Nestled at the growing, thriving, retail, shopping, restaurant, and living district of Sanford Florida, lies the Classic Barber & Beard Co— a Gentlemen’s studio barbershop centered on masculine needs and taste.
“The Classic Barber Experience begins the moment you step into our barbershop,” says Marc A. Rivera, owner & artisan of the Classic Barber Experience who’s changing the narrative of “male grooming.”
“The smell - the decor ... will take you back to a time where caring about how your looks were part of being a man!”
When you first enter the Classic Barber & Beard Co in Sanford, Florida what you witness is a sense of familiarity and a friendly vibe.
It’s a space where shave and cut clients' queue for a reason. And that’s to receive a safe, one on one luxurious, and pampered service of quality; centered on the values and needs of the client.
“All of our services are tailored to provide a unique experience fit differently for each client. Just as no two clients are alike, neither are our experiences. We focus on the experience being truly unique.”
As many shops do the bare minimum within a days’ work, we go the extra mile by including “The Classic’s”—a great haircut, a warm towel, straight razor neck shaves followed by a pampered in chair shoulder massage...Our reviews can’t even express enough how well our clients are treated!
If that’s not an experience worth waiting for, then what is, you are tempted to ask yourself. Marc A Rivera, the owner of this barbershop has things figured out for his business and an unmatched client experience is something that he’s proud of. It isn’t surprising to see his clients adore his services.
“I have a three R system that I use to make sure my clients have an amazing service. I ensure that they are RELAXED so that they can have a pampered experience unmatched within my local area. The feeling of quality attracts four of our senses and aids the client in experiencing what I call, “REFRESHED" emotions which lead to their “REJUVENATION.”
His hard work reflects in the time and effort he takes to ensure that his clients achieve the best in service and it isn’t surprising that he recently won the Excellence in Experience Award in the solo barber category by Genbook.
So what changed after winning the award? We asked Marc.
“Before winning the award we were striving to prove the validity of our shop, now that we have won the award; my business model now has the backing and support of both the company & the consumer."
Having Genbook as an advocate for our business proves the validity of our shop; that we are providing a valuable & unmatched, remarkable experience! I’ve even noticed this has helped many new customers make an informed decision as to where they choose to be serviced.
It’s not common that individual barbers or barbershops have an award-winning experience & over 500 five-star reviews...especially on our side of the state! Being able to openly promote that we are award-winning because of the type of service that we deliver brings a great sense of pride in our work knowing that we are doing something right! “
But owning a successful barbershop business wasn’t on the cards until late in his life.
He had a passion for music at a young age and Marc spent the earlier part of his life trying his hand in the entertainment industry. He was the founder of the first R&B Record Label in Deltona Florida at 8th Sound Entertainment where he produced music and managed a few local artists.
“At that time the only way we could get exposure was to make noise about why we should be recognized. We attempted to pioneer what we see today on social media brand marketing toward our demographic or niche”.
“As the internet was just a baby then and social media hadn’t taken off as it has now, I had to build the brand in order to establish ourselves. This kind of “grassroots marketing” was exhausting, to say the least; while trying to juggle it all; and single-handedly raising a family. That’s what led to my burnout in the industry.”
He recalls a chat with a stranger at a park years ago and when asked what he would want to do when he grows up, Marc had said that he would continue on with his music. But if one day the music doesn't work out he will become a barber...he had said jokingly.
“The barbers in my town don't look like they're going hungry as their bellies were full”
“Every state is different and comes with its own weather conditions that can affect the condition of our hair, skin, or image. I inform customers on practical ways to enhance their image from brushing techniques to using our exclusive handmade beard products (@BornagainBeardco) to moisturize dry beard hair from humidity or weather conditions which play many factors in achieving their “best look”.
Men who work outdoors in Florida are at risk to get what we call crows feet or alligator skin which are more susceptible to cancer melanoma. It's important to offer and describe the importance of facial care and how monthly maintenance can be a safe preventative by taking advantage of additional services like exfoliation treatments & masks which have had an uprise in our industry.
I’ve learned, that’s what keeps them coming back...they feel the value of the service because I make them feel valued individually.”
“We all live such busy lives and for many of my clients, the only time they get to unwind is during their service! If I’m not going the extra mile, they won't go the distance with me. They need someone who cares about them and ensures that they feel like $100 bucks at the end of their service."
The future plan
Marc’s story is inspiring and he has some major plans for the future.
“I have several hopes but I’m taking them one at a time. Our barber culture could use more unity amongst colleagues and more local involvement; besides becoming a State Board Member, I hope to one day create a Central Florida’s Barber & Beard festival, which would have an array of different types of barber competitions and product & talent showcases within our area— just something to bring us all together and create a deeper culture within our small communities, but if it never happens I won't be disappointed as I’m still striving to provide the Best Solo Barber Experience in North America while sowing fruitful seeds for the kingdom; one haircut at a time!”
What’s the best thing about being your own boss and running a successful barbershop that’s loved by so many people? We asked him when signing off and he said:
“Grateful that I have the opportunity to live a life where I help inspire change and confidence within each client I serve! Grateful to be an inspiration to future studio or suite barbers who are just trying to find their own way in the industry. Grateful to be able to prosper by providing a service that is enjoyed by many patrons & clients alike. Grateful to be able to wake up and create art! As creators, we help people feel good about themselves! It's such a rewarding feeling to provide the clients God gave me; with a unique experience that can bring out the joy in their hearts and the confidence in their image.
That's The Classic Barber | Experience they're not going to find anywhere else as it’s uniquely our own & that’s what it's all about!
Keep your eyes peeled for more Genbook customers in our upcoming features and how these small business owners are building their businesses. And if you’re looking for a robust all-in-one online appointment scheduling software for barbershops that keeps your small business challenges at bay, and makes it run smoothly, sign up for a free trial and discover why thousands of similar businesses like Classic Barber & Beard Co. use Genbook to power their appointment bookings.
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