Rese the Barber,
As he prepared to make the transition from Michigan to Houston, Rese began to research barber colleges and with the help of his grandmother, they found a college that would be a good fit for him. Reflecting on his journey through school, he admits he had a lot to learn along the way. He had to become acquainted with barber terms like taper and fade, even clippers. “I did not know anything about cutting hair,” he said. “As I progressed in barbering, it started becoming a little easier.” His first barbershop was in Fresno. He describes it as being small with only three barbers, yet he learned unlimited approaches to branding. “We all pitched in and bought a bunch of flyers and went door to door,” he said. “I learned the mentality of going out and promoting yourself,” he said.
Rese also credits three of his friends for helping him brand himself. They would come to him every single Friday and give him advice. One of his friends is a graphic designer and made Rese’s first logo, which he would put on his hats and collared shirts. Around 2009, he even had an app to further advertise his barber services. He believes he may have even been one of the first barbers to have an app. “It was cool at first, but you could not make appointments on it. It had games and photos on it, but I did not take it
After two and a half years of being at his first shop, he made the move to Missouri City where he worked in a bigger barbershop. He recalls being nervous as he wondered if his clients would follow him and if he would attract new clients. However, Rese was able to build his name, brand and expand his knowledge of barbering. After about six years, Rese felt like it was time for him to spread his wings and establish his brand, so he made the transition to Alex Burton Salons in Sugar Land.
Rese is now on a mission to become the number one barber in Sugar Land. In the next 5 years, Rese hopes to finish instructor school so he can open his own school and teach people how to cut hair according to his standards. Rese credits his wife as the source of his success. He recalls how his wife was always positive even during tough times. “Sometimes I would bring home $200 a week,” he said. “She always believed in me and stood behind me and even sacrificed time for me. She’s seen the start and where I am at now. It’s one thing when you pray for something and then you actually see it happen.” His prayers to cut lawyers, doctors, firefighters, and even NBA and NFL players have all come true. “Now I am at the point where I want to sacrifice for her and give her everything that she was supposed to get five or ten years ago.”
Reflecting over the time spent at his first barbershop, Rese is thankful to have developed business ethics and an understanding of what the barbershop business entails. “It was the best-worst situation I could have done. It showed me how not to be and it showed me what I should be,” he said. “I was taught you treat something how you want to be treated, so if you put time and effort into your business, it will reward you.” His advice to those pursuing barbering is to be consistent. “Consistency is the biggest key whether it be in cutting hair or being on time,” he said. “The mindset I have is don’t meet the client there, beat the client there.”
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Watch the interview below to learn more about Rese and his journey.
Photo Credit: Shayla Kuykendall
