Today we’d like to introduce you to Gerson Lemus.
Gerson, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My passion for barbering began in the 10th grade where I was doing haircuts for free to get more practice. It was one of my favorite hobbies but as time went by, I was able to start charging for my services. When I began my first year of college at the University of California, Riverside in 2014, barbering went from a hobby to a part-time job. The dorms was great to me as it brought me so many customers during my time at the university, meanwhile I was able to complete my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. The goal for me was to graduate then go work at a big marketing firm but when I was around 20 years old, I decided I wanted to be my own boss and work for my dreams. Apart from being a full-time college student and cutting hair part-time, I usually had another part-time job to help pay for my expenses. I do not regret pushing myself that hard during college because it was due to that experience that made me realize what it was that I truly wanted to pursue. It was difficult though, at the time I was only a student with a dream and great work ethic. I knew that was not enough for investors but fortunately during my senior year of college when I went to study abroad in Spain, I had to create a business plan for my entrepreneurship class and that’s when J’Bez Barbershop & Salon went from an idea to a plan.
I worked very hard on my business plan to make it the best it can be and the best part about it was the more I worked on it, the better it got. Once I was done with the plan, my professor from the entrepreneurship class loved the idea and even flew out to California a few months after to help me get started. From there, I was able to get the funding I needed and my idea that went to a plan became a reality all before I even got to graduate college. I was 21 years old college student that owned a business and that’s one of my proudest moments in life. Now, we are two years in and we have grown at an exponential rate. We are a one stop hair shop where you can any hair service done and located right across from the UCR campus. We have so much excitement to look forward to as the business grows, it’s only the beginning for us!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
In the entrepreneurial road, you get hit with curveballs for a living it seems. It has not been a smoothest road for us but that has help mold us into a stronger, more united business. With so much competition, our first struggles go back to our beginning days where it was difficult to find the customers we needed to be occupied. We came together as a unit and everyone did their part to promote themselves and the business. Now, we’ve had some days where we were overbooked with appointments and that is a great feeling.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with J’Bez Barbershop & Salon – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
J’Bez main goal is to provide a memorable experience which combines top-notch quality, service, and products. Diversity is an essential piece of J’Bez and here you’ll find a community of mixed demographics where anyone is welcome. This is your home away from home, a place that sees you as a human being and not just as a business client. Trust is earned and not given; we can assure you that our experienced and talented staff with help you feel the best you can.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We plan to expand into different areas of Southern California with a unique plan that combines modern times with the traditional traits of barbering.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1201 University Ave Suite 105
Riverside, CA 92507 - Website: Www.jbezbarbersalon.com
- Phone: 9514445239
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Jbez.barbershop
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=2321490441224251&ref=content_filter
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/qTKq/TwZ3rPxst6
Image Credit:
Ian Chewy, Mikael Tunstall
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