Today we’d like to introduce you to Giancarlo Fradella.
Hi Giancarlo, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
From juvenile hall to the county to prison. I got out when I was 23 and never looked back. I ended my life as a wreckless young goon and devoted myself to my daughter, my community and my craft. I had been cutting hair since my childhood back in the juvenile hall days and always had a knack for it. After a couple of dead end jobs, I decided to sign up at the barber college to get my License in Vallejo, CA. Fast forward to the present day, I am the proud owner of the OldeTown Barbershop in Napa, CA. I have two kids, Gia and Vito. I call em Gito. I’m due to be married to my best friend Lupe sometime soon (whenever we decide to actually do it). I’m 34 now and I feel like I’m still on the first couple of chapters of my novel…
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It has not. I’ve struggled a lot with the growing pains of life. Being a single father of my daughter Gianna constantly battling in custody court for her while struggling with my own demons like ego, pride, temptation, addictions and women. I have had a hard time acclimating into grown up life. I’ was in the system since the age of 9 – 25 years old and when I finished my parole at 25, it was such a strange sense of freedom that was very new to me. I have not been in any trouble since I was 19 years old and I’m now 34 but I can say in hindsight that the process has not been easy but in the same breath, I will say it’s getting easier year after year. Being a good person and working hard has become my life and the more I do it the easier it becomes and the more I enjoy it.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Olde town Barbershop is located in the OldeTown neighborhood of Napa, CA. It’s an old school vibe where we offer haircuts straight razor shaves, good music, beer, wine, whiskey and a lot of unique artwork to take in while you receive a haircuts from a master barber. We run a podcast out of the shop called “the war of ideology” by Jeremy Jackson and art for sale by Gordon Huether… We are not particularly a family-friendly shop. We have a lot of expensive and delicate items mixed with a lot of provocative photos and paintings. Our customers enjoy their booze and we talk shop between men. This place is not for children, sensitive or the easily offended people.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Be humble. Be patient. Be clear-minded. Love yourself. Be willing to learn. Love yourself and love your clients. Give thanks often. Find time to pray. Read books. Meditate and take care of your body. Don’t save all your money, don’t over work yourself, ask people for advice, show genuine interest in peoples lives, try to remember there names, write things down, spend time in thoughts and minimize your online line life, bring people flowers drink lots of water, take vitamins, don’t tell people when it’s your birthday, dare to be different, buy the shoes, have a nice watch, take vacations, memorize your social security number and drivers license number, never leave your phone upside down in front of your partner, flex your calves when you walk, stretch often, wear comfy shoes and invest in your bed, curtesy flush , use your blinkers, invest in quality tools, put bills on auto pay, learn the names of the people at businesses you frequent, write people’s bdays down, compliment often, get 8 hours of sleep, memorize a couple jokes from time to time, take out the trash whenever you see it full wherever your at, call your friends just to say hi, get involved in the community and make friends with strangers. Can I keep going?
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: otbnapa.com
- Instagram: @G.the.tonsor
- Facebook: Giancarlo Fradella
- Yelp: Olde town barbershop
