Rising Stars: Meet Domenico Cicirello

Today we’d like to introduce you to Domenico Cicirello.

Hi Domenico, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hello. I’m 19 years old and this is my story. I was born in a small town in Italy called Nettuno, my mother, single and alone with a baby, came over to the United States in hopes for a fresh start at life. Growing up I got into the wrong crowd and was trying too hard to be a person I wasn’t and I just dug myself a deep hole.

I was in and out of detention centers, hospitals, rehabs all at the age of 14, I ended up getting thrown in DCS custody (Department of Child Safety) and was put into multiple group homes/shelters. I was still lashing out and acting reckless it had gotten to the point to where deportation was an option to go live with my biological father who I’ve never met before if my behavior still continued.

I remember staying in a group home and I was in a conference call with a bunch of people working for the state and they wanted to put me into the last chance program called Canyon State Academy, I was so furious with the option they chose I was ready to run away from my problems once again, I sat on the bed and just felt how tired I was of running away from all my problems.

It was time to face my consequences. They sent me to Canyon State where I spent a year at, while my stay there I noticed that there was a barber school that you could attend while you are there to obtain your license. I decided to sign up, I knew it was gonna be hard for me to find a job in the future- knowing my past so why not get a trait that I can take anywhere I go? The first year of cutting hair was difficult and I wasn’t the best in my class but I had dedication and knew I was there for myself. I ended being the only person to graduate barber school in my class. I ended up cutting at multiple small town shops all over the small town I lived at.

At 17, I decided it was time to start chasing my dreams and pursue this talent I have and I went to the big city with my girlfriend. Around the time, she and I began our adventure into Phoenix, this local creative space found me on social media and asked me if I wanted to be a stylist at the suite they had opened. I walked into this place and immediately knew this was for me, it was a barbershop, tattoo shop, recording studio, graphic design, photography, custom art; the best part was all people who wanted to grow and become better at their craft, there’s only positivity and good vibes in that building and it’s amazing! I still cut hair there today as the head barber to spread light and positivity to my clients. Its a different feeling when you’re passionate about your work, it feels like a vacation every day.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been an easy journey but it has been a memorable one. When I came out to the Lighthouse Studios in Downtown Phoenix I didn’t know anyone out in the area- I had no clientele, no friends or family. I just had my girlfriend with me, so I had to build my clientele from the ground up. I was doing everything from passing out business cards while skating through downtown to promoting my posts on Instagram and slowly but surely the clients started rolling in. The hardest but most rewarding piece was the waiting time and trusting the process that my little steps every day would bring me to where I am today.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I see my work as a form of artwork. It’s the best feeling to see the transformations I do every day and seeing the smile on their face and how good they feel, which makes me love what I do. I’ve been known for doing quite a few things but the most relevant currently I’d have to say is Tiktok, people are always coming in to check the place out from seeing me in their feed. I have an extreme ambition to be outrageously successful and I will not settle for less. I feel like my ambition and the way I push myself every day is the sole reason I’m where I am today and is what sets me apart to get to where I want to be.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I see the barbering industry going up extremely. I feel like it’s almost become a trend; everybody loves the flashy hair, the cool designs and overall feeling good about themselves! Everyone is trying to learn how to cut hair and we have huge influencers that are barbers, which is a first in history!

With the industry being in a spotlight, I see myself being an influencer and inspiring people not only to cut hair but to do what they love. I’m extremely excited to see where this industry goes in the next couple years and how it will impact my journey!

Pricing:

• Haircut: $25
• Beard trim: $15
• Hair and beard: $35
• The Lighthouse special: $45
• Shampoo 10$

Contact Info:

• Email: Notheaveragebarber@gmail.com
• Website: https://the-lighthouse-creative-studios.square.site/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/not_the_average_barber
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@not_the_average_barber

Image Credits
@not_the_average_barber
@theyellowboy
@serenitylaboricua