Meet Salvador Gomez Ambriz | Co-Owner of Gentlemens Hair Lounge

We had the good fortune of connecting with Salvador Gomez Ambriz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Salvador, how do you think about risk?
Risk taking has been a part of who I am. The moment I decided to quit my job and start my barber journey was the biggest risk I’ve ever taken. I was 20 years old, engaged and had my first daughter. I also had what you would call a “stable” job. I knew working at that restaurant as a server would not secure a future for my family. I managed to save a few months of income for rent and bills. Not knowing what the future had in store for me, I embarked on a journey that would ultimately prove to be the right one. I managed to find the right mentor with whom I learned many things. I took the skills I had and the new ones I picked up and I was able to find my style. After trying multiple salons to no avail I had my second daughter on the way and I needed to make sure I was somewhere more stable. Undeterred by the failures of the past I left the salon I was at to start at my first barbershop. There I met some good people and I finally felt like part of a family. After several years I amassed a large clientele base that allowed me to pursue my dreams of opening up my first barbershop. Alongside my brother we opened a two chair shop while we found something bigger. A little after the pandemic arrived and with it brought doubt and uncertainty. But the stars were aligning once I drove past a for lease sign. After many hours of weighing the good vs the bad we decided to relocate and open a bigger barbershop. It sure was a big risk and it didn’t take long for us to be hit with the reality of a pandemic. 2 months after we opened our new location the governor of California announced that barbershops would be forced to close down for 3 months. The risks I’ve taken in my life have been large but they have been in faith. I am happy to have taken that first risk because it now has allowed me to provide for my family and to be able to give them a better life than I had.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve always loved art in all its forms. There’s something about consuming and creating art that makes me fill at peace. Since the start of my career I knew how I wanted the haircuts to look. I would envision the final product but I lacked the skills to bring it all together. It was my drive to perfect every haircut I did along with attention to detail that allowed my skills to reach a level I never dreamed of. Having my client sit in the chair specially after the long pandemic break and being able to bring joy back into their lives was priceless for me. That smile I see when I hand the mirror to them is what keeps me going. Through my 12 years as a barber I’ve learned that the clients don’t always know the proper terminology or understand fully what they are asking for. I make sure we are both able to understand each other and are in agreement before I begin. The client consultation and education before the haircut is very important to me. Once I’m ready to begin it’s like the hair is a blank canvas and the clippers are my paint brushes. It’s very satisfying to see it come together.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The outdoors have always been more enjoyable than bars. So to get things started we would spend a day in Skull Canyon doing zip lines and obstacle courses. We’re definitely going to be hungry after all that so we would make a stop at one of my favorite places to eat VegandGo. They have the best plant based burgers and sandwiches.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There have been many people I owe gratitude towards. But I’d like to give a this shoutout to my brother Omar. He started this journey with me and it has been rewarding for the both of us. Thanks for sticking by my side and being patient enough to understand my vision.

Website: GentlemensHairLounge.com

Instagram: GentlemensHairLounge

Image Credits
@PortraitsByJose