Today we’d like to introduce you to Shane Johnson.
Hi Shane, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
From Basement Burner to Barber Brand: The Level Headed Story
I’ve been cutting hair since 2008, but the seeds were planted way earlier. My mom was a barber, and I grew up watching her hustle. I spent my childhood surrounded by the smell of clippers and the shelves full of styling products. I was obsessed with them—the jars, the textures, the way they could shape a look and someone’s whole vibe.
By 2017, I had two kids, a packed schedule, and zero free time—but I couldn’t shake the frustration I felt using products full of mystery chemicals. I kept asking myself: What am I putting in people’s hair? That question wouldn’t let go. I didn’t want to rely on guesses—I wanted control. So I started making my own.
I burned through money on ingredients that separated, tools that broke, tins that dented or didn’t seal right. Some batches went straight into the trash. I wrecked pans, floors, and expectations. I’d be dead tired after a full day cutting, and still find myself in the basement at 11pm, tweaking another formula, taking another shot. I didn’t have time—I made time.
Fast forward: two kids turned into four, and failure turned into formula. By January 2019, after countless do-overs and late nights, I finally had a product I could stand behind. Something clean. Something real. Something made by a barber who knows what the finish should feel like—not just what it looks like.
Level Headed isn’t just a brand—it’s a product born out of necessity, raised on grit, and tested behind the chair every single day.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting my product line wasn’t some clean, overnight success—it was chaos. I wasted hundreds of dollars on ingredients that didn’t mix, containers that leaked, tools that broke, and formulas that fell apart the next day. I had two kids at the time, barely any time to spare, but I’d be back in the basement at midnight—boiling, blending, and starting over. Every success was paid for with late nights, burnt-out equipment, and frustration. Now I’ve got four kids, a full shop, and a product I built through nothing but obsession and sheer determination.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Level Headed Barber?
Level Headed Barber isn’t your average barbershop—it’s a movement. From the moment you walk in, you’ll notice we do things differently. The atmosphere is sharp but relaxed, the kind of place where the craftsmanship matters and the conversation flows—sometimes with a drink in hand from our in-shop bar. Every detail is intentional, from the cut to the finish, down to the fact that we use our own handcrafted product line, made right here by a barber who lives and breathes this industry. Nothing comes off the shelf unless it’s been tested, refined, and proven to elevate the final result.
But Level Headed isn’t just about great haircuts—it’s about building something bigger. After years of chasing perfection behind the chair, I’ve started teaching others to do the same. This is the beginning of a new chapter: a place where aspiring barbers don’t just learn to cut—they learn to create, think independently, and develop the discipline to build something real. Whether it’s mastering a fade or formulating product, Level Headed is where passion meets precision—and where the next generation of barbers is being forged.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The qualities that have been most important to my success are grit, curiosity, and discipline. I’ve had to push through late nights, failed batches, wasted money, and a schedule that never really had room for anything extra. But I made time anyway—because I had a vision and I wasn’t willing to cut corners. I’ve always been driven by a need to understand how things work, whether it’s mastering a haircut or breaking down the ingredients in a styling product.
I hold myself to a high standard, and I built Level Headed around that mindset. From the barbershop to the product line, I want everything I put my name on to reflect care, skill, and intention. And now, I’m teaching others to do the same. I don’t just want to create great barbers—I want to help them build careers, confidence, and something they can be proud of.
Pricing:
- Pomade – $25
- Haircut – $30
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Levelheadedpomade.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/levelheadedpomade
