Check Out Chas Martinez’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chas Martinez & Lauryn Williams.  Their story below.

Chas a gal from TN and Lauryn a gal from TX, met in Nashville over vintage and barbering. Chas and Lauryn both took cosmetology hours in high school. It was kind of an easy way to get into the field and support us right out of high school. It has paved the way to a great way of life. Being able to have a great work-life balance and provide that for others, is important to us. We are a female-owned barbershop in Durango, Co. Bucks Parlor is a new small business, we opened our doors in March of 2021. Found a location and became an LLC in October 2020. We’ve been working on this business since 2019, and owning our own shop has been a dream for much longer. We strive to be the neighborhood barbershop. An upbeat, affordable place for locals, families, and college students to get a killer haircut. We are a great place for not only transient clients but also stylists. We love having traveling stylists come in and work. This is great way to make money if you’re interested in visiting Durango. Our shop isn’t priced by gender,  but based on the length of your current style. Part of the problem we are solving is offering a place to get a haircut day of, ya know, the days you wake up and just need a haircut… we are here on those days. Most shops in town are appointment only. We don’t take appointments, just walk-ins or call ahead up to an hour to get added onto our waitlist.  This business model is unique, but we are qualified for this style of shop to work! We have helped similar shops grow multiple locations and employ dozens. Another problem we are solving is year-round employment. Being in a tourist town most work is seasonal. We offer flexible schedules, a living wage, and room for growth year-round.

Developing a great work environment is another way we are unique & successful. While managing other shops, we’ve found being profitable is about client retention. It’s not just by giving great haircuts and a free local beer. We’ve found what keeps clients coming back is sitting in a stylist’s chair who loves their job and making the shop a fun environment, and executes whatever style the client wants. We offer local perks to guests and staff. We’re working with local businesses to offer employee discounts for service industry folks, monthly health, and wellness stipend, and free continuing education. We have space to showcase local artists and host block parties with local bands and vendors. We are working with the Women’s Center to host clothing drives and haircuts for individuals looking for employment. We are most proud of opening during a pandemic and really doing something with this dream we’ve had for so long.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Well, opening during a pandemic had some hoops to jump through, to say the least. Adding to Durangos’ work vibe is a hustle for the next adventure, go on said adventure, come back repeatedly. Employment has been the hardest. We are a busy busy shop and could use like 5 more stylists. Haha. Denver folks wanna come down to Durango?

So grateful for who we have and for the community accepting us! The new culture these days has also been something new to navigate. The woke culture, understanding new terms and all that goes into that has been tough, but we are doing it! Doing it well, I’d say.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We are a walk-in barbershop. We are filling a need in the Durango area, a place that charges folks based on the length of their hair and not their gender! Other shops have been catching on and also charging this way. Let’s keep this trend!

It makes the most sense to us and we love making folks feel valued. It is also extremely important to us to create a balance of work and life. Makes a huge difference in our lifestyle & the gals who work in the shop!

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
It’ll never go how you vision it, but it will always go how it should. Do it, even when it seems impossible!

Pricing:

• Short cut $35+
• Long cut $40+
• Buckaroo $30

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bucksdurango.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/bucksdurango
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/bucksdurang 

Image Credits
Chas Martinez and Julia Ion @madebyhowdy