“Cutting hair has been my passion since I was a freshman in high school,” he said.
Antunez is known for his “modern fades,” which means keeping the hair longer on the top and having a smooth transition with the rest of the hair. He said this is the most popular trend, along with more men growing beards.
“Cutting hair has been my passion since I was a freshman in high school,” he said.
Antunez, 27, said he started by cutting his own hair, moved on to cutting his classmates’ hair, then had an apprenticeship with an experienced barber before opening DLuxe Barbershop five years ago. His first barbershop overlooked Heritage Square in downtown Flagstaff, with a great view of the San Francisco Peaks.
But Antunez outgrew that space and now, just five years since starting his business, has seven barbers working for him at 7 E. Aspen, Suite 6 in Flagstaff. He also obtained a liquor license and has a bar on the other side of the barbershop.
Antunez said he has a mostly younger clientele, but he also lives by the 33-33-33 rule, as a third of his clients are locals, a third are Northern Arizona University students and a third are tourists.
“We’re constantly growing because downtown Flagstaff is a busy place,” he said.
He says the best part of his job is seeing people from all walks of life come into his shop and having lively conversations with them.
“It’s nice to see what we have in common. The biggest thing is a good sense of humor.”
Antunez says he owes a lot of his success to the influence his late uncle Charles Decker had on him. Decker was a renowned native artist and Antunez keeps Decker’s artwork on the wall. “It’s good to see him every day,” he said.
Business ownership has made Antunez a better person, a better family member and a better boss, he says.
“If people are having a bad day, my conversation and humor helps turn it into a good day – and people do the same thing for me,” he said. “Making them feel good makes me feel good.”
“Barbering” is a culture in and of itself, he explains, as barbers often talk to each other about their work. But his Yavapai Apache culture remains in the forefront of his business. Many of his clients are Native Americans.
“There are not a lot of barbershops on reservations, so they get to come in here and see a different type of lifestyle,” he said.
Antunez was raised in Flagstaff. Growing up, he noticed a lack of barbershops in town, so he jumped on the opportunity to be a barber. “You never master it, because there is always more to learn.”
My Superpower
I can start up a conversation with anybody. I’m a people person. My other superpower: I’m pretty fast with clippers.
How I Relax
I take a couple days off a week and I’m very active. I go to the gym or I get outside. That’s how I get my mind right.
Favorite Hobbies
I like being outdoors and biking with my dudes. I also like spending time with my girlfriend and dog.
Who I Admire
My Uncle Charles taught me how to be creative.
Advice to Aspiring Barbers
Learn as much as you can and practice as much as you can. QCBN
Photo by Don Decker: Antunez says the best part of his job is seeing people from all walks of life come into his shop and having lively conversations with them.
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