GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – A pair of local barbers are celebrating after winning awards at a competition as they also express pride in representing Green Bay’s barbershop scene throughout the Midwest.
Empire Cuts stylist Jorge Velasquez and Owner Maynor Gomez won awards for the best combovers and ‘tag-team.’ Gomez said he and the staff want to put Green Bay on the map in the industry.
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“We’ve been going to barber competitions all around the Midwest, and try to represent Green Bay the best way we can,” Gomez said. “We’re working hard for this.”
Gomez said that in the past three competitions he and Velasquez have attended, they’ve won a combined nine trophies. Velasquez emphasized that while the honors are nice, they’re not settling.
“It’s a pleasure to show that Green Bay has the talent,” Velasquez said. “But, we’ve just gotta keep pushing and getting better all the time.”
Gomez got his interest in the barbershop lifestyle from seeing photos on Instagram, and it made him want to do the same thing, and that he always wants to improve.
“I want to do the same thing, that motivated me to start doing better,” Gomez said. “Then I found out about barber competitions and thought ‘I want one of those trophies one day.’ I just want to get better and make sure all our clients know what we can do.”
Gomez even added that he wants to motivate other Green Bay barbers to go and compete.
“It’s nice to see people say, ‘look at those barbers from Green Bay,'” Gomez said. “They’d never think we’re from Green Bay. I’m glad to represent Green Bay.”
Velasquez said he always knew he wanted to get better, and seeing his clients be happy with their cuts creates extra motivation for him. Both said that they try to be more than just a barber, having casual conversations with clients.
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“My clients are my friends, they know they can come in and always have a good conversation,” Velasquez said. “The most important part is enjoying what you’re doing.”
More information on Empire Cuts is available on their social media.
