Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexander Gonzalez.
Alexander, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Ever since I was in my teenage years, I love the atmosphere that the shop’s life brings. The flexible hours, making a person look and feel better about themselves, Plus being able to get a fresh haircut whenever. At eighteen, I went to the beauty schools of America. It was by far some the best time in my life. Because of my hunger for hands-on learning and a passion to change the world through my haircuts, it leads me to cut the homeless and neighborHood youth, which gave me a strong foundation to my craft in no time. The one thing about learning to perfect your craft for sure, it’s finding the ” practice victims.” That when I hit the streets.
Once I graduated and got my license, I decided to utilize my master’s skills and give back to those who helped me get to confidence level I needed to succeed-the homeless. I started hosting events in the salvation army and the streets to anyone who wanted to learn. My class was called “Barber boot by Alex Gonzalez.” That was back in 2010. Now today, I’m the head barber of the Miami give back nonprofit. We host events for the homeless and less fortunate in Miami and surrounding areas. We are providing them with hair cuts, shaves, food, hygienic products, clothing, music, blood work, and showers. I was intrigued to join the movement when I saw one of my old friends and former barber students. @Ray_ur_barber, he was doing cuts for the homeless with a stylist and president of TMGB who coincidentally is now my life companion. @Beautybydaniella_. Our ambition to help others in need through our craft ultimately lead our love to blossom.
Our love and drive took it to the next level. We started as a team of three Tonsorial artists and a marketing director by the name of Shinzo Omega. We started with just a few chairs on the sidewalk to now. We are a registered nonprofit organization in South Florida. We also received an amazing sponsorship by Wahl clippers, lifestyle Miami, and natural essentials, a local company in Miami. The Miami give back has even had a chance to sit down with local commissioner Daniella Cava to try to further the mission. We’ve hosted over nine events, have cut over 2500 less fortunate of Miami, On the streets, Camillus house, Chapman and partnership, veterans homes, and at other Florida events. We now have multiple drops off locations for donations, as well as a devoted cooking team That provides home-cooked meals. We now even have a website and list of volunteer barbers and dedicated stylists. Our goal is to give them a day of no worries, with that “look good feel good” concept. Hair cut, clothes, smiles, and good time and most importantly to be treated as an equal.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
In the middle of my barber career, after the barber Bootcamp had run its course, I worked at the barbershop. I was doing well, charging a lot by suggestive selling, dressing nice, and teaching classes to a stylist in the salon. I was making money. Yet there was an empty void. I wanted more. Even with up-selling my clients, I still felt like I deserved more for the craft I had mastered so well, but because The passion for cutting had toned down, There was a void not being filled, and then it came to me, I had lost that initial drive from the beginning of Seeing my barber lessons create food for homes and the future for people. That’s the main reason I feel God had placed The Miami give back in my path of life. Once I started giving back, I found the void that needed filling and the “more “ I was searching for was fulfilled through changing lives by haircuts.
We’d love to hear more about your organization.
As the head barber of The Miami gives back, II provide hair services to the homeless, provide quality control to the event, as well as Making sure my volunteers produce good work while mentoring along the way. As public relations, my job is creating resources and sponsorship opportunities. Somewhat like an “event coordinator “ during the off-time at the shop, I do a lot of what I like to call “The phone work,” urging other organizations to check out the Miami give back, as well as meeting with companies trying to gain support and funding. Our homeless events tend to be larger and more like a “farmers market” atmosphere since we team up with other non-profits and locals that want to also help. We encourage anyone and everyone to join in and lend a hand. You never know who’s life you can be changing.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
At one of our monthly givebacks, one of my most expensive machines was stolen, the machine that use daily to bring money into my household. I’ll be honest, I was so angry, I almost shut down the whole event and made a fool of myself. But because we had so many different vendors and even a local music artist Don Cuba there, I had to keep my cool. Later that night, still upset Daniella and I was discussing a different solution to the problem, contact big-name clipper companies to see if anyone could help. Out of all the names contacted to our surprise, a huge name company WAHL responded back in full support and quickly sent us ten sets of everything possible to cut hair! So not only were my stolen clippers replaced, all the volunteers could leave their work supplies at home and still participate in the monthly givebacks! It was a true blessing.
Pricing:
- 40 Cuts (come with shampoo)
- 55 Cut and beard
- 70 Cut with hot towel
- 15 Black mask
- 15 Eyebrows, ear, or nose wax
- 10 Dollar shampoo
Contact Info:
- Website: themiamigiveback.com
- Phone: 3058899637
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: oso_fresh
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