Welcome everyone to Back Alley Tonsorium!
My name is Mateo Torres and the idea for this studio has been a long project created in my head, that I am now bringing to life in my hometown.
I recieved my class A barbers license in the RGV and started my career in Harlingen, Tx. It didnt take long before I branched out and flew the coop to accept an opportunity that would forever change my life. I was offered a position as the only barber in a salon called Salon off the Square in downtown Denton,Tx. As I started to break ground up north, I was able to absorb the techniques and learn from my peers about the salon side of the trade and was able to experiment and practice with vibrant colors, highlights, etc. As much as I was learning, I was filling my books up with my male clients and it began to dictate what my schedule looked like. It was an amazing experience to be able to learn from women that had been in the game years longer than I had been. They'd all been very helpful, and I am extremely grateful for their expertise!
Shortly after arriving in Denton, I was introduced to a group of barbers that cut by their own rules. I was then offered the morning shift at The Bearded Lady Barbershop also in downtown Denton. It was through this shop that I was able gain more traction and hit the grund running. During that time, we as a shop won Best Barbershop of Denton County for a consecutive 5 years. From the owners to the other barbers, The Bearded Lady showed immense hospitality and comradery.
During my stay in North Texas, I split my time between both the Salon and the barbershop for 7 days a week, and just about 365. If I was not in the shops, I was cutting on what days off I had at the local venues in and around the DFW area for national and international music acts on tour such as Gas Monkey Live, House of Blues, Trees , and festivals such as Vans Warped Tour and Punk in Drublic. Through this I was able to meet and clean up some of the industries well known acts such as Bad Religion, NOFX, Senses Fail, Rise Against, as well as the RGV's very own recording artists, Sons of Texas.
There were plenty of good times had in North Texas. It was an experience I will never forget. As my time up there went on, a conversation between my fiance and I came up about the possibility of moving back to the RGV. We didnt know when this would happen or if it would happen at all, but the idea was thrown out in the universe. By throwing it out there, events occured on their own and created a reason and timeline of when we were packing up and moving back to Harlingen. Being born and raised in South Texas, it was comforting knowing we would be at arms reach to our families. As this conversation was concluded, the next order of business was to be talked about ... where am I going to cut !!! well, thats easy ... OPEN YOUR OWN DAMN SHOP!!!!!
With the help of my fiance and family, I was able to bring to life this Frankenstein that is Back Alley Tonsorium !!! I am extremely thakful for my experiences while in the industry, the help I have recieved from my friends and family, and I am excited to share with you my vision for the shop and what it has to offer. So as everything is being put in place before opening, I am looking forward to seeing you all in the chair !
-Mateo
BATonsorium
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