Today we’d like to introduce you to Aroutin Begian.
Hi Aroutin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I moved to the states when I was two years old from Iran, and grew up in the DC area for the majority of my childhood/high school years. As I was about to graduate from high school, I knew I wanted my career to involve something that would be focused on my creative side. At the time I had a group of professional hairdressers I had befriended who worked at a salon close to a coffee shop I was working at back then.
I was super adventurous with my hair at the time, and I’d always ask them questions about how to style hair, color it, cut it – I tend to be quite obsessive with whatever I get into. One day, my hairdresser friend Tammy asked me “if you’re this interested with hair, why don’t you do it for a living?”
I thought about it for a while and decided it was a great idea, so I took my leap towards it, and I realized it fit me so well; I love getting to know my clients, making them look good, and flexing my creative muscle delivering customized service to them.
I realized in my first year of schooling for hair that I particularly enjoyed short hair and barbershop services, so I decided to take my focus into that realm. And now nearly 12 years later, It’s been an incredibly fruitful journey!
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 don’t want to say that my story was some sort of “It was so hard” kind of deal, seeing as others have been through the same, but I will say it was definitely not easy at times.
From having to learn a lot of my barbering skills through trial and error without colleagues to refer to in the first couple of years, to realize that at certain points in my journey I was in environments I had to progress out of, to realizing places I was working at did not have my best interest in mind, and as a result, taking the leap to run my own business – I will say though, having a drive and obsession with what I do made getting through any of those obstacles a very doable task.
I honestly believe if you’re obsessed and focused with what you do, you can do anything.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
With my business, I specialize in providing custom-tailored haircutting services to my clientele. I’m obsessive with just about whatever I get into, and I have a penchant for details. It’s all about the details. I love applying the artistic aspects of barbering/haircutting to fit each individual who sits in my chair.
I’ve always been someone who’s very particular about my hair (although right now I’m sporting a buzz – I needed a reset haha), and I know how great it is to find a barber who can cut your hair exactly how you like it, and that’s what I pride myself on.
My clients are people like me; they look for and appreciate those details in a haircut, and I love being able to provide that service to them! Putting a smile on people’s faces with what I do makes me happy.
Having been a hair professional for going on 12 years, and nine in Austin total, I’ve been so grateful to have such a great clientele – they’re my community. There’s something unique about being a barber in this city – I’m grateful to have clients from so many walks of life.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love the diversity of people who are in this city – you can find a circle of people that are interested in just about whatever you can think of here. I particularly love the local businesses here, especially the ones that have been around for such a long time. They truly bring the character to this city.
I don’t want to say this is what I’d “least like”, but I’d love to see more small local businesses working and growing with each other, and more of the many creative and ambitious locals of Austin to start their own businesses and keep the community thriving!
Contact Info:
- Website: aroutinbegianhair.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/aroutinbegian
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/aroutinbegian
Image Credits
Photos: Jesse Crouse Video Stills with Client: Beardbrand/Sly Castillo Client: Carlos Costa
