Today we’d like to introduce you to Francisco Alba.
Hi Francisco, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey begins in a dorm room at The University of Texas at Austin. The choices for haircuts around campus were few and far between so I decided to buy some clippers to cut my roommate and I. Little that I know that year would propel my interest in the art of barbering. I joined a fraternity (ODPhi) my second year and things just kept rising! After graduating in 2011, I continued cutting hair in my apartment on Riverside and in 2013, I decided to go get my license in Houston. I moved back to Austin in 2014 and immediately hit the ground running. Fast forward to 2019, I went out on my own and opened up my own barber suite inside Salon Lofts. Working for myself has been an amazing and rewarding experience thus far!
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?
There has been so many obstacles along the way! During college, it was the fine balancing act of studying for my classes, attending events for my fraternity, making time for friends, and cutting hair. After college, I found myself with the hard decision of having to leave back home in order to pursue my license all while maintaining a long-distance relationship with my now wife. It was a tough year for us, but it was so beneficial to our growth. Once I moved back to Austin and started working in my first barbershop, I found myself having to rebuild my client list from scratch yet again. However, I think the most challenging thing to date has to be the pandemic. Closing the shop for two months was really hard, as it was for many other “non-essential” businesses. This situation made me that much more grateful for my wife, family, and the community I have built with my clients.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a professional barber and have been licensed since 2013. I specialize in short to medium-length hair. If I had to pick a style, it would be anything that involves a buttery fade! I am most proud of starting my own barbershop/brand (ODPHADEZ), especially for a young Latino man! I think the passion and dedication I have for this craft set me apart. Day in and day out, I live for this.
Pricing:
- Haircut $45
- Haircut/Beard Trim $65
- Beard Trim $20
- Buzz $15
- Buzz/Beard Trim $35
Contact Info:
- Email: odphadez@gmail.com
- Website: odphadez.com
- Instagram: @odphadez
Image Credits
Amadeo Garcia (images 1833 and 2181) Allison Wilburn (images 8128, 8176, 8438)
