Today we’d like to introduce you to Martin Gonzalez.
Martin, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
The life of Gettin’ Faded and how it all started back in 1989 begins in an 8×4 bathroom where I gave my older brother and closest friend haircuts. In 1993, a few friends, my brother and I, were talking during my Saturday job and someone said that they were going to go get a fade, referring to the style of haircut. This clicked something in my mind, “Gettin’ Faded,” and the name was born. Right away, I found out how to go about registering the name and had it done. At this point I still was not ready to open a shop, but I had a feeling that someday I would and Gettin’ Faded would be the name. While working two jobs, I was cutting hair in my garage, where I built a small backyard shop and would cut hair for guys on the weekend to build my clientele. In 1998, I decided to quit my jobs and started going to barber school in South Central L.A. I graduated and got my barber’s license. Since I was fresh out of school and had never worked out of a shop, I was turned down often. I remember one of the managers at a shop in the Fox Hills mall turning me down, but this only motivated me as I knew that I was pretty talented in cutting all types of hair textures. I never gave up. I was determined to succeed. I kept going back to the shop and eventually the same manager gave me the opportunity to work. It was not easy. Since I was new and unproven, I had to move around every day and I was only making $85.00 a week. I knew there was room for growth, so I kept at it. With time and a little experience, I knew this was what I was meant to do. I knew I could do it alone, but I thought I’d be better off with a partner, so I chose and convinced one of my cousins to enroll in barber school, which he did. At around the same time, I started working at a shop in Inglewood and continued there for about two years. In 2004, I brought my partner along with me and sought help to buy a shop, which was being sold in Westchester for a $30,000 buyout. I was nervous about this, but we decided to go for it. We haven’t looked back and Gettin’ Faded has been a success since then. In 2014, I decided to bring on another partner to build another shop from the ground up, and it has been a blessing. Reason being, the catchy name, “Gettin’ Faded.”
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?
It has been a road of straight lines, wiggly ones, and many cracked ones. People might think owning a business is all fine and dandy, but it’s extremely hard work. Nothing has come easy. Having just a high school education led me to work that much harder. In turn, this hard work has not only led me to owning two shops, but also has taken me in another direction. That is, starting my own brand, “210 HairFix.” Why “210 HairFix” you may ask, because it’s not your ordinary gel…it’s your “210 HairFix!” What made me do this? It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do and that’s build my own brand because I have ideas to take us to a different level. Especially for those up and coming barbers who are not being noticed in the industry. Through my hard work and support of many, I am reminded daily of the blessings and I truly appreciate everyone and everything that has been a part of this family, which is called, “Gettin’ Faded.”
So, let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Gettin’ Faded Barbershop / 210 HairFix. Tell us more About the business.
We are a brand that services the community to bring out the best in every person after getting a haircut, then using our product to boost their confidence. Yes, a haircut is worth a million bucks, but what’s more important is to make sure each person leaves with a smile on their face. We specialize in all types of haircuts, just because we are called Gettin’ Faded doesn’t mean we only do fades. As a small business owner, what I am most proud of is that we stay busy all day, a blessing in disguise. What sets us apart from others? Nothing, we are all the same.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
What is luck? To me luck is when opportunity meets readiness. If you look at it that way, then, yes, luck has played a meaningful role in my life and business. However, it’s been through hard work, perseverance, dedication and teamwork that we have been successful. The role as an owner is to create full time jobs with great pay for us to make a living and put food on the table, not only for myself, but for all of the Gettin’ Faded family. I’m extremely thankful that I haven’t had any bad luck.
Contact Info:
- Address: 6201 W. 87th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90045 310-410-F8ED (3833)
8320 Lincoln Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045 310-410-3221 - Instagram: @gettinfadedlifestyle
@210hairfix
Image Credit:
Barbers: Erwin Castro, Otis Jones, Photo credit: Thomas Sawyer
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
