The Chairmen | Rob the Barber

Every shop has a barber who understands that the job goes beyond the cut. Rob the Barber, also known as Renaissance Rob, is one of those barbers. Somewhere along the way, he realized that what he was doing had very little to do with vanity and everything to do with moments that mattered. Men do not just sit in his chair for a shape-up. They sit down before all of the most important moments in life. The haircut becomes part of how they show up in the world, and he takes that responsibility seriously.

1. When did you realize that cutting hair was more than just a skill?
   
   I realized cutting hair was more than just a skill when I saw that people depended on me to get them together for more than just vanity purposes. When people depend on you for job interviews, weddings, funerals, first dates etc. I was helping them with special times in their lives.
   
   
2. Who taught you the game?
   
   I was taught the so-called “game” by the Master barber I was an apprentice to, Isreal The Barber. He instilled in me to take pride in my work. Make sure I avail myself and be dependable. He would say to me after every cut I did “Are you proud of that?” Something that still echoes in my mind every cut.
   
   
3. What’s your approach when a client first sits in your chair?
   
   My approach and goal for anyone who sits in my chair is for the person to feel and look better about themselves when they leave my chair.
   
   
4. What’s the wildest conversation you’ve heard in the shop?
   
   The wildest conversation to date I’ve heard in the shop were two men bragging on the sexual conquest they had with the same woman. They didn’t know it was the same woman but I did.
   
   
5. Why is the barbershop still important today?
   
   The barbershop is still and will be important because that’s where many people have an opportunity to be still for a time out of their day and converse, rest, vent etc. Plus the barbershop is where you can get information about subjects that you may not otherwise receive in your everyday life.
   
   
6. What do young barbers get wrong?
   
   I think a lot of unseasoned barbers whether young or old get wrong about the craft is that they lose focus on the fact that your number one priority is quality work. Before all the social media and flashy things get those cuts top tier.
   
   
7. What’s your move outside the shop?
   
   My interests outside the shop are to create. To be creative.
   
   
8. What’s one mistake that men make with their grooming routine?
   
   One big mistake men make concerning grooming is proper maintenance between haircuts.
   
   
9. Music in the shop — old school or new school?
   
   Music in the shop should be a mix. Of different genres too.
   
   
10. One word that defines The SWAG Shop?
    
    FUTURE.