Today we’d like to introduce you to Oscar Cooper.
Hi Oscar, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
“It seems like it was yesterday, The smell of hydrogen peroxide, my mom unwrapping rods out of her client’s hair at 1:00 am, and us as kids, helping her clean up. That was my every day. Since then, I have shared the same love and respect for this amazing industry as my mother once taught me”. My family immigrated to the US when I was only 10 years old, so you could say I am Living my American Dream. I mostly grew up in Richfield, MN, but I currently call DownTown Minneapolis home. In 2008, I graduated from the Minnesota School of Barbering (MSB) with my barbering license. In addition, as of May 2022, I furthered my studies and completed my Instructor license for the state of Minnesota. Upon graduation from barber school, I helped my mother open her Hair Studio, and We worked together for over 10 years. This opportunity helped my entire family enormously. I have worked in a different range of barbershops. I have done TV for a local channel to help people with hair tips; Runway show’s in Miami when I lived there. I have also worked for @ ALOXXI hair color brand as a representative for the Midwest. I love to help with social events by providing free services and donating to local charities.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a smooth road?
In 2018, I opened El Teca Barbershop before Covid -19 pandemic. Little was I to know how such an event would impede my ability to grow my business and future aspirations further upon the Governor’s order to shut down all of our business operations. I had no choice but to work in a supermarket (Lunds and Byerly’s). My mother was hospitalized with a massive heart attack with a slow recovery days after the shutdown, so I knew I had to help my mom and family because every store was running out of food and essentials, and I had to act fast. I tried hard to get loans or government assistance (grands), but was denied all of them. I was in debt with over 20,000 dollars due to my personal and business expenses and piling up with no way to stop it. After a few months, we were able to reopen the barbershop with many restrictions and not enough to cover the expenses. I was ready to give up a board of directors for the Chamber of Commerce in Big Lake, Mn. My teammates forwarded me the information that was provided by the city at that time. I applied for the grant at Sherburne County, where they could help me with 16,000 Dollars to cover the loss of income and bills. “My god, I was so grateful to be able to cover part of my debt.” I was ready to fight and keep my doors open. I was ready to overcome this ever-lasting obstacle with hard work and managing all the money I could gather with the barbershop sales. Thankfully, all of my knowledge in the industry helped me apply strong methods of sanitation and disinfection to protect my customers from Covid -19 and keep my doors open.
We’ve been impressed with El Teca Barbershop, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I provide Hair services for the entire family with no exceptions on hair texture, length, or style.
Traditional barbering and Urban Barbering:
-Hair Cutting for all Textures & Ages
-Hair Color
-Beard tints,
-Beard trims and straight razor shaves with hot towel service
-Hair Tattoos (Hair designs)
– Brow wax or blade shaping
-Hydrating/exfoliating Facial
-I am also adding micro pigmentation on the scalp and hair pieces.
What changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
If there’s anything more I love than making someone happy by giving them a top-notch trim, it’s teaching others to master a trade and find their success. The practice is very nuanced regarding customer care, techniques, and, most importantly, how to run a business properly. All these aspects are valuable takeaways when studying such a program and are often overlooked by your typical barbering and cosmetology institutions. I am working towards becoming a renowned instructor by opening my OWN Barber School. Covid -19 allowed me to expand my horizons by understanding the importance of hygiene in our establishments. I am traveling the United States and other countries to ensure I can provide the highest education standards in my industry. My goal is to open the first Latin Barber school in the State of Minnesota. I ensure that Older individuals and people with mental and physical disabilities get free services. Also, providing the best education and services one can get to ensure immediate results. Making strong, educated, and kind Barbers can fight any obstacle, just like Covid -19.
Contact Info:
- Website: eltecabarbershop.com
- Instagram: instagram/ eltecabarbershop
- Facebook: Facebook / eltecabarbershop
Image Credits
Emily Witt /Face Shoots Oscar Cooper/ My parents working together Oscar Cooper / Logo Oscar Cooper / Barber expo in Connecticut Oscar Cooper /working at my mom’s barbershop Oscar Cooper / Aloxxi @ Hair Color Seminar Oscar Cooper/ First Picture of Teca Barbershop
