Meet Aiden Garcia-Sheffield of Underground by The LA Barber in San Pedro

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aiden Garcia-Sheffield.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Aiden. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
This whole venture in hair started in 2009 when I was working as a Flight Attendant and there was an opportunity to take leaves from work. As we all know, there was a recession during that time, and for some reason, I remembered watching what I think may have been an episode of King of The Hill (which was hilarious by the way) and Hank Hill said: “Hair grows even in a recession”. I don’t know why I remember that but it stuck with me. So I started at The Aveda Institute of Chicago. I spent some time after that working as an assistant at a salon on State Street near the Magnificent Mile and one day decided I had enough of the cold and went back to work as a Flight Attendant. Hair wasn’t lost for me, because it ignited the passion I had for running a business as a kid. I used to put rental labels on my video games and would rent the out to other kids. So I had in my mind that I would create salons in airports. Maybe it was a good idea, it probably wasn’t because it seems like I remember a salon in an airport here and there, but the impression was so faint, that I am guessing they aren’t there anymore. Back to Chicago, on a very cold snowy day walking to the bus with a bag and shoes covered in snow, with toes that I couldn’t feel, I had enough. I thought to myself “this cold sucks and who even cares about good hair in gray skies and snow, especially when people are all wearing hats” so I threw everything I owned on a sidewalk with a sign that said “Free, enjoy the blessing” and took off for California. Now, I probably did what a lot of people do, I moved out here with no plan and caught up in the allure of what Los Angeles is, you know movie stars and money etc. Thankfully I had my flight attendant job to save money because I actually lived in LAX for 3 months. Yeah, you read that right, I lived in the airport for three months. I would sleep in our flight attendant crew lounge and would take a hotel shuttle and then walk to a gym on Century Boulevard to take showers and work out. So after I saved some money I moved to Silverlake, then West Hollywood and then Redondo Beach. In Redondo Beach, I lived with a friend and turned my bedroom into what some may call a less than “established salon” I had a couch that clients would sit on to process which turned into a bed at night. Actually, it was really nice, I had the floors done and a bowl plumbed in, I’m pretty proud of that. Some of the work done in that “shop” ended up at award shows and published in other areas. My roommate didn’t care for it, to say the least, luckily I met my husband while I was getting my own place in Long Beach. After a whirlwind romance that ended up in a marriage (three years strong this coming Feb) he moved into my studio. We attempted to buy a house, that didn’t work out and then we moved to a larger apartment after that fell apart. I told him one day I remember one of my instructors from hair school wanting to go to barber school to get the real hardcore training on men’s hair cutting. I wanted to do the same so I took a risky 401K loan and went to Barber school. While I was there I did what most students do and learned what barbering was, but I had the advantage of already understanding the basics. Near the end of barbering school, I was doodling logos (entrepreneurial spirit again) and came up with the name The LA Barber. I started trademarking it after I found out no one had used it. During school and after that I started another…. probably illegal hair salon in my guest bedroom in Long Beach. Well, it paid off. I started gaining a lot of excitement and followers on social media. It was amazing the places I got to. Sadly, I decided to let a Salon owner talk me into working with him, with the promises of great things and continuing the mission I was on. After almost a year of setbacks I finally left and rented a chair at a salon with some amazing girls. Now I had fun, and I kept my clients, but it just was not the aesthetic I needed. Let me stop for a second, I just want to say how thankful I am for those girls. Moving on, I got to experience what being a renter was like and that’s when business management became a reality. After a few months, I bought a house in San Pedro. I mentioned to a new friend (and business owner in San Pedro) I made that I was contemplating moving my chair to San Pedro. She sent me to talk to a gentleman that owns a salon in the building I am currently located in. It wasn’t a fit and I figured it would be just placing myself in a similar situation I was already in. So leaving somewhat discouraged I started to look for an available commercial space in San Pedro, and the rents were friendly but not what I could manage, given that I work creatively part time, because I still fly for a living (it’s just to fun to quit). In my internet quest to find a location, I found a listing for the building that same gentlemen I spoke to was in and the rest, well is maybe history? I lease a space and boom I was open. I named it Underground, because I feel like with all the spaces I have had, and the way things have worked, and how I do things that are against the grain of some advice I received from a veteran (I mean really important woman, like she is well known) that I kind of operate in an Underground way. I also told a lot of people that my previous “shops” were underground to give the clue that they wouldn’t exactly be going to a commercial space to get a haircut. Also, there is this huge concept in the industry that you cannot do barbering and women’s hair. Here is my problem with that concept. Engineers and other brilliant minds can put a man on the moon so why can’t I cut a man and a woman’s hair? It doesn’t make sense to think that way, it’s all angels and formulas for hair. Its face shape, skill, and service. Service, that is another great concept for me, to serve other’s is the highest calling in life, I think that’s why I love also being a flight attendant, which I am in my eleventh year of doing. So I push the boundaries of men’s service, creating excellent experiences and with women, I give great service backed with thousands of hours of experience and training (thank you Vidal Sasson) and it just all works together. The study and implementation of service and the skills to back it up, create something unique. It creates something that most salons and barbershops miss the mark on. Some people view this industry as a “hustle” or that “time is always money” I simply view it as, a calling, enjoyment of empowering others in so many ways. I also enjoy showing others a great time, and now…. here I am!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No way. No, I mean really just no. The biggest challenges are the people who hate you the most for doing something great. Drama is so toxic. I just don’t seem to comprehend people’s pettiness and jealousy. I had to deal with a time when I worked with some people who were just so toxic and on a life level. They sucked. They literally tried to pick me apart for my own shortcomings in any way they could. But I am also grateful for that experience because eventually you just learn to say “hey… buzz off!” and you move on, while secretly improving on the things that their crappy way of criticizing you showed you. Always try to see the positive in things, even if their critique is harsh, there may be some truth to what they say.

Also, we are our biggest obstacle. Stop thinking of what could go wrong and take a risk and try your best. If it doesn’t work out, well to me that’s better than not trying. Literally just stop listing to the voice in your head with all the excuses and do it no matter what, eventually that voice is quieted by the ROAR of success.

Underground by The LA Barber – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My company is founded on the belief that talent is as great as those who are willing to give time to it. I am so very proud that my niche is being someone who says ” I am a licensed barber and stylist” I literally went to both schools and bust my rear end to provide luxury services, with great technical skills to back it up. Oh did I mention the price? Look I still work a flight attendant job, but that’s because the benefits are great both health and travel. But mostly I am like “hey my life is flying the globe and doing great hair, and making people happy.” Maybe that makes me an artist. Instead of a paint brush and canvas its shears and hair spray, but I enjoy the hell out of it and that is unique I believe. I offer amazing products that range from certified organic to healthy and well-priced. I level the field. I offer amazing service, for an amazing price with an amazing product.

I am also very happy to say that I give my time to those in need as well. I am so blessed to give to those who are victims of crimes i.e domestic violence, or those in less fortunate situations, or those who may need to look their best for a job interview but maybe don’t have the money to spend on hair through free hair services. I give willingly because at the end of the day, what I do is making people feel great and that brings such a tremendous satisfaction to my heart.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
A lot of people measure success through achievement with things like money, possessions etc.

I measure success as the realization of ones giving and contribution.

If you can say “My heart and my soul feel good and I feel content” the rest will fall into place. An abundance of happiness is what success, is the rest just goes along with it.

If you love yourself, and you are truly happy, well that is the best way to live. Period.

Contact Info:

• Address: 479 West 6th Street
  San Pedro, CA 90731
• Website: www.thelabarber.com
• Phone: 424-230-9463
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @The_LA_Barber
• Facebook: /thelosangelesbarber
• Twitter: @The_LA_Barber
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/underground-by-the-la-barber-los-angeles

Image Credit:
Photos by Bill Watson