Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Bonoan.
Hi Joshua, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Joshua Bonoan – Barber, Community Builder, Nonprofit Founder
Joshua Bonoan’s path to barbering began with heartbreak—and turned into a lifelong mission. In 2012, just one day after the tragic murder of his brother, Joshua walked into a barbershop with tears in his eyes and years of hair he had been growing. He asked for a “1 and a lineup”—a cut many know as a true transformation. But it wasn’t just the haircut that changed his life. The barber, recognizing his pain, offered the cut for free. “That was the nicest thing anyone had done for me,” Joshua says. “Not even McDonald’s would’ve done that.” That act of kindness opened his eyes to something deeper: the power behind the chair.
Since that pivotal moment, Joshua has made it his purpose to give back through barbering. After earning his barber license, he began offering free haircuts to kids every year on his birthday—a tradition that has grown into a team of barbers committed to serving the community alongside him.
Joshua’s impact has reached far beyond the barbershop. He has received the Barber of the Year Award from the Mayor of Chula Vista, cut hair for San Diego Probation, and provided services to justice-impacted youth and adults, as well as veterans transitioning out of homelessness. His reach extends into classrooms, having taught at Mount Miguel and Monte Vista High Schools, inspiring the next generation through skill and story.
Driven by a deeper mission to uplift underserved communities, Joshua founded two nonprofit organizations:
• Elevate Re Entry, dedicated to helping formerly incarcerated and marginalized individuals successfully reintegrate into society through support, skill-building, and community engagement.
• Cut and Conquer Foundation, focused on motivating, educating, and transforming justice-impacted youth/adults, seniors, veterans, and the unhoused through barber readiness training, personal development, financial literacy, and the healing art of a haircut.
Through the clippers in his hand and the passion in his heart, Joshua Bonoan continues to be a force for transformation, proof that healing can spark purpose—and purpose can spark change.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There was tons of struggles, internally and externally. There’s a saying I keep close to me. “Entrepreneurship is a personal development plan with a paycheck attached. In order for me to expand I had to develop as a human being.
After high school I got arrested. I spent a year in county jail. I felt so ashamed and hit rock bottom. From that moment I knew that my past life wasn’t for me and I had to elevate.
Once I got out I tried joining the military but they wouldn’t take me because of my record. I tried becoming a nurse but they said finding a job after school would be almost impossible with a record.
I tried going to community college at south western college but I knew it wasn’t for me. My business teacher at the time was bragging about his business and I curiously asked how much he made outside of his day job as a teacher and he bragged he made 40,000 the year before. It was that moment I knew I could do better.
Dropped out of college and pursued looking for jobs. I went to Nassco which shortly lived due to the racism I experienced.
After a few odd jobs here and there I took an interview at Cricket wireless. I remember I lied on my resume saying I had sales experience. Maybe about a few days later I got the call that I got the job!
I went on YouTube and bought books on how to sale. I educated myself to my best knowledge and decided that I won’t let my employer down.
Years passed and I became a district manager which managed 4 stores. At the time payment was great, I had started my family, had a small room I was renting. Life was good but I knew something more purposeful for me.
Then I decided to go to barber college. My boss at the time did everything in his power to keep me working for him but I knew deep down inside this job was just a job. I needed something bigger.
Years passed, and as a Filipino barber in an industry dominated by other cultures I knew I had to make a name for myself. So I started competing in barber competitions. Although I only have 13 trophies from my days of competing, it allowed me to grow into my industry and as a person.
At the time I would get made fun of for going to these events and trying to make a name for myself but it never discouraged me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Right now I’m in a phase of giving back. I’m most proud of the team I created at Creative Studios in National city. Those guys are amazing barbers and stylist. It’s a hybrid barbershop which is home is 6 barbers and 4 eye lash technicians.
I’m also super proud of my non profits. I’m also justice impacted. I wish I knew my current self when I was younger. I wish I had the resources to help me get a license and I would not have to have 3 jobs just to pay for school and make sure to help put food on the table.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Yes! Volunteer! You will be surprised in the power of giving back. Go be bold. Stand out. Make business cards, and tackle the day with enthusiasm unknown to mankind.
What worked well for me is working with the community. Become someone in your neighborhood. And of course personal development. Work on yourself and emotional intelligence and it will take you far
Contact Info:
- Website: http://book.thecut.co/KatchAFade
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katchafade_wrldwide?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
