Daily Inspiration: Meet Sebastian Ayllon and Albert Perez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sebastian Ayllon and Albert Perez.

Hi Sebastian and Albert, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I met my longtime friend and business partner, Albert Perez, in second grade. We grew up in the same apartment complex near Santa Gertrudes and Leffingwell Road in East Whittier. Like many kids from humble beginnings, we shared big entrepreneurial dreams long before we understood what that truly meant.

Life eventually took us in different directions, but as adults we reconnected and found ourselves constantly exchanging business ideas. One thing became clear early on: many barbershops were missing something essential—genuine community and exceptional service.

Albert was looking into barbershops. He brought up the idea of opening one.

Because of my work, I traveled often and got haircuts weekly, sometimes in different cities. I was always particular about where I went and who I trusted with my hair. Over time, I realized I didn’t just want to find the perfect barbershop—I wanted to build the barbershop I would want to be a customer at.

Together we made Fades, which, opened right next to the very apartments where Albert and I grew up. It felt nothing short of a God-sent opportunity.

Along the way, Fades became more than a business—it became a way to give back to the community that raised us. What started as a simple barbershop has grown into a space rooted in service, inclusion, and purpose.

• We provided over 50 free haircuts to active-duty and veteran service members on Veterans Day 🫡
• Through a community-led GoFundMe, we provided 25 families with full Thanksgiving dinner packages
• We built two private, sensory-friendly rooms to provide haircuts to children and adults with autism and special needs—now fully booked every week. We’re proud to offer truly inclusive services 💙
• Just before Christmas, we gave 38 free haircuts to community members in need

The greatest blessing has been the incredible team that stands behind this mission. I want to highlight Brandy and Nadine who are our two barbers who specialize in sensory friendly haircuts, without them Fades would have never been able to offer this service.

I also want to highlight Marcos our shop manager who keeps the shop alive and running when me and Albert are not there.

We’re excited to continue the work in the year ahead and to keep finding new ways to serve, grow, and give back 🚀

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road hasn’t been easy. As we prepared to open, Albert’s father entered hospice care after a battle with cancer, and just weeks before our grand opening, I lost my corporate job.

It was frightening, but the shop gave us purpose when we needed it most. I know I’ll work again in time—right now, my prayers are with Albert’s father and his family.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I worked as a clinical trainer and account manager (sales) for two medical device companies that were start ups. I was along for the ride with both and absorbed as much knowledge on how to start something from nothing. That experience transferred over to the barbershop and an online business I started in 2020. 7 years in corporate really paid off.

Albert joined the army and was an aircraft mechanic, now he owns his own avionics company.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I came to this country with my parents and we didn’t know a word of English. 14 years later we became a U.S. citizens.

We chased the American dream. I want people to know I use to be a kid without bookfair money, I use to be bullied because my shoes were old and my clothes were the same every week.

Struggle made me. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s like they say it’s not where you start it’s where you finish.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fadeswhittier
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@fadeswhittier