Today we’d like to introduce you to Abel Machado.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Fade Haus started with a dream, resilience, and a passion I discovered at a very young age.
I’m originally from Cuba, and when I came to the United States, I always had the mindset that I was destined for more. At 13 years old, I was gifted my first pair of clippers, and from that moment barbering became more than a hobby for me. It became a creative outlet, a hustle, and eventually the foundation for something bigger.
Over the years, I dedicated myself to mastering my craft, building relationships, and helping people feel confident through every haircut. Beyond the fades and clean cuts, I always imagined creating a barbershop with a different kind of energy — modern, welcoming, and full of good vibes.
A big part of my journey was the support around me. My family, my incredible partner, and my close friends always believed in me and pushed me to keep going, even during moments when I doubted myself. Sometimes they saw the vision more clearly than I did because they knew what I was capable of.
That vision became Fade Haus.
Building Fade Haus from the ground up took a lot of hard work, sacrifice, and faith. Every detail of the shop was created with intention, from the atmosphere and branding to the culture inside the space. Creating a strong team and positive working environment was just as important to me as the services themselves. I wanted to build a shop where barbers support one another, grow together, and actually enjoy coming to work every day.
For me, this has always been bigger than haircuts. It’s about creating confidence, building community, and giving both clients and barbers a place that feels authentic and inspiring. One of my biggest motivations is making my son proud and showing him that with hard work, consistency, and belief in yourself, anything is possible.
Today, Fade Haus continues to grow through community support, word of mouth, and loyal clients who connect with the experience and atmosphere behind the brand. What started with a young kid holding a pair of clippers at 13 has turned into a growing business built on passion, perseverance, and purpose.
Honestly, I still feel like this is only the beginning!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. There were a lot of long days, pressure behind the scenes, and moments where things felt overwhelming.
Building Fade Haus from the ground up came with challenges financially, mentally, and emotionally. A lot of people only see the finished product, but they don’t always see everything that goes into it — building the shop, creating the brand, taking risks, finding the right team, and learning the business side along the way. There were moments where I questioned myself, but I kept pushing forward because I believed in the vision.
Starting something new in a competitive industry isn’t easy, especially when you care deeply about every detail. But those challenges helped shape both me and the culture behind Fade Haus.
One of the biggest things for me was creating the right environment. I didn’t just want talented barbers around me — I wanted good people with good energy. Building a team that supports each other, grows together, and genuinely enjoys being in the shop has been one of the most rewarding parts of the journey.
It’s also important to me that the team feels supported both professionally and personally. Everyone has a life outside of work, and I want Fade Haus to be a place where people feel respected, motivated, and encouraged to grow not just in their careers, but as individuals too.
Looking back now, I think the struggles were necessary. They made me work harder, stay focused, and appreciate every win along the way. We’re proud of how far we’ve come, and we’re still learning, evolving, and finding ways to keep getting better every day.
As you know, we’re big fans of Fade Haus. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
For me, Fade Haus is more than a barbershop — it’s a place built around good energy, quality service, and making people feel good when they walk through the door. I want clients to feel relaxed, welcomed, and comfortable from the moment they arrive. Good music is always playing, conversations are flowing, and you’ll probably catch me doing a few dance moves between haircuts. One of my favorite parts of barbering is getting to meet people from all different backgrounds, cultures, and walks of life. Every client has a story, and I think that’s part of what makes the barbershop environment so special. The vibe is real and never forced.
We specialize in modern fades, beard work, facials, color services, and grooming experiences while still respecting the classic cuts that never go out of style. I’m always trying to evolve, keep up with trends, learn new techniques, and find ways to improve the experience for our clients.
One thing that really sets us apart is the personality behind our services. I wanted everything at Fade Haus to feel different and memorable, so we created signature services with names that match the energy of the brand — Mini Boss Cut, Zero to Hero Fade, Clean and Fire, Beard Ritual, Fresh Face Reset, The Boss is Back, and The Boss Package.
What I’m most proud of is building something authentic. Fade Haus was built through hard work, consistency, and belief in a vision. To me, it’s bigger than haircuts. It’s about creating a positive atmosphere for both the team and the clients.
More than anything, I want people to know that dreams are possible with hard work and commitment. Fade Haus is proof that if you stay focused, keep learning, and believe in yourself, you can build something special.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of my favorite childhood memories was going to the local neighborhood barbershop in my hometown in Cuba for a haircut. I remember how the barber knew everybody, made people laugh, played music, and created an atmosphere that was fun to be around. A simple haircut could completely change someone’s confidence and attitude, and you could feel the energy in the shop.
While I waited, I’d sweep up hair or help organize things just to feel like I was part of the environment. Looking back, I think that’s where my hustler mentality and sense of service really started.
That experience showed me that barbering is about more than just cutting hair. It’s about people, relationships, confidence, and creating a place people genuinely enjoy being in.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fadehaustx.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fade.haustx/
