Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephen Trachsel.
Hi Stephen, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started working at my shop as an employee in 2001. I bought the shop in 2007. The shop had been owned by the Ege family for 58 years. I am the first to own it outside of the original family.
I was a youth pastor when I began my barbering career. I chose barbering as it was a flexible career while balancing my ministry and family. I have now been sole proprietor of the Barber Pole for 15 years and I am also senior pastor at my church in Clawson Michigan
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Owning the shop has not always been easy. I bought the shop in 2007 during the time that we experiences the great recession here in Michigan. That time was hard on everyone including our customers. We had several good families moving down south for work, that was hard to see.
A few years ago, we suffered a small fire in the back of the shop luckily no major damage was done. The fire department broke through the front door and doused everything with water. Thankfully we were only closed for one day for that event.
And perhaps the greatest struggle that we faced along with everyone else was Covid. Our shop was shut down for three months, this was perhaps the lowest time for us as a barbershop. We have since bounced back from Covid, we have rearranged a few things and now business is great.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Our barbershop is a true historic landmark in Birmingham. We have been in business for over 70 years, so history is definitely on our side. We stick with the basic men’s haircuts and straight razor shaves nothing over the top no coloring, no highlights, no waxing, just very good haircuts, and shaves.
We are true neighborhood barbershop with really good people as our barbers.
I am probably the most proud of the fact that we have kept the same down-home historic feel in our shop that has always been there since 1949
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
We usually work with families that are involved with fundraisers around the area. We offer free services and products. In return, these families continue to frequent us and tell their friends and family about us. Word of mouth is our biggest promotion!
Pricing:
- Classic Haircuts 30
- Buzzcut 20
- Straight shave 40
- Neck trim 10
- Whining 1,000,000
Contact Info:
- Email: Info@thebarberpolebirmingham.com
- Website: Thebarberpolebirmingham.com
- Instagram: Thebarberpolebirmingham
