March 26, 2020

Meet Nick Rodgers of Arizona Haircutters in Arcadia

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Rodgers.

Nick, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
About six years ago, I found myself becoming super bored, unhappy, Unfulfilled and stuck in a job and lifestyle that was taking me nowhere very quickly. I knew I wanted to do something artistic, without people breathing down my neck but also something to help people out and make them feel good about themselves.

To make a long story short, within a year, I was enrolled and going to beauty school at the Toni&Guy Academy in Scottsdale. The year after I graduated I became a licensed cosmetologist and I went on to do advanced training to become a haircut/style specialist for T&G, place In the top 3 at the 2017 Toni&Guy photographic awards (pro men’s cut category) was working backstage at Phoenix Fashion Week, and had started cutting hair on the side for musicians in different tours passing through AZ. I left Toni&Guy to come work in Phoenix and ended up at my current home in Arcadia called SALON JOEL.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not. I thought that being from Arizona and knowing a lot of people would guarantee me a quick clientele and I couldn’t have been more wrong. I definitely had to prove myself and I continue to have to prove myself in order to make sure that my books are full and the money is coming in. I also did as much as I could to become the best I was able to be at my craft. I still don’t know everything and I’m still learning as much as I can as often as possible. Nothing is going to just walk up and fall in your lap unless you’re one of those very very few people who get a break that way. To be successful in this industry, you cannot be lazy and you must hustle. Even if you dont have that hustle bone in your body, you need To get out there and take chances and make your own luck, I learned that very quickly once I started to live around a little bit and try to find the right salon.

Please tell us more about your work. What do you do? What do you specialize in? What sets you apart from competition?
So I am an independent hairdresser specializing in hair cutting and styling. (I also provide color services). I’m known for my precision, knowledge and advanced cutting and styling techniques for all types of both men’s and women’s hair.

The thing I’m most proud of is my consistency, my education and drive. I think what sets me apart is being able to stand in someone else’s shoes, whether it’s to understand how my client wants to wear their hair or to be able to listen, comprehend and make sure that every client is relaxed and trusts me. I take pride in coming from a life full of ups and downs and being able to take all of my life experience, Whether it’s behind the chair or not and relate to a wide variety of people.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Respect & Building my clientele. I could sit and talk about All the cool people I’ve met and worked with or being backstage cutting hair for bands and getting the rockstar treatment and things like that but ultimately, what I’m most proud of is the building my clientele and being able to provide for my family. The fact that people trust me and keep coming back to me, especially when they’re referring people to me is such an amazing thing. I’m very thankful for my clients and for anyone who’s ever given me a chance.

Pricing:

Men’s/short haircuts: 40+
Women’s/long haircuts: 65+
Balayage: 160+

Contact Info:

Address: 4118 E Indian School Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85018
Phone: (480) 994-5635 (Call or text for booking)
Email: nicolas.r.rodgers@gmail.com
Instagram: @nickispissed
Other: @arizonahaircutters

Image Credit:
Taylor Oulette

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