Meet Sebastian Alvarez | Master Groomer-Waymaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sebastian Alvarez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sebastian, what do you attribute your success to?
The people around me! Hands down! I preach keeping the personal circle TIGHT! Everyone does not deserve the energy, and that is okay. Find your balance, because let us be honest, life will definitely throw you tomatoes. The cool thing about that is that those close-knit people will teach you how to dodge them when they are being thrown. The small lessons help me progress by just simply listening and understanding what choices make sense and those that do not. Yes, I believe there is no perfect situation but I do believe there is work that can be done so that your flow is efficient, I also hold myself accountable for the mistakes that I make by either misjudging or not paying enough attention. My mentor tells me “your only as good as your last haircut”, and that statement applies to everything in life. All of these topics have chiseled me to be a growing success I am flourishing to be.

“Sometimes you win and sometimes you learn”
Robert T Kiyosaki.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Master Groomer-Waymaker

What sets me apart from the average barber is my vision. I do not cut hair for the gentlemen in my chair. Nope not at all. I cut hair for their fans! It is all for their families, followers, girlfriends, “the boys”, the wives, and everyone and everything else that is out there!

What drives me? Well, barbering is bigger than just one specific artform. Barbering is sculpting, it is music, theatre and even dance. Barbering is listening to Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony #5 and feeling the strike of each cord from the string instruments! Its ballroom dance at its purest form! It is Michelle Kwan on ice skates! Barbering is when you are in the car and your friend play March Madness by Future! That thought process is what separates me! That is what is exciting about it!

I am most proud of the fact that every day I’m evolving into someone that I’ve personally foreseen for quite some time now. I’m watching all my seeds grow and it can be a tad overwhelming at times, but of course, I hold my composure. I got where am at today by simply listening and following a system that was built for cutters like myself to be successful! No! By no means is this easy! I hold myself accountable and I keep the movement forward. Always! One motion! One rhythm! One day at a time! I have prioritized this structure in my day’s routine to become this modern success. 

I handle most challenges head-on. Fear is temporary. Like anything ,I feel my biggest lesson was just staying on course, and remaining on that course. A huge challenge I feel cutters run into is ignoring the distortion society puts behind us. Cutters are the pivot point to everything in life, and that gets discombobulated with how social media perceives the image to be. What I/We do is not easy by no means. Being able to assimilate lives and piles of information for 8 to 10 hours a day is a feat. Saying that, for my own mental health I have learned that compartmentalizing information is extremely detrimental. Cutters are family! We are as involved as a mother or father in most of our client relationships, on the flip side to that, client are challenges that keep challenging not just behind the chair but in all fields of work. I’ve learned to adjust and accept the path this occupation is giving me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Now I am not from Atlanta If I do not start with where I am going for wings. The best place in the city, Elbow Room. Yes, I said it. The city’s best wing spot and Elbow Room all in the same sentence! Someone might add, “well what makes them the best?” The mastery behind these chicken wings is far past what the mind can endure. Here is why. I am ordering 12 of these bad boys, but I am splitting his “wingery experience” for extra pizzazz! I need 6 tossed (very important) mild lemon pepper wet and 6 lemon pepper teriyaki or what we call at GROOMED Atlanta “lemon-aki” and if I am opting for a side, I am going with their seasoned fries. Unfortunately, I will not be participating in the peach drink, sorry guys! I need crushed ice, lemonade and sweet-tea in my Styrofoam cup! Something about this combination makes the hairs on my arms stand up!

Breakfast options, now there is one place I rave about for great coffee and authentic food. That place is Cubanos ATL in Roswell/Sandy Springs. If you want to escape the city for a little bit before a hike in the north GA mountain trails, this is the spot! Their Cuban sandwich and fresh roasted cafe con leche will put you right in Little Havanna! I promise it! There are also two additional restaurants that I will give the readers, Ms. Icey’s Kitchen in Decatur, and if you can grab a sit at La Petite Marche in Kirkwood, you are in a solid spot. I could fill this interview with amazing breakfast spots from all ethnic backgrounds, but I do not want to ruin the experiences. Atlanta has a vast breakfast/brunch scene.

Now where for lunch, happy hour, drinks, or late lunch visit?  The first place I always recommend is Ponce City Market. Why? Outside of the amount of food and drink options it has, the beltline is attached where there is also a slew of places to go stuff your face at. One of the coolest amenities in PCM is the service elevator to the rooftop. This gives you access to an amazing view of the city skyline; you can grab food at 9 Mile station, play mini golf, and grab a drink at “12”. Now, from the beltline you can hop on a scooter, or bike and practically hop to Krog Street Market, which is a smaller food hall or to the Atlanta Zoo. The Atlanta Beltline also offers loads of city parks with different views of Atlanta’s terrain. The readers are probably wondering “what about the steakhouses, whole in the walls and other food options? My current list goes as followed; Marcels, Gio’s, Dixie Q, Anticos, Storico Forza, Little Trouble, St. Ceclia, Sweetwater Brewery, Bone Yard, Nuevo Laredo. I honestly cannot say I have a TRUE favorite but you can catch me casually at Spaceman or The Red Phone Booth in Buckhead decompressing. (laughter)

For some cool experiences Atlanta and her festivals can be quite the trip! Atlanta had two whole festivals dedicated to brunch and grill cheese. Where can those ever go wrong with those two? Atlanta offers everything! Many people here forget but one piece of the city that is world renowned is the High Musuem. Their collections consistently appeal to the masses, and they give back to the city every 2 Sundays at no cost to visit the museum. If you’re looking for a dope photo op, the High is the place. Now if there is some time to get sloppy, take a ride out to The Battery in Marietta. This is the home of the Atlanta Braves. The battery compliments the city well because you can also eat, drink, play games, go see shows, shop, name it, The Battery has it. Watching baseball at The Battery is most definitely an experience for out of towners.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
That list is eternally long for me! My neanderthal stage in life was far dense. I come from a background of “taking it under the chin” and keeping it moving. The true meaning of character was taught to me at a very young age. My family has always been my biggest support group. As a kid, watching a multiracial family bind and develop also taught me what success and failures look like. Those successes and failures taught me accountability and what it takes to take on TRUE mentorship. It was super important for me to have a strong mentor. I believe strong mentors play a role in every story. Not just mine.   I am eternally grateful for my family, friends, clients, and for those that said this would never happen. I thank them daily!

 If I have to narrow it down to one person who has taken me under their wing, and is showing me the ropes of business, well his name is Kevin Dunn. What made me flip the switch? Well, watching the effort he puts into other people before himself. That is monumental for me because that’s one of those things my parents taught me. Be self-less not selfish. This is my guy! I am most definitely jumping in the foxhole with this brother! Call it a bromance, but I am forever in debt to this gentleman. Not only is the business side of barbering being taught to me, but being able to move righteously as a man in the industry.

One of the most valuable things he is teaching me is the meaning of systems, and why they are designed to fail and correct, including having an open mind and observing all the angles during observations. He is also teaching me what REAL leadership is. I have been able to pick up so many pieces along this journey I am currently on. The versatility that I am acquiring is all a growing seed from his watering guidance. For that I am forever grateful.

There is one book I always recommend for people to read. It is Marc Ecko’s “Selling You Without Selling Out”. Till this day it still sticks out and is very relevant to literally everything good and bad in business today. Pick it up if you have not!

-Thank you Voyage

Your friendly neighborhood cutter..

Website: Groomedatl.com

Instagram: @papi_dont_play @thegroomtician

Facebook: Sebastian Alvarez

Image Credits
@david_slocumb_ photography @madisonvictoriamedia @therealjasoh