Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Ramirez.
Hi Ashley, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been a builder. Whether it was scaling my businesses or managing properties, I’ve focused on excellence. However, the path to where I am today wasn’t just about personal milestones like earning my MBA—it was about recognizing a gap in our community.
I founded the Barcos Foundation because I believe grooming is a fundamental tool for empowerment. We started with a simple mission: providing confidence through haircuts. I’ve seen firsthand how a professional cut can transform a person’s outlook and self-esteem. By merging my business experience with my passion for service, I’ve been able to grow Barcos Foundation into a vehicle for real change. It’s been a journey of late nights, big dreams, and a lot of faith, but seeing the confidence we restore in our neighbors makes every bit of the hustle worth it
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been anything but a smooth road. To look at the MBA or the businesses today is to see the finish line, but the track was full of hurdles that nearly took me out.
The biggest struggle was the sheer weight of management—not just of businesses, but of a home with six children. Trying to be a present, loving mother while pursuing a master’s degree and scaling companies is a level of exhaustion that is hard to describe. There were many days where the ‘mom guilt’ and the ‘CEO stress’ collided, leaving me feeling completely drained.
Then, life hit me where it hurt most. I survived two back-to-back car accidents that changed everything. Those weren’t just ‘fender benders’; they brought real health complications that slowed my body down when my mind wanted to race. Financially, it was a massive blow. When you are the engine of your businesses and your family, and that engine gets damaged, the ripple effect is terrifying.
During that time, I dealt with a profound sense of loneliness. Even when you’re surrounded by people, being the one everyone leans on can make you feel like you’re standing on an island. There were moments I didn’t know if I could keep the doors open or the lights on.
But what kept me steadfast was my prayer closet.
When the world got too loud and the pain from the accidents or the stress of the bills got too heavy, I retreated to that sacred space. It was in that closet—on my knees—where I traded my heaviness for strength. It was where I reminded myself that I wasn’t carrying the load alone. My prayer closet was the birthplace of the Barcos Foundation and the fuel for my MBA. It taught me that even when the road is rocky, as long as my foundation is spiritual, I won’t be moved.
I’m here today not because the road was easy, but because I stayed the course when it was hardest.
My story doesn’t just belong to Detroit; it is rooted in the powerful connection between the Motor City and Atlanta—a bond built on the railroad and the automotive industry.
In 1950, my grandmother, Mattie Cosby, stepped off a train at Michigan Central Station after my grandfather sent for her. She didn’t just arrive on the rails; she arrived on a path her own family helped build. From the railroad tracks of Georgia to the assembly lines of Detroit, my family’s labor is literally the infrastructure of this country.
That connection remains my heartbeat today. Whether I’m fighting to protect our family legacy in Middle Georgia, advocating for our property on in Zebulon (Pike County), or legally ripping through Buckhead for solutions, I carry the strength of both cities with me. The DET to ATL connection is strong, but in my family, it’s unbreakable. I am the daughter of the railroad and the mother of the new Detroit hustle.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Barcos Foundation: More Than a Haircut
What We Do & Our Specialty
At the Barcos Foundation, we specialize in building community confidence. While many see a haircut as a routine luxury, we see it as a fundamental tool for empowerment. We provide professional grooming services to those who need them most—not just to change a look, but to change an outlook.
We are known for our “Confidence Through Grooming” initiatives, where we bring the barbershop experience directly to the community. We bridge the gap between vocational excellence and social service, ensuring that every person who sits in our chair walks away feeling seen, valued, and ready to take on their next chapter.
What Sets Us Apart?
What truly sets the Barcos Foundation apart is our holistic approach to the beauty and barbering industry.
* The Founder’s Edge: I am a licensed barber with an MBA. This allows me to lead the foundation with both the heart of a stylist and the strategic mind of a business executive.
* Legislative & Educational Advocacy: We don’t just give cuts; we fight for the industry. We are deeply involved in legislative advocacy and providing vocational resources (like our Coursera micro-credentialing playlists) to help barbers and stylists level up their own careers.
* STEM Integration: We are pioneers in integrating STEM education into nontraditional fields, showing the community that the beauty industry is a high-tech, high-skill, and high-impact career path.
Brand Pride: What We’ve Built
Brand-wise, I am most proud of our resilience and authenticity. The Barcos Foundation was born out of a real love for Detroit and a desire to see our people thrive. I am proud that we have created a space where “looking good” is recognized as a legitimate step toward “doing good.”
When you see the Barcos name, you are seeing a brand built on integrity, community, and the belief that everyone deserves to feel confident.
What You Should Know
I want readers to know that BarcosFoundation.org is a hub for transformation. Whether we are providing free community haircuts, advocating for barber school students, or offering business incubation for new entrepreneurs, we are here to activate Detroit’s potential.
We aren’t just a nonprofit; we are a movement dedicated to making confidence accessible to all.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
No one reaches the mountaintop alone, and my journey is a testament to the power of a village. When the road got rough—through the accidents, the health challenges, and the pressure of building an empire—there were people who made sure I didn’t break, bend, or fold.
First and foremost, I give all the glory to Jesus. My faith was the anchor that kept me steady when the waves were high.
My foundation starts with my family—my mother, my father, and my aunt—who held the line for me. But my greatest purpose and my most consistent teammates are my six children: MacKenzie, Kenneth, Jerry, Keri, Jonah, and Jacob. They are the reason I work so hard. They didn’t just watch me build; they lived the journey with me, and I want them to look at my life and know one thing for certain: There is nothing you can’t do. You can do ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST who strengthens you.
There are also the organizations and mentors who shaped my skills and my spirit:
* Michigan Barber School & HairLab Detroit: Where my craft was honed and the vision for the Barcos Foundation was born.
* Figure Skating Detroit: For teaching me the discipline and grace I carry into every boardroom.
* Michigan Men’s Health & Money Matters for Youth: For being pillars of support as we serve the community.
* Dr. Kevin Ketels: My mentor at the Mike Ilitch School of Business, who pushed me to sharpen my strategic edge and finish my MBA strong.
And I can’t forget the Detroit Music Artists on my Spotify playlist. In the lonely hours of recovery or study, the rhythm of my city kept my spirit high. To my clients, my teammates, and every advocate who has ever spoken my name—thank you. You are my village, and I am because we are.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://barcosfoundation.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barcosfoundation?igsh=MW9wZjg0d3Vla2djaw==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/182eLuBga9/?mibextid=wwXIfr
