The doctor of Fashion

El médico de la moda

Rubén Polanco | DIAaDIA

Another in my series of translations of Dia a Dia’s People like me. The real stories of real micro entrepreneurs in Panama.

Secure of himself, he set out to learn and now can say that he has succeeded.

When he started he would practice on his closest friends. He charged them 50 cents.

He then would go to barbershops to observe those who know are his colleagues, wanting to learn how to cut hair with a machine. Including when they cut his own hair, he would be studying what they were doing intensely. This was how 22 year old Gaspar Gil Pinzón learnt.

With time he could charge his friends 1 dollar and as he refined his technique he decided to establish his own business called “Barbería Gaspar”.

When he started he realized that it was hard work. He worked alone day and night all days. “There were days, like all in December, when the place would be so busy. The line of people would be waiting and I wouldn’t even be able to go eat”, he says.

For Gaspar, these were days of arduous work. Exhaustion was the only thing left for him. Now, with already 3 years experience he has a trusty coworker, Julio, who cuts hair. He helps out with the extensive clientele and take turns for their days off.

The barbershop is located in La Cabima, Alcalde Díaz. He pays 100 dollars for rent and 50 for electricity.

He is satisfied that he has stable work that he likes, that he makes his money and doesn’t harm anyone in the process. “I have no complaints with my work. I only have thanks for everything”, says Gaspar.

His business is profitable. He even has his own car and can help his mother with her bills. His shop is well maintained, clean and has air conditioning. He has also now managed to get all his permits and licenses in order. In the future Gaspar aspires to own his own place and that it is larger than it currently is.

365 Days

The barbershop is open all days of the year, from 9 am to 8 pm.