Internationally renowned hairstylist Juan ‘Johnny’ Garcia cuts the hair of longtime friend Richard Garcia, retired advertising executive from the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. ‘I’ve been getting my haircut by Johnny at Hamlin Barber Salon since the late 1960s. I don’t trust anybody else,’ Garcia said. Photo by Jane Kathleen Gregorio
Juan “Johnny” Garcia has traveled the world, winning awards and cutting and styling the hair of presidents, politicians and celebrities. A native of Robstown, he has maintained Hamlin Barber Salon in the same spot where he first opened shop in 1967. In fact, on Feb. 7, Garcia will celebrate his 50th anniversary as owner of the salon at 4032 Weber Road in the Hamlin Shopping Center.
“I was first inspired by the barber who used to cut my hair as a little kid,” he told Corpus Christi Business News. “He dressed very sharp and wore a very nice smock. Afterwards, he would give me a nickel to buy a coke. I wanted to be just like him someday.”
Garcia’s dreams came true by taking action. He purchased Hamlin Barber Salon from the original owner, Billy Barker, for $14,000. He was 19 years old and had been working as a licensed barber for three years. At the age of 23, Garcia bought South Texas Barber College and began teaching.
“I’ve graduated many talented stylists who have gone on to work at prestigious salons,” he said. “Seven of them became U.S. champions, myself included.”
For 23 years, Garcia was on the road teaching across the country as well as in Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico. He competed and won international hairstyling awards and had a license to work in 47 states. He has cut the hair of Dale Carnegie, Zig Zigler and Norman Vincent Peale, all three well-known advisers on how to be successful. Garcia has developed his own philosophy.
“If you hang around with successful people, you become one,” he said.
He strives to teach his students to always think positive and never to allow negative thoughts or people discourage them.
Garcia instilled his way of thinking into his children as well. All three earned degrees and have careers, but they also all cut hair on the side. One son has a degree in petroleum engineering but is licensed to cut hair in his free time. His other son has a degree in business administration and also owns a salon. His daughter is studying marine biology and cuts hair part time.
Garcia still teaches and works as a barber and hairstylist because it’s what makes him happy.
“Coming to work is the best medicine I have, even on my worst day,” he said. “I work very hard, and I love what I do.”
His clients trust his expertise and show their support by coming back. The barber from whom he took his inspiration still comes into the shop.
“He’s in his 80s now,” Garcia said. “Now, I’m the one cutting his hair.”
Another longtime client, Richard Garcia, a retired advertising executive with the Corpus Christi Caller-Times, put it this way as he sat in Garcia’s barber chair draped with a blue styling cape.
"I've been getting my hair cut by Johnny at Hamlin Barber Salon since the late 1960s,” he said. “I don't trust anybody else.”
Hamlin Barber Salon is located at 4032 Weber Road. Call (361) 855-2297.
