Conversations with Rodrick Samuels

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rodrick Samuels.  

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I starting cutting hair in my mother’s bathroom. Friends and family would let me practice on them as I didn’t know that this would be a hobby that I would later take and it would become my career. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Becoming a world-renowned educator and barber has not been an easy task. I have been met with temporary defeat a number of times, but my drive and determination to become one of the best reinstalled my relicense, and I continued to move forward. I have been turned down for several high-level position, lost my first business many years ago, but still kept moving, and having faith in my abilities that helped me get over those hard times. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a Subject Matter Expert in Barbering Education. I have created a fun way to get students and professionals to retain more information called ED-U-Tainment. This is an infusion of education and entertainment that makes classes and daily school work entertaining and not such a daunting task. I’m most proud of my award for Educator of the Year 2023 from the Professional Beauty Association. Being a Barber, juggling my family life and business has set me apart, but also, my love for the Barber Industry and my students is unmatched. 

What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory was going to the barbershop with my dad. We would get up early on Saturday mornings and sit there, which felt like hours so that we could get a haircut. Seeing the men in the shop and the conversations that they would have was amazing to me as a little boy. Getting an ice-cold Coke and a lollipop after my fair cut was what I looked forward to every time we visited. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hairlabdetroitbarberschool.com
• Instagram: @rodricksamuels
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rodrick.samuels
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodrick-samuels-34883010
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/rodricksam
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RodrickSamuels

Image Credits
The Professional Beauty Association
Paul Chavez Velez