Today we’d like to introduce you to Joselyn Medina.
Hi Joselyn, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
It all started with the desire to have control of my own earnings, how much or how little I wanted to work. My life purpose has always been to serve, to help, encourage, and motivate people. Always had a passion to own my own business and be creative. Before barbering, I worked in the medical field for three years, and tho I enjoyed the work I was doing I still felt like I wasn’t working my full potential. Then one summer I went to a vacation in Texas where I saw two friends cutting their hair while watching a YouTube video and that’s where it all started. I wrote on my notes on my phone that I was going to enroll in barber school, and when I got back home, it just so happened that a barber school was just 15 min from my house. I must say it was God’s plan. Barbering has definitely been the vehicle for me to continue pursuing my life purpose.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I love this question! It definitely has not been a smooth road. Being a female in a male-dominated industry was definitely a struggle at first. I must say a lot of people did not have faith in me. I used to get questions like “You cutting men’s hair, nah” or “You don’t look like a barber, so I don’t want you cutting my hair”. It took me some time of building my reputation, and also having to at some point do haircuts for free to build a portfolio strong enough to where men could see past the fact that I am a female barber. One thing that always kept me inspired along the way was the fact that my work always spoke for me and that definitely pushed me forward.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Josie Barber Studio, I offer appointment-only services! I am a licensed master barber! I take pride in having a chill, relaxing, barbering environment where the client can literally come in at their appointment time, sit down, and get their service without the necessity to wait long times. I educate my clients about their hair and offer suggestions on how to properly maintain their hairstyles, beards, and facial care. For the past two years, I’ve been working on a product line, and upon hearing the client’s suggestions, my partner and I came to the creation of an organic rosewater with essential oils that aid in the prevention of irritation, inflamación, redness, razor bumps of the skin. While at the same time, it’s refreshing and adds moisture to the skin. Another product is a charcoal-based & oat facial soap that aims to detoxify, cleanse, and clarify your skin. Those are my most recent accomplishments product-wise. I am very proud of!
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
At my shop, I like to change the narrative that barbershops are not safe. I am a part of a nonprofit organization called Barbers Against Bullets and what we strive for is to combat gun violence and substance abuse in communities by using the influence of us barbers. By fostering a culture of respect, empathy, and understanding through the trusted relationships between barbers and customers, the aim is to create safer and healthier communities!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/iamjosiethebarber
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/iamjosiethebarber
- Other: www.tiktok.com/iamjosiethebarber
