Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacob Rodriguez.
Hi Jacob, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Eighteen years ago, my career as a hairstylist began the moment I graduated high school. I had originally thought college would be my path, but cosmetology captured my heart, and I never looked back. Even though that degree was always out there, I found my true calling behind the chair. And over the years, that calling evolved into something much bigger.
From the very beginning, I had a go-getter mindset. I set a goal to become an educator, and just a few years into my career, I achieved that dream with Sexy Hair Concepts. That role took me from a small rented studio all the way to stages across the country and even overseas to Europe and Canada. It was there that I found my true passion for teaching, for helping others grow through the skills I had learned.
That passion led me to a new dream: creating a salon and barbershop that would be all about growing people and changing lives. In 2018, that dream became a reality when we opened Dapper & Dashin’. Now, seven years later, we’ve grown to a team of 15 incredible barbers, stylists, and front desk staff. We’ve been honored to receive awards like Best Barbershop in Central Texas from the Temple Daily Telegram and recognition from Locals Love Us.
In the end, what started as a journey behind the chair turned into a mission to build a community-focused, award-winning salon that’s all about elevating others. And I couldn’t be prouder of how far we’ve come.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I often say that seven years ago, I jumped out of a plane and realized mid-freefall that I didn’t have a parachute. In other words, when I started Dapper & Dashin’, I had no idea what kind of obstacles I’d have to overcome. We were only a year into business when the pandemic hit, and that was like the first big freefall moment—facing an eight-week shutdown that no one could have predicted. On top of that, there were unexpected closures due to bad weather and all the everyday struggles of running a small business. It was a journey of building that parachute on the way down.
But the biggest obstacle wasn’t just the external challenges. It was the moment I had to look in the mirror and become truly aware of myself. I call it the “law of awareness” moment—realizing that to be the leader I wanted to be, I had to acknowledge my own shortcomings and what I didn’t know. As I worked on myself, growing personally to become the best version of me, it transformed how I led my team. Our employee retention improved dramatically once I started that internal work. The obstacles became less daunting, and I was able to guide us through those challenges with more clarity and confidence.
In the end, this journey wasn’t just about growing a business; it was about growing myself. And that’s what turned those freefalls into flights and made Dapper & Dashin’ the thriving, resilient salon it is today.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Dapper & Dashin’ Salon and Shop?
At Dapper & Dashin’, we blend top-notch grooming with a mission to grow people and enrich our community. We specialize in both men’s and women’s hair services—what we call the Dapper side for men’s grooming and the Dashin’ side for women’s styles and color—offering a full spectrum of services tailored to each guest. We’re proud to be one of the highest-rated barbershops and salons in Central Texas, with a 4.9 Google rating from nearly 500 reviews, and accolades like Best Barbershop in Central Texas.
What truly sets us apart is our commitment to giving back. We’re deeply involved in our community, from offering back-to-school haircuts for Foster Love Bell County to supporting and working with Temple ISD’s cosmetology students. I also serve on the board of the Temple Chamber of Commerce and Foster Love Bell County, keeping us closely connected to the heart of our town.
When you visit us, you can choose between our Elite and Classic service tiers. Our Elite services add that extra layer of luxury—like a tea tree detox and hot towel treatment—ensuring every visit feels special. But it’s not just about the services; it’s about how we do them. We intertwine the 4 Ps of our culture—Professional, Personal, Precise, and Passionate—into everything we do, making each experience truly customized and elevated.
We also offer a range of specialty services that our clients love. For men, that includes tailored haircuts like fades , burst fades and textured mullets ,hot towel shaves, and beard trims. For women, we specialize in lived-in colors, vivid colors, extensions, and chic razor cuts. These are just a few of the standout services that make us a go-to destination for a personalized, top-tier experience.
In short, Dapper & Dashin’ is where excellence, community, and a culture of care come together. We can’t wait to welcome you in for your #dapperanddashinexperience.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
For me, it’s not really about luck at all. It’s about faith. From the very beginning of opening Dapper & Dashin’, I’ve believed that God blessed this decision and has been behind every step of the journey—every victory and every challenge. Even in moments that might look like “bad luck” to others, like the pandemic hitting just a year after we opened, I saw it as a profound lesson in faith.
During those tough times, I leaned deeply into prayer, fasting, and trusting that God wouldn’t have opened these doors just to let them close. That faith became my anchor, and it turned those challenges into some of the greatest lessons I’ve ever experienced.
I also see the mentors who have come into my life not as luck, but as part of that same faith journey. I believe it was faith that brought us together and that their willingness to guide, pray, and support me was part of a bigger plan. They’ve been there to lift me up and encourage me, and that’s all reinforced my belief that faith is at the core of everything we’ve built.
In short, it’s not luck that’s shaped my journey, but a steadfast faith in God’s guidance. And that faith has been the foundation of everything we’ve achieved at Dapper & Dashin’.
Pricing:
- We offer tiered level pricing based on the demand of the stylist or barber. An example would be our Dapper classic haircut ranges from $35 t0 $113.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dapperanddashin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dapper_and_dashin/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DapperANDdashin/
- Other: https://share.google/nm8tqih6BaIbyJB9p
