Today we’d like to introduce you to Derek Lynch.
Derek, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started cutting hair right out of high school, attending the Aveda Institute in Ann Arbor, MI. I worked in an Aveda retail store part-time whilst going to school full time. I think that’s where I started to gain such a respect for hair care and skin care and the importance of both to our health.
After a few years working in Michigan, I moved back to Chicago, where I was originally from. I worked in high-end Aveda salons for several years and came to the conclusion that I really only enjoyed men’s grooming. I always had a very strong men’s clientele in the salon, my days that were all men’s haircuts were my favorite days where I was my happiest, so I decided to transition into barbering.
It’s a shame that when I went to school in 2006 barbering or barbershops wasn’t what it is today. Barbering wasn’t really an option given to me, so I was told if I wanted to cut hair as a career I needed to be in a salon. I really appreciate the education and opportunities I got within the Aveda community. That experience has definitely contributed to what we are trying to achieve with Rosemont.
I then worked for a corporate barbershop in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago for a few years before moving to Denver. I’m not going to sit here and bad mouth my experience there. I was fortunate to work with some amazing barbers that helped me understand clipper work and how to fade/taper. In return, I thought them shear techniques, how to cut longer men’s hair and texturing techniques. I worked beside some of my closest friends at the time and had a great support system to improve all of our talents.
I moved to Denver four years ago now. I made the switch to the independent shop world and never looked back. I think my midwestern work ethic helped a bunch. I learned an entirely new side to the hair industry and more specifically barbering. I feel like I’ve continued to improve and learn new things every day. I’ve been so fortunate to work next to awesome friends and talented barbers in Denver. I was able to learn a lot of the Denver clientele, and work works/doesn’t work for certain businesses which has all helped me make smarter delicious for my own business.
I’ve seen a lot of different sides of the hair industry/retail industry throughout my career. All of that experience, both good and bad, has prepared me to open Rosemont Barbershop & Grooming Supply. I waited until I felt entirely prepared to execute a vision I had on how to bright what I felt was the best mixture of my experience into one new shop. The idea was never to just “open a barbershop” in Denver but to create something unique and special for clients and customers but also my best friends I work with every day.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Struggles happen, opening a small business is always difficult, some more than others. There were plenty of delays, setbacks, miscommunications, arguments, and more. It’s all a learning experience and the more you go through only makes you smarter for the future.
It has all made me grow as a person. I’ve learned a lot about humility, and especially patience. It’s a lot easier said than done, figuring out when to be stubborn for the sake of your vision, and when to be flexible for the sake of your staff. It’s been a wild road and I’ve gained so much knowledge through the process.
Rosemont Barbershop & Grooming Supply – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are a four-chair barbershop and grooming supply store. We carry everything from haircare, styling products, skincare, beard care, shave goods as well as hardware like razors, combs, shave brushes and bowls. We have anything and everything to keep our customers looking great at home between haircuts and shaves.
I wouldn’t say we specialize in any one thing, we try to be as well rounded as possible from our services to our retail selection. Everyone is welcome in the shop and we try our hardest to cater to anyone that comes in.
One thing I’m incredibly proud of is the standard of quality both behind the chair as well as the retail selection. We have four barbers that all may excel at one thing or another, but we try to be as well rounded as possible. Meaning you’re in great hands no matter who you see. We take great pride in our quality of service and consistency. We work as a tight-knit team that helps one another, shares our approach and experience so that we can grow our talents as well as professionally.
I think our attention to detail within the business sets us apart. There are some amazing barbers and barbershops in Denver. We aren’t reinventing the wheel, just trying to execute a certain vision of mine and putting in 110% effort every day to achieve it.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success by overall happiness. I also think the day you’re content is the day you start to fail. Every day I wake up and try to improve myself, my barbering, and my business to make it better than I was yesterday. Knowing I have room to grow and be better, and doing whatever it takes to keep striving to be better to me is the ultimate success.
Pricing:
- Haircuts $40
- Shaves $45-$60
- Beard trim $20
Contact Info:
- Address: Free Market
1801 Blake St Ste 100
Denver, CO 80202 - Website: Rosemontbarbershop.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @Rosemontbarbershop
Image Credit:
Connor Robertson @conrobphoto
Zachary Gutierrez @zacharygutierrez
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