Today we’d like to introduce you to Raland Camara.
Hi Raland, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Highland Barbershop is a family-owned business which has been providing great haircuts at a great price for over 50 years! We are a landmark in National City! We are the longest running barbershop in the city of National City. We have received awards for Family-Owned Small Business of the Year and a Resiliency Award from the City of National City. My father, Antonio “Tony” Camara established Highland Barber Shop in 1972 with the simple idea of providing a great haircut at a great price. This core value is still at the heart of this barber shop. This simple idea has stood the test of time and made us big part of the local community. We have been providing quality haircuts for multiple generations. Several of our customers have started with us as kids and now they are coming with their own kids! It’s not unusual for many of our customers to take a selfie at the barbershop, because we are part of their local history. Antonio ran the shop until his passing in 2018. His wife Betty took over from there until her passing in 2021. Raland, their son, started running the business from there. Raland, an engineer at Northrop Grumman, ran the shop during the difficult times of forced closures and economic uncertainty during the heart of the pandemic. Raland took advantage of that time to remodel the shop and expand the shop’s digital presence and clientele. The shop has emerged from those difficult times with tremendous sustained growth. The barbershop has hired multiple barbers, added a collection of high-quality salon products all while still staying consistent with Antonio’s fundamental core values.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The most difficult time was during the uncertainty of the pandemic. The CDC had forced closures for all salons and barber shops. The operating rules were also changing almost weekly. We were able to take that time to remodel the shop and emerge from the pandemic with an updated look and expanded product line of high quality products. Our loyal customers returned as the pandemic came under control and salons and barber shops were allowed to operate once again. Many shops were forced to close during those difficult times. Fortunately, we were able to weather the storm and emerge better than ever! I also believe that our staying power has been due to the barber shop being a memorable part of our customer’s lives and of our community.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My primary career is that of an engineer. I work with a team of engineers at Northrop Grumman which design and develop communications systems used in some of the most advanced aircraft in the world. My parents were the founders of Highland Barber Shop. During the pandemic and my mom’s illness, I had to learn the business from top to bottom during one of the most challenging times for a barber shop owner. I was able to learn from our outstanding collection of barbers, as well as, receive outstanding help from the Small Business Development Center and the Chamber of Commerce. They were outstanding mentors and sounding boards for many of my questions and ideas. What I am most proud of my work, is that we are such a positive impact for our local community. We provide excellent jobs for our barbers and we are a place where our customers have grown up with us. We are a part of their history. We are also a “feel good” place. Who doesn’t like to have a great hair day! It was brought to my attention by one of the SBDC advisors, that “Our customers always leave happy and with a smile on their face”.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I like best about our city is that we are proof positive that a small business can make it and pass the test of time. I think back to some of the big businesses which have come and gone during that time. I think back to when Montgomery Wards was just down the street and was one of the large box stores in the country. Who would have guessed back in 1972, that they are gone and Highland Barber Shop is still there and going strong!
Our city is not without it’s challenges. We are growing and maybe losing some of the old “small town” charm that we once had. Perhaps this is another reason for our shop’s appeal? We are still the barber shop on the corner of 18th and Highland where you can walk in and get a great haircut for a great price.
Pricing:
- Regular Haircut $14
- Zero Fade $16
- Flat top $16
- Skin Fade with Electric Shave $18
- Additional Styles are also available
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HighlandBarbershopNC
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/highland-barber-shop-national-city-2?osq=Highland+Barber+Shop
Image Credits
The image credits are: Tony and Betty Camara (parents), Raland Camara (son), C.J. Camara (grandson), Councilman Ron Morrison, Mayor Alejandra Sotelo-Solis.
