We were lucky to catch up with Abel Olmos recently and have shared our conversation below.
Abel, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Chris: Confidence and self-esteem have long been personal challenges for me. The constant struggles with self-image and self-worth accompanied me throughout my life’s journey. However, my path to self-discovery truly began when I unearthed my passion and talent as a barber.
Through the privilege of serving my amazing clients, I’ve had the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of my own identity. Additionally, the remarkable team I collaborate with reminds me daily that I am not defined by the negative self-talk that once plagued me. It’s thanks to these various factors and the incredible people around me that I’ve been able to uncover the person I always knew was within me.
Each morning, I awaken with a sense of purpose, love, and gratitude that guides my life’s direction. I am driven by the desire to create a lasting legacy.
Abel:
Exciting question! Growing up with immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic, I found myself reflecting back on how I was subjected to their expectations of what success in America should look like to them and to others. My parents had good intentions, instilling in us the values of dedication, hard work, and commitment. However, these values sometimes came at the expense of our own self-worth, especially as we navigated an unfamiliar country with limited resources, a lack of community support, and little understanding of how the social systems in the USA can sometimes work against us.
As I mature and gain wisdom, I begin my day by shaping the narrative I tell myself about who I am and how I want to be perceived in the world. This process requires constant effort to combat the negative internal dialogue, which remains one of my most significant ongoing challenges. In today’s world, there are numerous ways our self-esteem can be undermined, particularly with the constant influence of social media. The first two hours of my day are critical. I typically wake up between 5 to 6 AM and step onto my second-floor balcony in the dark Texas morning during the fall season. This early morning time allows me to reflect and be present with myself instead of focusing on other people’s narratives on social media. How I start my day often sets the tone for how I will end it.
My morning routine plays a valuable role in building my confidence, as it sets the stage for working on various projects. While I continue to seek ways to provide a better life for my family, my background as a Product Manager in the tech industry shapes both how others perceive me and the story I tell myself. Being able to showcase my skills as a business owner, the successful products I’ve launched, and how these products empower others to succeed has granted me small ‘wins’ that contribute to my growing self-confidence. I believe that accumulating multiple victories and providing evidence of those accomplishments fosters a positive self-image.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Chris: My name is Christopher J. Salas, and I holding the title as the Lead Barber at The Barbashop. After only 2.5 years of experience in my career, I have cultivated a successful path and continue to adapt to the ever-evolving world of barbering. I have the privilege of overseeing and mentoring a team of 5 talented barbers, specializing in all hair types. To me, barbering is not just a profession; it’s an art form, and I wake up every day with immense gratitude for the opportunity to create art. I firmly believe that every haircut detail matters, especially when it comes to the impact on a person’s confidence and the positive energy they carry with them into the world.
My personal journey has been marked by trials and tribulations, including battles with addiction and incarceration. Nevertheless, I have devoted my heart and soul to assisting others in their own life challenges. I encounter this opportunity every day as each individual takes a seat in my barber’s chair. Never could I have imagined that someone with my background would be in my current position – a Lead Barber in a prestigious barber shop, a mentor who educates not only my team but other barbers outside The Barbabshop, and someone who invests tremendous effort in touching the lives and hearts of others.
Every day, I tirelessly work to expand my personal brand, leaving behind a lasting legacy that holds value for the world. In my chair and within our shop, it’s always more than just a haircut; it’s about breathing life into others, fostering confidence, forging meaningful connections, and enhancing the world’s beauty, both outwardly and within. It all begins from within.
Abel:
I am Abel Olmos, currently holding the position of Managing Director at The Barbashop. I often refer to myself as a “builder.” My passion for business is fueled by my love and desire to create products that enhance people’s well-being and make their work easier.
My journey started as a Social Worker in New York City, and while it was a challenging field, it prompted me to explore my true calling – to create and build businesses of value that people could use and enjoy.
Establishing a premium service barbershop has opened numerous opportunities for my professional and personal growth. Collaborating with a team of dedicated, talented individuals has compelled me to provide even more value to every client who walks through our doors.
Currently, we are diligently refining our in-house grooming products, including the launch of our exclusive and limited beard oils. The positive response from our clients and the broader community, including online purchasers, has been incredibly gratifying. We are confident in the direction we are headed.
Our current focus revolves around the principles of Excellence, Hospitality, and Craft, and we believe that this simple yet powerful combination will propel our team and business to new heights. We patiently anticipate the exciting moments that are ahead in our journey.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Abel: I wish I had an entire day to dive into this topic. I think about the moments that have shaped my career and how I try to comprehend the journey that brought me to this point.
I reflect on the significance of unlearning everything I was taught to believe. Overcoming this challenging task forced questions such as: How do you unlearn the values instilled by your family, the beliefs held by your friends at the time, and the influences of your environment? How do you remove these notions? I think about the instances when I had to convince myself that everything I knew wasn’t necessarily the ultimate truth. While I continue to have an appreciation for the people and places I grew up around, looking back, I realize that I was heading in a self-destructive direction. Coming to peace with this realization has been a mental struggle, to what many call “a mind-fuck”. I suggest the practice of unlearning everything and questioning everything you interact with. Always seek an alternative way.
Another skill I had to incorporate into my life was establishing a solid routine and the habit of reading books. For a good portion of my life, books didn’t hold a positive view. I had developed a negative association with them, maybe due to the lack of desire for reading in my immediate surroundings. Who around me talked about the joy of reading? Thinking back, very few. I also had to unlearn this mindset. Normalizing the act of reading physical books, with their hardcovers and natural page-turning, has been transformative. I now find myself selecting books that align with my current circumstances and aspirations for the future. I am constantly seeking answers, and books provide not just answers but many clear directions I can implement in my day-to-day life.
Lastly, I place a heavy weight on maintaining my physical appearance. This is an often overlooked skill that can significantly impact one’s career and influence how people perceive and interact with you. By committing to regular workouts, dressing with intention, taking care of personal hygiene, choosing appropriate food habits, and attending to personal grooming, I not only shape how others behave around me but also cultivate a change in my own behavior and self-perception as I engage with the world.
Chris: Upon my release from prison, I vividly remember making a promise to myself: “I promise to accomplish all the goals I had set for myself.” Real to my word, I confronted my fears, planted my feet firmly on the ground, and began to move forward. I committed to making one positive choice at a time, and each such decision paved the way for the next. I recognized in myself three key qualities: kindness, motivation, and a strong work ethic, and these attributes became the driving force behind my life transformation. They allowed me to overcome numerous obstacles and pave a path to where I stand today. I have since found mentors and like-minded individuals who share these qualities, and we mutually support and motivate one another, encouraging personal growth and progress every day. Among the skills I’ve honed, communication, consistency, and the discipline to continuously expand my knowledge within my field and community stand out.
As I contemplate my journey from the various blockers I’ve ascended, I now stand in a place of peace, alignment, and deep gratitude for the circumstances that have guided me to my current position in life, in love, and in my career. The most cherished wisdom I hold is the understanding that all things are temporary, and every problem comes with a solution. I offer this advice to all: maintain consistency, embrace discipline, and trust that the seeds sown today will yield a prosperous tomorrow. The future doesn’t start tomorrow; it starts with you right here, right now.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Abel: We take pleasure in connecting with individuals who look for answers to their questions. At The Barbashop, our focus is to build a world of curiosity and passion. We strongly believe that the future of any business is tied to collaboration. This question brings me joy because we hold a strong conviction that partnerships will play an important role in the growth of successful businesses. A cohesive team and clients who are willing to contribute to your success are the driving forces behind our ongoing work at 1023 Springdale Rd.
Our enthusiasm extends to engaging with a diverse crew of professionals, including entrepreneurs, barbers, designers, and those involved in various ventures such as marketplaces, software development, app creation, clothing lines, and more.
We extend a warm welcome to individuals who are dedicated to honing their craft and committed to embarking on a long and rewarding journey.
Chris: The answer is a loud “Yes!” We are actively seeking collaboration with a diverse range of individuals, including life coaches, barbers and cosmetologists, business owners, models, magazine contributors, skin professionals, photographers, fitness coaches, lifestyle enthusiasts, mentors, and entrepreneurs. Within my own domain, I am constantly on the lookout for models to sit in my chair, as well as individuals who share our vision of elevating the development of the modern man in all aspects – physical, mental, and spiritual. Our goal is to construct a legacy that will stand the test of time and be remembered for.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thebarba.shop
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebarba.shop/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abelolmos-pm/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/abel_ohh
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thebarbashopaustin
Image Credits
Photographer: Tre’ @shotbytredoh
