Today we’d like to introduce you to Josue “Sway” Navarro Barraza.
Josue “Sway”, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I go by “Sway.” I was born in Durango, Mexico. I was brought to the United States at the age of five years old. I was raised in a smaller town called Amarillo, Texas most of my life. I started cutting my own hair as a junior in high school, then started charging friends and family $5 to $10 a haircut in my 200 square foot room. I used the money to help my single mother, who did an amazing job raising my three siblings and I. I honestly never thought I’d be cutting hair for a living. But with time, I developed a love for the craft.
In 2012, I enrolled into the Lubbock Hair Academy in Lubbock, Texas after graduating high school. I began networking online with barbers around the globe who were already doing inspiring things in the industry. I made the decision to dedicate my life to barbering, so I could one day live a life like theirs. It then became possible.
I moved to Denver, Colorado, in 2015. I headed north after Nick Castellanos, a friend and mentor, blessed me with the opportunity of a lifetime. He helped connect me with Mike Miller. I became Miller’s personal barber when he played for the Nuggets in the 2015-17 seasons. A devotion to my craft and patience helped me carve out a niche as the Denver Nuggets’ unofficial team barber as Mike Miller put me on to the rest of his teammates shortly after. My client list varied from Gary Harris, Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Paul Millsap, Torrey Craig, Monte Morris, Will Barton, and Michael Porter JR.
I’ve met a lot of amazing people and seen a lot of amazing places through this amazing craft. Needless to say, I’m extremely happy I followed my intuition, and I could only continue to follow that. I’m inspired to learn, meet new people, and strive for greatness. There’s so much I am currently working on. The future excites me. I tend to examine every lesson as an opportunity to become a better artist everyday. Constantly chasing perfection. I know I’ll never be perfect, but I’ll continue to perfect my current situation. One brick at a time.
Has it been a smooth road?
In life, you’re always going to have the ups and downs. A complete roller coaster. That’s with any new venture you commit to. The struggle was the process of understanding how amazing the downs are, just as much as the ups. Understanding and accepting that everything that you go through in life was never there to harm you. But to build you. Build character. Even the worst of times. Staying aware and remembering that everything that happens in life, the good and the bad, has always been for my greatest good.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Renovated Esthetics – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Renovated is a lifestyle name brand. Specializing in value and serving others. I’m a strong believer in “like attracts like.” Whatever you think, feel, say, believe, will determine your outcome in any given situation. And understanding how important it is to show up with a good attitude and how much that can do for you.
Having the opportunity to exchange energy within every single conversation. I take advantage of that time with my clients to speak on life circumstances and learn from each other’s perspectives. Conversation and communication create relationships. I am extremely proud of the foundation that we have been able to build. Renovated Esthetics simply represents the idea of becoming the best version of ourselves. Restoring (something old, in this case your image, character, & esthetics values) to a higher state of repair. From the physical to mental and spiritual. Mind. Body. Soul. It’s more than a haircut.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
LA is the land of opportunity. From the beautiful palm trees to the dreading traffic, LA has taught me that in order to be successful in this city. You must work with what you got. Live in gratitude. And STAY the course. No matter how hard things may get. Those moments are only here to launch you into your greatest success. Overall, I like to believe that you go to NY to fall in love. And you come to LA to discover yourself. And anything great has always stemmed from knowing thyself.
Contact Info:
- Email: renovatedesthetics.gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swvyze.hndrx/?hl=en
Image Credit:
Brennen McMurray and Brien Howell
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