Today we’d like to introduce you to David Rodriguez.
Hi David, can you introduce yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Growing up, I could not afford haircuts, which lowered my self-esteem. When I started junior high, I decided to cut my hair, friends, and family, and then I made it a career. I’ve spent 18 years as a professional barber improving every individual’s mental wellness that I gave a haircut to. If anyone knows the power and impact of a professional haircut, it’s me. In 2022, I kept seeing Kyle Parker, our (Founder/CEO) promote an organization called ClipDart on Instagram. Once I saw Arizona on the title, I reached out to ClipDart, got a hold of Kyle, and set up a Zoom meeting. The rest is history. I joined ClipDart on February 7th, 2022, while they were on a giveback tour. After an exciting 6 months of dedication and willingness to learn, I was promoted to AZ barber team lead in August 2022. Then, as I continued to improve and grow, I got promoted to Chief Strategy Officer in December 2023. Since starting my new position, not only have I improved my community’s mental wellness, but I have also improved mine by receiving such positive and impactful feedback.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
ClipDart is an innovative organization at the forefront of this mission and the movement, which has presented many challenges.
- First, we explaining mission of improving mental wellness via selfless mobile barbers and hairstylists to other human service organizations and businesses. We now know that haircare is a basic necessity that, if ignored, can be detrimental to one’s health. There’s no other organization doing what ClipDart does, period!
- Second, we want our neighbors in need and the community to trust us as professional barbers and stylists. Most people are worried about hair professionals’ expertise before giving a haircut, so being consistent and skillful helps build trust.
- Third, sometimes, seeing the struggle of others can hurt one’s self. It’s a realization that only some have the necessities in life. Haircuts are getting more and more expensive, and homelessness is continuously increasing. Not having that basic need is hard to ignore.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
ClipDart is a Two-Pillar Organization. Our nonprofit, ClipDart Giveback, allows us to partner with other human service organizations to provide our neighbors in need with free and frequent haircut sessions. ClipDart Inc. will enable us to partner with multiple businesses, such as colleges and universities, conventions and events, hospitals and senior centers, nursing homes, and K-12 schools.
- OUR MISSION is to improve mental wellness via selfless, mobile barbers and hairstylists.
- OUR VISION is a world where no one has to worry about looking their best and where their next haircut comes from. When you think of (Free, On-site, Mobile, or Professional Haircuts), you feel about ClipDart.
- OUR MOTTO is improving mental wellness one mobile haircut at a time
ClipDart was created in 2016 as an on-demand mobile barber app. It was set to launch on March 15, 2020, but COVID happened. While everything was shut down, ClipDart decided to go business to business, and from 2020-2022, we started giving free haircuts to our neighbors in need. We were showing the state how essential mobile barbers are to the community. ClipDart is Arizona’s first hair care organization to receive a county grant! ClipDart was awarded a Grant in April 2023 by the Maricopa County Department of Public Health to provide free monthly hair care services to 15 different Maricopa County senior centers until May 2024. Our first event was on June 7, 2023. Since the ClipDart giveback was created, We have given over 10,000 free on-site haircuts and over 4,000 hours of haircutting in 25 states, with over 100 partners and over 100 active hair professionals.
We have been on the Radio:
-Mega 104.3’s Community circle, 101.1 the bounce, KTAR, and RADIOX
The News:
-3TV, FOX10, ABC15, and Cronkite News
TV Shows:
-Good morning sunshine, Arizona Horizon
PODCAST
-Barber VUE TV, The Barber Block, and Geek Network
Magazines and Newspapers:
-Phoenix NewTimes, Arizona Republic, and The State Press(ASU) are just a few.
We now know that care is a basic necessity, and by providing free monthly haircuts to the people who need them the most, we can fulfill the needs of our historically marginalized and underserved communities. Our innovative organization is significantly improving Arizona’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and culture. Thank you for being an integral part of revolutionizing the hair industry and the state of Arizona!
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Patience is key! We must always be patient with the communities we serve, the human service organizations, and the businesses. We must understand that each person and organization has a specific and different process of accomplishing their mission. What’s meant for ClipDart will reveal itself with time.
Contact Info:
- Website: ClipDart.com
- Instagram: azclipdartcares
- Facebook: ClipDart
- Linkedin: ClipDart
- Twitter: azclipdartcares
- Youtube: ClipDart
