May 8, 2017

Meet Al Gonzales of Supreme Shave and Barber Emporium in Sugar Land

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Al Gonzales.

Al, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have over 30 years’ experience in men’s grooming, shaving, hair cutting, styling and shaving skin care. I hold a Class A Barber License and am a certified Master Barber.

It all began in 1980 at Town & Country Memorial in Houston, Texas (now known as City Center). In 1987 my quest for the ultimate shave led me to the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. For 20-years I honed, polished and perfected the skills to create what I truly believe is the ultimate shave.

Always looking to the future, I left Main Street Barber Shop in historic Grapevine Texas for the boom of Houston’s fastest growing communities; Missouri City and Sugar Land. With my wife Dora and sons Aidan and Gianmarco, we moved to this thriving area to open my own business to share the ultimate shave experience.

My passion for the industry and love of making clients feel at home is reflected throughout the shop. From the lush, antique barber’s chairs to the flat screen television; from the vintage decor adorning the walls (including a picture of long-time client Spanky from famed ‘Our Gang’) to the fine scotch or cigars available; we at Supreme Shave Barber & Emporium will make your experience supreme in every way.

We will be launching an exclusive Supreme Social Club membership soon; the first in Sugar Land.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Always challenging because we must constantly find the trends; or let the trends find us.

Supreme Shave & Barber Emporium – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
At Supreme Shave we offer a variety of masculine grooming services geared toward today’s busy professional. We are experts at hot towel, straight edge shaves. We are also well versed in the latest hair styles for men and deliver traditional cuts with precision. We offer beard, goatee and mustache trims, head shaves and flat tops.

We’re known for our passion for the shaving revival. We know it goes hand in hand with the millennial man’s desire to express his individuality and style. Men are bypassing “generic” salons and adopting the specialty shop for a more personal and masculine experiences. We believe it’s more than a shave, it’s an experience.

Our fastest growing client base is beard trimming, shaping and styling and we have connected with Templar Beard Company by using and selling their amazing beard products. Clint & Chad Starrett (Templar) and I share a passion of great beard grooming.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Continued expansion. I have a vision of how Supreme Barber Emporium should be; I want to eventually offer this unique and personal experience nationwide through franchising. The business is growing at a rate of 108% per year over the past 5 years; and I have to concentrate on controlling that growth to preserve the foundation of the business. Creating the supreme experience, always putting quality first.

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