BreakUp Inspired Mohawk Matt to Launch BOLT BARBERS
January 23, 2010
We’re constantly reminding our readers that breakups can open the door to destiny. Breaking up can be traumatic, of course, but quite often both parties are sparing themselves transitory pain at the price of longterm happiness.
One man who opened that door has not only realized his personal dreams, he’s gone on to serve as an inspiration to others. “Mohawk” Matt Berman, Founder & Chief Barber of BOLT in downtown LA, is the veteran of dual breakups – with his wife and career. He was kind enough to sit down with BreakUpService Editor-in-Chief Hesh Rephun and share the story behind BOLT BARBERS and how that the changes he made in his life inspire others on a daily basis.
BreakUpService: We showed up at your doorstep because we suspected that a dude who gives radical haircuts might have some insight into relationships and the rocky road they can take. We were blown away to discover that a breakup was actually the impetus for starting BOLT BARBERS. Can you tell us more about that?
Mohawk Matt: I was in a very unhealthy marriage….and it was unhealthy for both parties, not just for me. The more I tried to please, the more she tried to change me. Founding a barbershop and cutting hair had long been on my “bucket list,” along with getting tattooed and mohawked. But as a “corporate citizen” working for companies like Danone, Novartis, P&G, & Benckiser, I knew better than to reveal my true self for the sake of my career. The breakup of the marriage actually triggered a complete self assessment of my life top to bottom, and I realized I needed to re invent myself and start listening to my stomach instead of to my head.
After two long years of legal separation, I decided it was time to pursue what I think I am on the planet to do: give guys a place where they can go hang, chill, be themselves – and, oh, by the way, get hooked up with awesome tapers, fades, mohawks, or any other cut imaginable, plus shaves or shines. So they leave not only looking better…but feeling better too.
BUS: Prior to opening BOLT, you were a global marketing exec. Sometimes, breakups with a previous career can be as significant as one of a romantic nature – how was the transition for you?
MM: People do things for the wrong reasons. In my marriage, we stayed together far long after the romance boiled away, because we thought it would be better for our three wonderful boys. We were wrong. Children would rather have two happy parents than two parents who are together. Period.
Similarly, in my career, I was chasing an elusive “place” in the corporate world where I could fit in. Frankly, it took me 25 years to realize I don’t fit into the corporate world…and I should do my own thing and pursue happiness instead of power. And like the full back piece tattoo (43 hours of ink) that graces my back, I have no regrets. I look forward to the next 45 years of my life as a “happy barber.”
BUS: Getting a haircut obviously has its practical benefits – but do you think there’s a therapeutic benefit to the process?
MM: No doubt about it. A haircut is a relaxing experience…provided you are in an environment you can feel comfortable in. I did quite a bit of research on barbershops and salons in So Cal. Bottom line, guys just don’t feel comfortable in salons – way too much drama and attitude for most dudes. And while the old school barbershop is alive and well in Black & Latino “hoods across America”, just try finding one elsewhere.
Probably the most beneficial aspect of visiting a community barbershop is the feeling of community you get. A place to connect with other guys, and most importantly to be yourself, and not play the roles that “define” who you are in your home and/or work environments. Guys crave this.
BUS: That’s awesome, it’s one of the things we’ve discovered and try to share via BreakUpService – that men and women each have their own sense of community. Speaking of men and women, we can remember a time when men had barber shops and women had salons. Bolt is clearly a barber shop – does that mean no women are allowed?
MM: We are NOT a mens sanctuary. We greatly value diversity, cater to all ethnicities, and are even pet friendly. And, of course, women are welcome. Bolt wouldn’t be the same without both men and women hanging out here. But cutting womens hair is a different story. We are NOT cosmetologists. There are tons of cosmetologists who train long and hard to cut womens hair. We’re barbers. We were taught how to cut mens hair…and how to shave men with a straight edge razor. So that’s what we do, what we are good at. But we can recommend some awesome nearby beauty salons that really do a bang up job cutting women’s hair.
BUS: As the Chief Barber of BOLT, what are your favorite cuts, and what’s the strangest request you’ve ever received?
MM: Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy Answer to that question. I love giving mohawks to guys. Especially first-timers. It’s a transformative cut…and every dude should rock one at least once in his life.
Regarding strange requests, you’ve got to understand that Bolt does not judge our dudes’ requests, nor are we a conservative shop. We actually encourage unusual cuts and love pushing the envelope. But to answer your question, the strangest request we’ve gotten is the business executive from Bunker Hill who called before coming just to make sure that he could get his conservative businessman’s haircut at Bolt and not leave with a mohawk. We hooked him up…but I made him realize that he really wants a mohawk and will probably get one sometime in his life – probably once he is free from the “ball and chain.”
About BOLT BARBERS:
In 2008, BOLT BARBERS(TM) Founder and Entrepreneur, “Mohawk” Matt Berman, traded a corporate marketing job & his PC and Blackberry for a pair of clippers, a straight edge razor, and a pair of shears. BOLT opened its first location at 460 South Spring Street in Downtown LA. www.boltbarbers.com.
BOLT is the largest and most authentic barbershop in DTLA in the last 50 years. Locations are planned for London, NYC, and other LA spots. A full line of BOLT-exclusive men’s grooming products will debut in early 2010.
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