Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe And Kayla Flores.
Hi Joe and Kayla , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Tailored started with a simple idea: create a space where craftsmanship, community, Mastering the craft of Barbering, and integrity actually matter.
We opened our first Tailored Barber Co. location in Ogden, Utah in 2016 with a clear vision, a lot of grit, and a deep belief in people. From the beginning, it was never about being the biggest shop; it was about building something meaningful. We wanted a place where clients felt seen, barbers felt supported, and everyone who walked through the door felt like they belonged.
Like most small businesses, the journey wasn’t linear. We’ve experienced seasons of rapid growth, hard lessons, financial pressure, and moments where we had to completely rebuild — not just the business, but the systems, culture, and leadership behind it. Each challenge forced us to refine who we are and what we stand for. We learned quickly that culture is everything, and that the right people make all the difference.
Over time, Tailored grew beyond just barbering. We expanded to include tattooing, cosmetology, nails, education, and mentorship, and in 2024 we opened our second location in Ogden — Tailored Barber Co. II: The Collective — designed to house multiple creative industries under one roof. What started as a single barbershop has grown into a collaborative ecosystem built on trust, accountability, and long-term growth.
Today, Tailored is still very much owner-operated and community-driven. We’re proud of the spaces we’ve built, but even more proud of the people inside them. Every step of our journey has been built brick by brick — learning, adjusting, and staying rooted in why we started in the first place: to turn strangers into family and build something that truly lasts.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road — and in hindsight, we’re grateful for that.
Building Tailored came with the same challenges many small, owner-operated businesses face, especially in the service industry. Early on, we wore every hat: behind the chair, managing finances, handling staffing, marketing, and putting systems in place while still trying to grow. There were moments of financial strain, growing pains, and tough leadership lessons that forced us to mature quickly.
One of the biggest challenges was learning that growth doesn’t just require talent — it requires structure. As the business expanded, we had to rebuild systems, redefine roles, and sometimes make difficult decisions to protect the culture we were working so hard to create. Navigating people management, setting boundaries, and staying true to our values while evolving as leaders was a constant learning curve.
We also learned that not everyone grows at the same pace or in the same direction — and that’s okay. Letting go of what no longer aligned, while still leading with integrity and compassion, was one of the hardest but most necessary parts of the journey.
Every obstacle to this day pushes us to be clearer, stronger, and more intentional. Those struggles shaped Tailored into what it is today — not just a business, but a resilient, values-driven community.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Tailored Barber Co. & Tailored Tattoos ?
Tailored Barber Co. is a creative, community-driven brand rooted in old school barbering with a modern twist but expanded far beyond it.
At our core, we are a high-standard grooming and creative space specializing in men’s and women’s hair, barbering, tattoos, and education. We operate two locations in Utah — our original Roy shop and our second location in Ogden, known as The Collective — both designed to bring multiple creative disciplines together under one roof.
What we’re known for is craftsmanship paired with culture. Technical skill matters deeply to us, but so does how people feel when they walk through our doors. We pride ourselves on delivering consistent, elevated services while creating an environment that feels welcoming, professional, and genuine — for both clients and artists.
What truly sets Tailored apart is our people-first approach. We are intentionally built to support long-term careers, not just jobs. That means mentorship, leadership development, education, and clear standards — paired with real accountability. We invest heavily in our team because we believe great businesses are built by empowered people.
Brand-wise, we’re most proud of the culture we’ve created. Tailored is still owner-operated and deeply hands-on, and that shows in the details — from how we train and promote internally, to how we show up for our community. We’ve built spaces where creatives feel supported, challenged, and proud of where they work, and where clients feel like more than just an appointment on the schedule.
For our readers, we want them to know that Tailored isn’t about trends or quick wins. It’s about building something lasting. Every service, space, and decision is intentional — brick by brick — with integrity, consistency, and community at the center of everything we do.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
We’ve learned that luck is often just preparation meeting opportunity — and sometimes preparation meeting pressure.
There were moments early on where the timing felt lucky: finding the right space, meeting key people who believed in the vision, or having doors open that we didn’t yet realize would be pivotal. At the same time, there were seasons that felt like the opposite of luck — financial strain, hard leadership lessons, unexpected setbacks, and situations that forced us to rebuild parts of the business we thought were already solid.
Looking back, the moments that felt like “bad luck” were actually the turning points. They required us to slow down, get more intentional, strengthen our systems, and lead with more clarity. Those experiences shaped our values, our culture, and ultimately the longevity of the brand.
We don’t credit Tailored’s growth to luck alone. What made the difference was staying consistent, being willing to take responsibility, and continuing to show up — even when it was uncomfortable. If luck played a role, it was in giving us the opportunity to prove what we were capable of when it mattered most.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tailoredbarberco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tailored_barber_co?igsh=MWthbzl5N2duY2sxMw==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BM9WDqMZX/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/tailoredbarberco_ogden?igsh=cXg1YW84M2g4c2R3
