Vocal Major back home with a full ride scholarship. I loved music. It was my passion and my dream to really do something with it. I wanted to be the next Frankie J. Shortly after starting my college career. The worst thing that could happen happened. I lost my Mother. She was my EVERYTHING. My rock, my support, my encourager. At 18 years old you really aren’t equipped to handle a loss of that magnitude. No one teaches Latino Men how to process things in a healthy way. That isn’t prevalent in our culture. We are supposed to be strong and have little emotion. Yet I was broken. I quickly turned to substances starting with alcohol to numb or pretend that I was ok. Then as time went on I begin to go deeper. Weed, Cocaine, Methamphetamines. I had lost everything. I was homeless. From living in sketchy motel rooms to sleeping in shacks. I seemed to only dig deeper holes for myself that landed me multiple times in County Jail. Then soon enough not only once but twice in prison.
I had hurt my remaining family so much in the process of addiction and extremely toxic relationships. When I was getting released from prison. I remember thinking to myself. Even if my Father or Brother choose not to let me Parole to their home. I’m going to find a way, I can’t and wont live like this any more! I’m going to do EVERYTHING I ever said I was going to do.
In 2018 I made parole. My Brother-Anthony Salas, gave me THE chance. He changed my life. He readjusted his entire life to bring me home to Austin, Texas. This was it. This was my only chance. I wasn’t going to disappoint him or anyone else, I was gonna make something of myself.
My life in Austin started off with very little, I was walking 2 miles to the bus stop. Wal-Mart clothes. A whole lot of hope and determination. I worked at a vape shop the first place to hire me. I needed it to rebuild my communication skills and work on reintegration. Quickly on I became the Assistant Manager. I got a second job Serving at Serranos once I started to feel human again.
I had this pull in my soul that there was MORE. This couldn’t be it. It came to me. I want to be a BARBER! I had cut hair a little bit in my life, friends, my own, my moms. I really loved the feeling of making someone feel good about themselves. Haircuts can be life changing!
I made the decision to attend Bevelle Barber School! At this point, I was full charged and full of hope. I worked full time and went to school full time. Halfway into the journey. COVID 19. The world was crazy. No one knew what was going to happen. The school shut down for a bit. Shortly after the school had announced due to being an accredited school. We would be allowed to reopen via ZOOM. Y’all let me tell you. Learning how to cut hair is already difficult. Trying to learn over Zoom? Even Crazier! Our Educators were relentless, I was a hair nerd y’all! I will never forget them and how hard they tried to give us the best Education they could! Coach Leonard, Tom, Miss Barbara, and most of all Miss Yasha Johnson. Y’all changed my life!
In September of 2020 I graduated school despite every challenge. I was so anxious and nervous of finding a place that I could be successful, The devil on my shoulder was telling me, “ You’re not gonna be successful! You? A gay, ex-con, drug addict? Who’s going to even be comfortable sitting in your chair? You’re not even from here. You don’t even know anyone here.”
I received a DM on Instagram from some brown man. He said he really liked my work and to come check out his shop in East Austin. It’s called The Barbashop. Y’all this shop was BOUGIE. It was Beautiful! Way out of my league! Reluctantly I showed up and interviewed with Abel & Kellie Olmos and the conversation was so unique. I did my best to sell myself. I was very open and honest about who I was. What my past was like, I didn’t know much about what I would become. All I knew was, if given this chance. I would do everything I could to be the best that I could be.
They hired me.
It is now 2025. I am the Lead Barber, Hair Artist, Educator and Mentor at The Barbashop. I am a 6 Figure Barber. Abel Olmos has become one of my closest friends, and mentor. Under his guidance he has pushed me to do my own photoshoots, to participate in hair showcases, to create content with purpose! Together we have weathered many storms, overcome many obstacles and have built an amazing team of barbers.
My passion and purpose has come to be a role model for Barbers specifically for young Latinos! Showing what is and can be possible. Not only in hair but in life! To build something greater than ourselves. Something that can withstand the test of time, To leave a mark in this world. To live a meaningful life.
To build a LEGACY.
I am Chris “The Legacy” Cuts
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I love this question! I am so glad that it hasn’t been a smooth road!
My trials and tribulations have shaped the me to be the man that I am. They allowed me to grow and prosper in all the ways that I could have never imagined. If it wasn’t for them. I wouldn’t be capable of doing what I do. Teaching, loving, encouraging others to do great things. To have empathy and understanding, but to have the strength to not only lift myself up, but the others around me.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Barber, an Image Consultant, a Hair Artist. An Educator and Mentor!
It’s hard to solidify what I do into a box. First and foremost. I am a Barber. I love hair! I love people! I specialize in making people look and feel their best! I am extremely creative when it comes to hair. I am passionate about all of it. Long, short, curly, straight and everything in between! There’s not much I can’t do! I am well versed in clipper and scissor work, creating beautiful gradient blends, as well as hair that can flow like water! I love textured and artistic/abstract styles. Finding people in Austin for those styles can be challenging! I can do color, I can braid, I can do designs! I was simply born to do hair.
I am most proud of the community that I have built, the brotherhood, the family within the industry. I am known for being the Shear Guy.
What do I enjoy most?
Building Barbers not only to be successful in their craft and in this industry, but also in life.
This career is more than just hair. We are leaders in our community. We are support to our clients who fall on hard times, We are the ones who have the honor to prepare you for life’s greatest moments. We are confidence builders, we are life changers.
How do you think about luck?
In my new life. I have been so fortunate to be surrounded by good people. People who see my value, my worth, my potential and capabilities. My Loving partner Mark, My mentor Abel, Ray Velez-content creator. My protege’s Saul Campusano and Jacob Castillo. My amazing team of barbers/friends and colleagues. People who encourage me and continue to support whatever crazy dream I have next!
Let’s not forget about the amazing roster of clients that have supported me and continue to support not only me but my team, the shop!
I’ve really been centered on the perspective that there is no bad luck. Everything that happens to me is working to serve me. To teach me lessons and make me better, stronger, wiser.
Pricing:
- Haircuts & More starting at $65
- 1:1 Mentorship starting at $75
Contact Info:
- Website: https://WWW.THEBARBA.SHOP
- Instagram: @christhelegacycuts
Image Credits
Photographer-Henry Selis @henryselisphoto
Pictured with Me- Abel Olmos
Models Featured- Joshua Messer, Ryan Shafiee, Haithem Jallad, Xavier Sulaica, Oscar Zamora, Saul Campusano, Jacob Castillo
