This Is Why I Vanished From YouTube…

Summary

The script details the personal journey of a barber and business owner, who navigated challenges during the pandemic, including closing and reopening their barbershop, battling depression, and experiencing a period of homelessness. The story highlights their growth, both personally and professionally, through self-reflection, therapy, and a shift towards a single-chair studio. The speaker shares the lessons learned, such as the importance of self-care and the value of surrounding oneself with positive influences, ultimately leading to a renewed passion for creating content and continuing their entrepreneurial journey.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker opened Born Free Barber Collective in January 2020, but the pandemic forced them to shut it down just two months later.
• 😀 After the shop closure, the speaker experienced a deep depression and a sense of uncertainty about the future of their business.
• 😀 They traveled across the U.S. in a van with their dog, finding solace in nature and creative outlets like playing guitar, before facing more challenges like a van breakdown.
• 😀 When barber shops reopened in July 2020, the speaker returned to Philly, reopened their books, and quickly became booked out with clients seeking haircuts during the pandemic.
• 😀 The speaker worked long hours doing up to 20 haircuts a day, six days a week, while struggling with a toxic relationship and ongoing depression.
• 😀 Therapy helped the speaker manage their mental health, leading them to expand Born Free by adding another chair and hiring Jen, who became a key part of the team.
• 😀 Despite moving back to Brooklyn in 2021, the speaker struggled with personal issues and commuting long distances, which led to physical illness and burnout.
• 😀 In late 2021, the speaker temporarily lived in the breakroom of Born Free, which felt like the closest they came to being homeless, but it was a better option than staying in a toxic environment in Brooklyn.
• 😀 As the business grew, the speaker added more barbers and chairs to Born Free, but eventually realized that a single-chair studio would suit them better for creativity and personal well-being.
• 😀 The speaker transitioned to a new business space, renting a single chair in a My Salon Suites complex to focus on their craft, filming content, and building a more manageable work-life balance.
• 😀 The speaker now has a full clientele, a steady relationship with Zach, and a passion for creating content again, with plans to share tutorials, ASMR-style videos, and the process of building out their new studio.

Q & A

What was the original vision for Born Free Barber Collective?

The original vision for Born Free Barber Collective was to be a creative space with a single chair studio, providing an intimate environment for haircuts and creativity.

How did the pandemic impact the business?

The pandemic forced the closure of Born Free Barber Collective shortly after its opening in January 2020. The business had to shut down, and the owner faced uncertainty about the future of the brand new business.

What was the significance of the van trip for the owner?

The van trip was a way for the owner to cope with depression, disconnect from a difficult situation, and regain some sense of freedom by traveling with their dog, camping, and exploring the US. The experience of living out of the van also played a role in the owner's personal growth.

Why did the owner feel like they were 'homeless' while living in the breakroom?

The owner felt like they were 'homeless' because they had no permanent living space after moving back to Philadelphia. They lived temporarily in the breakroom of Born Free Barber Collective until an apartment above the shop became available.

How did the business evolve after the pandemic?

After the pandemic, the business expanded to accommodate additional barbers. The owner added more chairs, bringing in new team members like Jen, Mitchell, and Mel, and Born Free eventually grew beyond the single-chair vision, while still maintaining a creative atmosphere.

What personal struggles did the owner face while running the business?

The owner faced a range of personal struggles, including deep depression, physical illness from stress, and difficult relationships. Despite these challenges, they continued to push forward with the business and sought therapy to improve their mental health.

What role did therapy play in the owner's recovery?

Therapy was a crucial part of the owner's recovery. It helped them address the emotional challenges they faced, including the depression from closing the business and the stress of managing a growing operation while juggling personal struggles.

Why did the owner decide to move back to a single-chair studio after growing Born Free?

The owner decided to move back to a single-chair studio because they felt it was difficult to provide the quality of haircuts and personal attention they strived for while managing a larger team. The move also allowed them to focus on creative content, including filming again.

How did the owner's new business space in 'My Salon Suites' help them?

The new business space in 'My Salon Suites' allowed the owner to return to a single-chair studio format while providing more flexibility for filming and creating content. It offered a low-risk way to transition back into running their own space and catering to clients.

How has the owner’s work-life balance changed since starting the new studio?

Since starting the new studio, the owner's work-life balance has improved. They now live in the suburbs with their boyfriend, Zach, and have time to engage in hobbies like cycling, reading, and participating in a book club. The owner's books are also full again, signaling the success of their new venture.