Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Alderete.
Eric, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started out by cutting my friend’s hair in high school when I was 14 years old. Growing up in Taylor TX, there wasn’t many options for barbers so I thought I’d give it a try. I never thought that I would end up making a career out of it but after going to college, I quickly realized that school wasn’t for me and my passion became cutting hair. I came back from college after a year, started cosmetology school, and was cutting out of my bedroom. I got my license after a year of cosmetology and spent the first three years of my career cutting at Platinum Fades in Austin. I built up a clientele good enough to where I thought I was ready to start my own shop. After many conversations with two of my good friends, Carlos Munoz and Saul Hernandez, we decided to open up a barbershop together that is now known as Fadebox Barbershop. We opened our doors on December 2nd, 2019 and after two years, we have 11 total barbers that are all mostly booked up, our own Fadebox merchandise, and have over 2000 followers on Instagram. After having so much success with our first location, we decided on starting a second shop at The Triangle on North Lamar that will be opening up this year on October 23rd.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Opening up a barbershop comes with many obstacles, we needed to find barbers and we needed to get our name out in order to get clientele for those barbers. It also didn’t really help that there was a global pandemic that started three months after we opened. They always say that the first year of starting a business is the hardest but throwing a global pandemic in the middle of it doesn’t make it any easier. We ended up having to be shut down for two months and in a business like ours that means no income for anyone. I was lucky enough to have a team that trusted me and believed in our business and for that, I’ll forever be grateful.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a professional barber that specializes in all different haircuts and all textures. Without trying to sound too conceited, I’m known for being very good at what I do. I”m most proud of being able to start and have a successful business. I’ve been lucky enough in my own career to have been given the opportunity to cut the University of Texas Football and Basketball coaching staffs as well as the players.
Pricing:
- Haircuts $40
- Haircut and beard $50
- Kids Cuts $30
Contact Info:
- Email: fadebox2019@gmail.com
- Website: fadeboxatx.com
- Instagram: @e.fades @fadebox @fadebox.triangle
Image Credits:
Rob Mata
