Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Ramirez.
Jonathan, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I got into the barbering industry because of an unexpected series of events. One of those events happened to be a home explosion where I received 3rd degree burns to 45% of my body. I was trapped in a burning room followed by multiple explosions. At the time I was successfully modeling and acting in Los Angeles. One of the last jobs I was hired for was a music video called “The Boys” featuring Nikki Minaj and Cassidy. The video took place in a barber shop. Strangely enough, in the video I portrayed a barber that was burned. Let me remind you, this was before my accident.
That accident put my modeling career on hold. I was in a coma for two months and had to wear a mask on my face for 23 hours a day for one year. I was in excruciating pain. I experienced depression, anger and a variety of other emotions because of the mental and physical pain I was in. I remember seeing myself in the mirror for the first time and instantly breaking down. After processing these emotions, I realized that the situation I was in could be temporary and I had to figure out how to coach myself out of it.
I remember getting my first haircut after the accident and seeing myself again for the first time. That haircut gave me the confidence that I needed to move back to Los Angeles to continue pursuing my modeling career. I went on audition after audition and got a lot of negative feedback. I was rejected and felt like I was a monster because of my scars. My confidence quickly faded away and the depression I struggled with came rushing back. Again, I had to coach myself out of the situation. I meditated, expressed gratitude and reminded myself that it was all temporary. I remembered how that first haircut made me feel and knew that I wanted to do something to make people feel the confidence I felt when I got that haircut. I also knew I needed to do something that would allow me to be out of the sun with little manual labor because of what I experienced and how badly I was burned. I had friends who were already in the industry. I spoke to some of them and they encouraged me to pursue barbering. I started cutting hair and realized that I was talented and fell in love with making people feel good about themselves.
I scraped up every penny I could find and opened my first shop. I knew I had no other option but to succeed because my entire life savings were invested in the shop. I had no clients during the first few weeks and began to question if I had made the right move. Then things began picking up and the shop started getting busier and busier. A year later, I opened the second location. In addition to opening the second shop, I have gotten back into modeling and acting, and have also started to receive job offers for speaking engagements.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. I have overcome many hurdles and obstacles throughout this whole experience. The explosion caused me to lose everything I had worked for. My whole life went up in flames. I couldn’t be in the sun, I had breathing issues, and I had to wear a mask for 23 hours a day. I was mentally and physically handicapped with very little mobility.
With the shops, I struggled with finding the right location that would fit the concept I had in mind. Once I found it and built it out, I had a hard time finding barbers to fill the chairs. Once I found the barbers, who are all creative and artistic in their rights, I had a hard time figuring out which personalities would work best between the two locations. The entire time, my driving force was the fact that I wanted to succeed because I had just spent every single penny that I had to open the shops. I sacrificed a lot of nights out, important events and relationships to be where I am today.
Tell us more about the business.
Dame and Dapper is an upscale barbershop that caters to men and women’s barbering needs. Our staff is hand-picked for their exceptional skills and are carefully trained. Our services include straight razor shaves, beard line ups and cuts to name a few. As our industry continues to change, so will our services to meet the ever-changing needs of our customers.
We exemplify the legacy of the art form of barbering. We continue to redefine ourselves through creative expression. Our shops are filled with fully accredited, talented Barbers. We are driven by our goals and expectations, which only strengthens our dedication to providing a uniquely stylish, quality and affordable service.
We value our customers and the trust that they place in us to groom and style them. Our goals are simple. We are intent on surpassing the needs of our customers and we consistently challenge ourselves to achieve higher performance. We guarantee our clients will always receive a high standard of service.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I see the industry moving forward extremely quickly. There are always new trends coming out daily. I think the two next biggest things in the barbering industry are hair transplantation and lace front wigs for men.
Contact Info:
- Address: 322 Washington Street, San Diego, CA 92103
3970 5th Ave., San Diego, CA 92103 - Website: http://dameanddappersd.com
- Phone: 619-886-1519
- Email: dameanddappersd@gmail.com
- Instagram: dame_and_dapper_sd | Welcome_to_mi_vida
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dameanddappersd/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dame-and-dapper-barber-shop-san-diego-2
- Other: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dame-and-dapper-on-5th-san-diego-4
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