Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Chavez.
Alex, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
A few years ago, I was cutting hair out of a shared studio with a good friend of mine, Bradford Davison. After a few failed attempts at finding a brick and mortar location our own in Los Angeles, we decided to pack it up and move to Austin Tx. A couple of weeks after making that decision, a good friend and mentor introduced me to Oscar Hermosillo ( our first landlord and business advisor).
Oscar, a restauranteur, was looking to fit a couple of barber chairs into his retail /event space and asked me to consult on the project. After two meetings with him, I pitched the idea of having us open a full-service barbershop inside the event space. That’s how Service & Supply got its start. After a couple of years on Lincoln Blvd., we were offered a lease at a larger location on Rose Ave., where our Venice shop is today. Three years ago, Paul Tatel joined the team. Paul and I met 10 years ago when I was cutting his hair. Last year, Paul and I partnered up to open the second Service & Supply in Downtown’s Arts District.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The first real obstacle was getting a landlord who was willing to take a chance on us. The only experience we had was managing barbershops and salons, we didn’t know anything about actually starting a business. All we knew was that we had a vision for the type of experience we wanted to provide for our employees and our clients.
The second and probably biggest obstacle in any business if finding the right people to work with. I don’t care who you are or what you do, if you don’t have the right people with you, it will be a long and bumpy road. I mean don’t get me wrong, there are always challenges to overcome, but with the right team, those challenges will become learning experiences. Service & Supply wouldn’t be anywhere without our Team, both the people who cut alongside us and those who have been instrumental behind the scene.
Alright – so let’s talk business. What should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Simply put: We’re a barbershop for everyone. We strive to create a shop culture that everyone feels welcomed in. We specialize in short hair and men’s styling, ie: beards and shaves. That doesn’t mean that we won’t cut your hair if it is shoulder length or that we only do buzz cuts.
All of our barbers are incredibly well-rounded and come from different backgrounds in the hair industry. We tend to get clients who are looking for modern styling techniques, with a traditionally communal vibe of a barbershop. I am especially proud of my team from our senior barbers like Katy Liu down to our newest member of the squad. We’re a barbershop owned and operated by barbers so we put the team first, this makes for a better work environment and in turn a better experience for our clients.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
This is a really hard question to answer. Unfortunately, I am not someone who is easily satisfied; once I reach a goal, I’m on to the next. It’s not that I’m not proud of our accomplishments, I am incredibly grateful for what we have built. I just don’t think success can be measured by oneself.
I do have a certain level of fulfillment, but I also have a thirst for growth. One thing that will remain a constant measure is the people around me. If they are doing well and are happy, then I feel successful.
Pricing:
- Haircut. 55.00
- Shave 70.00
- Beard trim 20.00
- Haircut past shoulder length 80.00
Contact Info:
- Address: 405 Rose Ave.
Venice Ca. 90291Inside The Container Yard
400 SEATON ST
LOS ANGELES, CA. 90013 - Website: serviceandsupply.us
- Phone: 310-795-1079
- Email: [email protected]
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
