Barbering with Nate Donigan

‘Nate is one of the most professional barbers I have met. Most barbers are not consistent. Sometimes barbers mess up appointments or don’t even show up for appointments or even make you wait a very long time. Nate is very consistent, good at what he does and full of surprises.’ - client as he was walking out.

I personally have worked with Nate Donigan on a few photography projects and I must say I love his enthusiastic, yet laid back personality while shooting. He is open minded, flexible and always willing to work on creativity. He is mostly quiet and doesn’t speak much unless spoken to first. When you find a subject he likes to talk about, he adds his feedback but only says what is needed and then is quiet again. I noticed he loves to help people. Every time I visited his studio (I used to have a studio space across the hall from him), I would always pop in and say hello. Each time I would see him talking to his client and sometimes offering advice to the youth that would frequent in his seat. I always sensed he had stories that he has collected from experiences in his life so it was only natural that I schedule to interview him. One day recently I called him and told him I wanted to interview him for REM magazine. I heard him giggle and ask why? I quickly responded why not?

We scheduled to meet in his studio on a Wednesday morning that fit both of our schedules. After circling around the Worldgate parking lot, I finally parked and hurried in to see him working on a client. I walked into the Salon Plaza Studios and his studio had slightly changed from the last time I had been there. He greeted me with a big grin while still focusing on his client. I don’t think I have ever seen Nate without a hat on. I got myself situated by pulling up a chair and sitting in front of him and his client. I loudly asked, ‘you ready?’ He had a big smile on his face while slightly shaking his head and saying quietly, ‘I don’t know what to say.’ I laughed and said, ‘let me start by asking you a few questions and then you can add on what you want to say.’ He nodded and his client smiled too.

Do you feel like the barbershop is a cornerstone of the community?

It used to be a cornerstone but the industry is definitely changing. It is growing for the better. It used to be a place people would gather and hangout. Now not as much. It seems more of a business than a recreational spot. I have had most of my clients for over 15 years. I have seen preschoolers grow up and head off to college. Locations have changed how I do things. I am concentrating on hair, being professional and growing my business.

Do you think that has to do with your location?

Definitely because of location. I am here by myself and doing all the work here on my own. It is a little harder when you are doing everything on your own.

Is the barber industry becoming a lost art?

No. It is being more appreciated. Products, markets and social media is showing everything geared towards men. Look at the trade shows, youtube and other places. Social media has really attributed to making it bigger than it was.

Do you think someone can just watch a video and learn to how to do hair and claim they are a barber?

No. you need to put in the hours and time. You need to be professional or learn how to be professional. They need to do things the right way. And the right way is doing an apprenticeship, trade school and get your license.

What do you like about being a Barber?

Being a Barber helps me to express my creativity and expand my knowledge by learning from others and to do and see different things every single day. It adds flexibility to my lifestyle. And most of all, I get to be Nate and work for Nate…

What's your ideal client?

<laughs> It looks like he was about to make a joke but holds back. Then he clears his throat and has a serious look and turns to me and says…

My ideal client is someone who is between the ages of 25-45 male. I like clients who are professional and who want to really take care of their hair as opposed to someone just getting a haircut.

Why do you love cutting hair?

It allows me to be creative and to own my own business. Not to rely on anyone else and I am my own boss.

How do you handle a challenge with a guest that is not happy?

I try to be understanding and forgiving as possible. I always try to make it work somehow.

Who are your favorite clients?

My favorite clients are the ones that care about their hair and appearance. They take care of their hair and they tip well... lol

What are your thoughts on trendy hair?

Men’s Grooming is at an all time high. Social media has helped give an industry that’s been behind its counterparts more exposure and a larger voice which makes it a better industry to be a part of.

What's a current fashion trend that you dislike?

I don’t like the super skinny pants and jeans. Don't get me wrong. It looks good on some people, but it isn’t a trend I like.

Do you offer any free (barber) services in your neighborhood?

Oh yeah all the time. When someone pays for a service and I notice they need some treatment or an extra service done, I will give them an added complimentary service. That way, if they liked it or appreciate the importance of the service they will come back and request it.

I also offer discounts for Vets, single moms and people in the community that are down on their luck. I have had regular clients that are loyal and hit a rough patch so I help them with a haircut for their job interview.

What do you think we can change about the fashion industry?

They need to make more clothing for plus size folks. They don’t have enough of those. I follow a plus size model named

When did you get interested in photography?

It was around 2008/2009. I was at a Barbershop customer appreciation cookout. A client brought his camera and he wasn’t using it so he took the camera and started taking pics. My stepdad is also a freelance photographer and I saw how he enjoyed photography and it helped inspire me but I never thought I should go out and try it until the cookout.

What are some of your greatest achievements in life?

Not being a statistic. (So I ask Nate to be a little more specific). Well for example not being locked up, or just not making it in life. Growing up if you made the wrong move you can land where you don't want to be.

Another achievement is being successful in business. I completed Barber School and opened up my own shop. I have been working very hard and finally was able to buy a new home.

I also am very proud because during the times I was working as a Barber, I decided I wanted to go to college. I really didn’t know what I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted to do something more. I started taking photography classes and went to photography school. Soon after, I started taking photos and thoroughly enjoy taking headshot of folks.

I am mostly proud of the fact that I am expanding my business. I have successfully been running my barbershop business for many years and now it is time to expand. I acquired the suite next door and with the landlords permission, we tore down the wall to connect the two spaces. Now I have another Barber working with me and soon I will be offering additional products and services.

(I keep bugging him for more trying to get him to not be modest about talking to himself)

Well I am proud of stepping out the box. I used to just want to get through. Quick and easy. Go to work, work on the hair, get paid and leave. I didn’t focus on service and hair care or customer service. Now I am stepping outside of the box and doing so much more. I now attend trade shows to learn more. I also make my own product that I offer to clients in the studio. I have also added photography as a service to my clients. I used to just do the bare minimum and now I am doing so much more.

Ooh Tell us about your Products!

I used to carry a product that was costly to obtain and maintain. The margins weren’t good. I did research and created a product called Stay Sharp Hydration Butter.

What does it do?

It is a Shea butter based product and it helps moisturize hair, skin and scalp. You can pick it up at my shop and soon I will be offering it online. It has all natural ingredients and its for men and women especially those with natural hair.

You mentioned you are expanding your business, how so?

I am leasing the suite next to me and I combined suites to make more room to hire other barbers. I am also currently looking for someone to help with day to day operations, shampooing, facials and customer service.

Who have been your role model(s)?

My grandmother. She always keeps it 100% with me. She doesn’t cut corners or sugar coat anything. She encourages me a lot.

Do you have anyone that inspires you?

Oh yeah. 80’s and 90’s hip hop music and art.

What do you do for fun and what are your hobbies?

I like to come up with new ideas and brainstorm. I also go out with friends occasionally. One of my past hobbies was that I used to collect sneakers.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I would love to change the way barbershops are set up. I want to help create more chains of ‘studio’ themed Barber shops versus a typical model. I would love to start a family in a few years once things are moving along with the business expansion.

I want to see my business grow and would like to collaborate with other artists. One thing I forgot to mention is that I love working with talent in all areas. From barbers, hair stylists, makeup artists, musicians, photographers and more, I would love to work with more people and help get people connected. I love to see people doing what they love to do. I like individualism and expression and I love it when people reach their full potential.

What is your advice for today’s youth and to someone who is starting out in the industry?

Don’t give up on your dreams and aspirations. Don’t let people tell you that you can’t do it. My message to the world? Be prepared to learn new skills and techniques throughout your career!

What is your message to the world?

Equality and justice for all.

I start to wrap up the questions and our conversation as our time was almost up. While I was writing the response to the last question I asked, he had one client checking out and one waiting to go next. I noticed he had a few phone calls of people calling to schedule an appointment or squeeze in his busy schedule. Nate is a very popular guy! I waited for him to check out his client before I interjected to say goodbye. The client turned and asked him if he had anything for a dry scalp. I saw that same grin as he walked over and showed him the Stay Sharp product that the client bought without hesitation. We said goodbye, took a selfie together and quickly chatted about meeting up for another photography collaboration while he started on the next client.

Once I left, I saw another one of his clients pull up eager to get a fresh cut. Nate didn’t choose to be a barber, barbering chose him. He had been working 2 or 3 different jobs that weren’t really going any where or paying him well. He had to work while he was figuring out how he would get thru college without the help of his parents. He even said he got fired from a job in Georgetown because his creativity and passion for learning new things and skills weren’t being fed. One morning he was looking thru the telephone book looking for job ideas and the first page that he landed on was Barber College. There were two large listings. He called both and chose the one that offered financial aid and was the closest to him. He lived in SW DC at the time and the school was in Annandale. He thought to himself he could cut hair to get thru college. He thought that barbers had it easy and that cutting hair couldn’t be that hard and that barbers got to do what they wanted to, when they wanted to and how they wanted to. The rest is history. Nate had the ride of his life that led him to the Salon Plaza studios in Herndon.