By now, most of us have seen online images of guys in barber chairs getting what’s now commonly called a man weave. This hair procedure is the latest addition to the already booming Black haircare market.
One of the most well known experts in this area is Maryland based Master barber and certified hair loss specialist, Wade Menendez aka Wade the Barber. We chatted with him to find out more about his business and this rapidly growing segment of the hair industry.
Wade The Barber
How did you get started cutting hair and how did you decide to turn it into a profession?
I started cutting my hair at the age of 7 yrs old. After jacking myself up many times I started getting good and the same people that used to tease me about my haircuts started asking me to cut their hair. I tried working many jobs but nothing gave me the same fulfilling feeling as barbering.
Photo credit:NPR
I ended up going to barber school after a while, got my license and started working at a barbershop and the rest was history. I think barbering is also in my blood. My dad would cut us sometimes, my uncle was a barber, and my great grand father was a shop owner.
How did you raise capital to start you first shop?
What is the most challenging and the most rewarding thing about running your business?
Why did you decide to start offering male hair units or “man weaves” and what has the response been so far?
I started doing the hair units after seeing an amazing natural hair technician add hair to dreadlocs at my shop. Until then, I had never seen an afro hair weave, only the Brazilian hair the ladies wear. LOL!
She told me where she got the hair and I started experimenting. I told myself that there has to be a way we can do this for balding men and women.
With trial and error and a few hair stylists showing what they knew, the rest was history. It’s a great feeling to now be able to help men from all over the world.
People now travel to my little city in Maryland from all over the world to get the service done. There have been some people that weren’t for it at first but it’s been four years now and it has become more and more accepted. I saw a need and just tried to fill it!
Guys lives have literally changed, just from having hair again. When I hear the stories of how their confidence has shot up after getting a hair unit it lets me know I’m walking in my purpose.
You have branded yourself as more than just a barber. Do you feel its important for other barbers or hairstylists to do the same?
Where do you see your business in 5 years?
What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?