Meet Richard Theodore Stoutt II

Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard Theodore Stoutt II.

Theo, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My name is Richard Theodore Stoutt II, or “Theo,” as everyone calls me. I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. Growing up in Oregon was a blast – you got all four seasons, but mostly rain. I grew up playing a lot of sports; I surfed, skated, and snowboarded. Another great aspect of living in Oregon was that you could explore all around.

I also participated in numerous team sports. I became most passionate about basketball because of my dad’s side of the family. I’ve been playing since I can remember. I started in grade school and club teams and worked my way up to a scholarship at the collegiate level. After I was done playing basketball, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do in life. All I had known was basketball. So I ventured out and started to “enjoy the college side of things” – let’s say. As a college athlete, you couldn’t have a job because your schedule revolved around the sport. But, one day, my teammate asked me if I could give him a haircut after practice. Now, I was a long-haired, surfer rat and would shave my head just to grow it all out again. After that first haircut, I started to give other people haircuts out of my apartment. I then decided the college route was not for me. I knew I wanted to be a barber and expand my skills. I ended up deciding to move to Arizona to get out of the rain. I began looking to get licensed. I went to the barber schools out here, and asked myself “why focus on one thing when I could do it all?” It was then I found myself at Paul Mitchell The School of Phoenix. The owners of the school are Scott Cole and Linda Yodice who are one of the six main artists and stylists in the company. I knew I wanted to do more than just men’s cutting and wanted to do it all as a hairdresser. Paul Mitchell was very hard for me to learn the women’s side of styling and cutting and coloring but now I can say it’s something I am very strong at as well as men’s hair. After I graduated Paul Mitchell, I then assisted in Downtown Phoenix with Salvador Calvano who is a well-known stylist and photographer with his wife Patricia who has a lot of experience in the industry and is known for their work in New York fashion week and much more. Assisting for them was an amazing opportunity to get the salon studio feel in a professional and branding way. I then started to branch out and find what I wanted to be as a stylist knowing it starts behind the chair. I did work for a couple of corporate companies that I did not like being push to hit numbers and getting labeled as stylist. So I knew I wanted to branch out and make my business, my business, so then, I started the professional side and branding part of it. I wanted people to know me for me and I am here to make people happy and confident about themselves and being comfortable when they come into the shop. That is why I love this part of my job and it led me to renting side of salons. I then found a home downtown at public image salon where I could be the artist that I want to be and show my artistic side and style with the downtown vibes and culture.

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?
It’s been a wild ride for sure. Building a brand is hard it’s early mornings and long nights. And what you put into your business is defiantly what you get out of it. I would say I’m still trying to strive to get my business bigger and better in trends and my skill and the business side of it that’s what makes it fun and exciting. In hairdressing you do not just wake up and everything is ready to go you have to work just like anything to get where you want to be.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about your work – what should we know?
I like to tell people my business is chill. I love that people can come in, sit, and relax. I spend most appointments talking shop and life with my clients. I definitely love working with men’s’ hair because it’s how I began my career. Haircuts, in general, are my most booked service – male, female or kid. When it comes to color, I am very well known for the “lived-in” look. I pride myself in my ability to create natural, beachy balayages and blonding services. I have also been known to dabble in vivid color. Weddings and events have been a large part of my career as well. I have enjoyed working with both the brides’ and grooms’ parties. Through it all, I have stayed true to my style and personality – which isn’t something you always find in this industry.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I mean it comes down to the work. I take pride in the things I do to achieve the goals I set for myself.

Pricing:

• Men’s cut- 35 and above
• Men’s color- Start 55
• Women’s balayage- Start 175
• Women’s cut- Start 55
• Women’s all over color -100
• Under cuts- 25
• Styling- Start 55
• Beards -25

Contact Info:

• Address: Public Image- 333 East Roosevelt Street 114 Phoenix Az 85004
• Email: Theo51@live.com

Image Credit:
Jacob Hamilton

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