Today we’d like to introduce you to Tré Abeita.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started cutting hair when I was 13 years old out of my mom’s garage in Kyle, TX. It started out as a way to save money but cut after cut, week after week, I got obsessed with getting better and perfecting the craft. I started going to barbershops around the city to pick up some pointers and tips. I met a well-known barber at the time named Ervin out of Lockhart, TX who not only inspired and motivated me but he gave me my first barber chair to take home and start using. In high school, I was able to build a steady clientele and before I knew it, I was cutting hair for my peers, teachers and coaches. After high school, I left Kyle to pursue a collegiate education at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi (TAMUCC); it didn’t take long to build my reputation as a student barber cutting hair out of the dorms and again I was cutting hair for my peers, college athletes, coaches, advisors, etc. after a hard thought summer I decided to enroll into barber school in San Antonio at Alamo City Barber College. After a short 8/9 months course, I successfully obtained my professional Barbers license. Shortly after my time in San Antonio I began seeking higher education through intense clipper cutting courses and flying out to all of the country’s top hair shows. After a good 4/5 years of going to these shows, I was fortunate enough to build a network of the industry’s top creatives and celebrity barbers which led to many life-changing opportunities.
For seven years, I worked in a dual license salon (Ladies & Gents) in Kyle, TX as a booth renter. Working here allowed me to freelance and build my network outside of the shop as well. During my time there, I was called in by some of the Athletes at the University of Texas and after a solid few years of cutting hair (unofficially) for the Texas Athletes, I then found myself taking flights to other states to cut for different NFL franchises, which then led to Superbowl50! As Austin grew larger, more events started to take place for sports and music and I found myself in a very lucrative and fortunate situation to be right in the middle of it all. I was the official barber for the 2015 Xgames, I was an official barber of ACL festival in the artist lounge for three years. During this time, I was able to cut hair for actors and Entertainers like Dj Khaled, Rick Ross, Kevin Durant, Cedric the Entertainer, Quandre DIGGS, Marquise Goodwin, Earl Thomas, Kenny Vaccaro, Lamorne Morris, Jake from State Farm (just to name a few) I am called for many actors and entertainers during the SXSW events, JMBLYA festival, etc. While Austin was blowing up, I was still being flown out by artists to cut at the BET awards in Los Angeles, California for consecutive years, I was then taken under the wing of recording artist Tory Lanez as a traveling tour barber. After many shows and the last tour (Assassination Vacation Tour in London), I finally decided to chalk up the traveling for a bit to return back to my family and focus on opening my first barbershop.
I officially opened “The Shop by Tre” May of 2019. In Kyle TX with Juane Watson and Brandon Reyes. The last three years has been amazing in finding myself as a business owner and dedicating more time as a father and a husband. Post covid, November of 2021, I was contacted by Austin’s Number 1 custom suit tailor, Richard Soto owner and operator of “Soto & Co.” Meetings consisted of a potential collaboration and since Rick and I had very similar network and clientele, it was a no brainer and a must that we come together for a 2022 project. After close consideration, build-out began in mid-February and since the soft opening of our new location together the opportunities have been rolling in. This Shop slash social club is really coming together in a way I feel like we can both change the face of our industries together. The way barbers live and build assets, the experience behind being a member, and the amenities you get along with the network under our roof. Since the rebranding of my shop and the collaborative efforts from Soto & Co. we have gained so much traction, engagement, and support throughout the city. We are excited to brand this collaboration as Austin newest Staple for men’s fashion and hair services.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wouldn’t say a smooth road but it’s been an interesting journey, I’ve always been such a positive person and I’ve learned to take the bumps and bruises as I go, but with strong faith and great support system, I think anything and everything is possible.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Primarily I specialize in Barber services such as clipper or shear haircuts of all textures, classic shaves, or the everyday clean-up or major transformations. Locally I am most known for cutting hair for a lot of the Celebrities that live in or around the Austin area and Working for Austin’s Major events. What really sets me apart is the caliber of my network. Aside from business, I am most proud of being a father and husband but career-wise I am most proud of the people I have been able to build and connect with and I am excited to see what opportunities will come next or how we can all transform our asset portfolios.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Above all, I just want to thank God for allowing me to be a mogul in the hair industry and an inspiration to so many young barbers and entrepreneurs. It’s such a humbling feeling receiving emails, texts and messages on Social media about how I’ve inspired or motivated them to pick up a pair of clippers or a new gig in general. I want to thank my Wife Kimberly Abeita, my two sons, Tré Jr. and Derek Mason and my Lovely daughter Emilia Rein for being the heart and soul of my “Why” and being the best support cast I could ask for.
Contact Info:
- Website: book.thecut.co/theshopbytre
- Instagram: @trelouisabeita, @theshopbytre
- Twitter: @trethebarber
Image Credits
Tre Abeita
