The story of Alexander Rodríguez, a Dominican barber and owner of a barber in Harlem, is a testimony of resilience and determination. Rodríguez arrived in New York in 2016, with only 17 years, along with his mother and his brother, in search of a better life. “I arrived at my grandmother’s house, where I had to sleep on a sofa with my mother because there was no space,” he recalls. “For 11 months I slept there, grateful for the small space that my grandparents gave me.”
Two weeks after arriving, Rodríguez began working in his first barbershop. “My beginning is like everyone else … I had my rejection,” he says. “When people came to the barbershop, many times they told me no, when I asked if I could give them the service. They told me that I was very young and that they better cut their hair with other barbers. For me it was a bit uncomfortable in some moments.” Although there were moments of discouragement, Rodríguez knew that this was only the beginning. “I had to wait many hours to cut the hair. Like every barber, the beginnings are strong, but when you want, you can.”
Over time, Rodríguez’s perseverance began to bear fruit. “Then the process was improving. The more criticism was, the more and the stronger it put on me,” he explains. “I have always been punctual, respectful, I have had a big discipline because I love my work. After so many bad times, customers were accepting my work more.” Three years of effort in that first barbershop laid the foundations for what it would achieve later.
In 2023, Rodríguez’s long -awaited dream came true when he opened his own barber in Harlem. “It was not easy, but I did, with the help of my relatives,” he says, reflecting on the path that took him to his premises in 1571 Lexington Ave, a place that now feels like his home. “Being Dominican is bringing the homeland on top and representing anywhere in the world, especially in New York.” Each cut gives you the opportunity to honor your roots and connect with the vibrant Harlem community. “I chose this area since I had been working on it for several years, and here I have a great diversity of people,” he says.
For Rodríguez, success depends on resilience and commitment. “When opening a business you have to have some mechanism and mentality, so that the business enters melves.” After years perfecting his trade and creating links with his clients, he has come to see his barbershop as a reflection of his trip and identity.
As he proudly expresses it: “My dad cut my hair, and since childhood that motivated me to be a hairdresser and contribute to the community. Now, every day, I feel that I am living that dream.”
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