Today we’d like to introduce you to Rose Jasso.
Rose, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My father was born in Mexico City and my mother in East Los Angeles. They met in 1973 in Chula Vista (a metro city of San Diego). I have three older brothers, I’m child number four and the first born daughter preceding my younger sister. We were raised in National City, California about a five-minute drive from downtown SD.
Growing up as a little girl during the 80s, kid and early teenager during the nineties in a predominantly Hispanic and Filipino community the pop culture during that time for what seemed to be the majority was aesthetically the cholo/la look in all aspects from head-to-toe- which was almost atmospherically the norm (at least that’s how I remember it) and taboo to many, yet, very unlike the wide acceptance of today’s hipster generation and mainstream culture. It was a genuine lifestyle.
At a very young age, I knew I wanted to be in the beauty industry. I was 13 when my prima Tina taught me how to apply the black-wing eyeliner the makeup-look of a sixties-glamour icon. I practiced putting on my eyeliner every day until I mastered it as it became a daily stencil on my eyes during that quintessential-teen season. My cousin Tina was very artsy and had amazing penmanship she created the alphabet in different styles of fonts which included calligraphy and gave several pages of them for me to copy which would later become an inspiration for the future fancy letter.
I graduated at 16 from Sweetwater High school-one year early and I was determined to sign-up for beauty school, so I enrolled in the cosmetology course at City College. I would ride the 20 minutes extremely loud and jam-packed red trolley from Chula to Downtown every morning to get to class and I hated it! I was also the youngest in class and felt very much out of place. I was at a standstill because I wanted to peruse my dream, but I also wanted to earn money to buy a car, so I made the strenuous decision to drop out and work. It just wasn’t the right time for me.
As I started working I held many short-to-midterm jobs from being a bakery-clerk at a grocery store, the hostess at restaurants to becoming a front desk receptionist in the admin field at high-end offices in the city while also attending college again at Southwestern to become a youth probation officer. But every day I felt further away from my dream and I couldn’t stop asking myself “What if I grow old and begin to reflect on my past and think to myself: What if I would’ve completed my passion for becoming a hairdresser? What could I have accomplished?”. I couldn’t stop daydreaming-there was a huge tug in my spirit to go back and complete the cosmetology course!
Finally, in 2008 while my daughter was only seven months, I signed up for beauty school again. During the open floor at our school where all students performed low-priced hair services to the public, I would gladly accept the challenge of doing men’s haircuts. When most students refused to cut men’s hair I was there cutting away. I initially had no idea how to use clippers, but I asked one instructor who was a barber many questions and quickly began to learn the fundamentals. I completed the 1600- hour course and received my license after taking my state-board test.
In the following years after working at a few salons, I decided I would much rather work as a barber. In 2013, I got my first opportunity to work at a barbershop. I was very excited and extremely nervous, but I had a vision and overcame it. The first lesson was to learn how to do a skin fade-once you master that meticulous cut every other cut or fade becomes a cake and in the south bay everyone gets a tight fade even babies (LOL)-seriously. At first, it wasn’t easy being accepted as knowing how to cut hair by many clients at an urban shop. Although there are a bunch of men/women who will gladly hop onto your chair to be the next cut there is sadly still a great prejudice towards women in the barbershop. Unfortunately, some people are still very ignorant-minded and believe gender and/or age produce experience. Truth is that time and dedication expel forth great skills and qualifications just like in any other trade. I honestly, never felt like a minority until working behind the chair in a once-male dominated craft. However, learned to bite-the-bullet and press forward which has led me to where I am today. I am grateful to God for establishing the work of my hands and allowing me to flourish in the industry of my heart’s desire.
Has it been a smooth road?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. Having experienced being a single mom and raising three children while working in a busy industry has sometimes been tricky and sometimes very overwhelming.
Tell us more about the business.
I’m a barber/stylist at a traditional barbershop. I specialize in men’s haircuts, beards and hot-towel shaves. I’m most proud of making people feel great after a much needed grooming. I feel that a peaceful-vibe shop where I can play golden oldies, some Charles Bradley, My Morning Jacket, all types of Jazz music, and or client requests while everyone is at ease definitely sets me apart-there are many talented barbers But the ambiance is always key to setting a relaxing mood.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I see the industry continuously growing. It’s one of those trades that computers and robots cannot take-over. But there are so many heads out there and plenty of room for creativity and diversity.
Pricing:
- Men’s Haircut Starting $20+
- Kids Haircuts Starting $17+
- Hot Towel Shave $25
- Hot Towel Shave & Cut $35+
Contact Info:
- Phone: 6198625411
- Instagram: @rosebarberette
Image Credit:
Richard Jasso
Nico Ricoy
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