Today we’d like to introduce you to Kikè Mendez.
Hi Kikè, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started my career as a barber at the age of 15 in Chicago, Illinois specifically in the town of Cicero. After working for three years in Chicago barbershops picking up techniques from barbers and learning the entrepreneurship lifestyle from clients and other business owners, I decided to travel for the next four years of my life to places including Korea, Thailand, Peru, different parts of Asia and South America, and after 36 different states later I found the city of Austin which is where I decided to call home and came up with the idea of KINGS BARBER STUDIO, which I actually moved back to Chicago and opened up my first location at 24 years old in Wrigleyville. After successfully opening that shop a year later, I decided to open my second location followed by my third in Austin, Texas (East Side). Fast forward to today Kings barber studio is located in Austin, Texas with two locations serving the east side, Cesar Chavez St and E. 6th St.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
My biggest obstacle was Covid. I had recently moved back into Austin January 2020 and just a few weeks into opening my first location here in Austin. We had to close for six months. Not exactly the kickstart and/or the financials I was preparing for.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m most proud of my shops, the ambiance and how fast I was able to get to successful state. Most shops have some difficulty hiring good barbers. Kings is blessed enough to not have a hard time finding good and hard-working barbers.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My advice for those starting out as a barber is to never turn away ANY client take anything that walks in the door to gain experience and consistency. As a business owner starting off your journey. You will definitely run into some hard times. Keep working through it and take advice from others that are already doing the goals you are going to achieve.
Contact Info:
- Email: Kingsbarberstudio@yahoo.com
- Website: Kingsbarberstudio.com
- Instagram: @kike__mendez
