Today we’d like to introduce you to Ricky Arriola.
Hi Ricky, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I kind of fell into barbering. When I was in high school, I got my hair cut by a barber who worked out of the living room of his apartment. Over time, I watched him turn that into a private studio in his home and eventually open his first barbershop. He knew I had a creative side and would jokingly tell me I should learn to cut hair. At the time, I didn’t think much of it, but seeing him build a business from the ground up stayed with me.
Around 21, I was unhappy with my job and going through some personal struggles. I knew I needed a change, so I enrolled in barber school. What started as a way to find a new direction became one of the best decisions I’ve made. Barbering gave me a creative outlet, a career I could take pride in, and the chance to build something of my own.
I opened Break Bread Barber Co. in 2018. Today, we have shops in Rose Park and Herriman. It’s been a long road from that apartment living room, and I still think about how much watching my barber’s journey shaped mine.
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. One of the biggest challenges was developing the range of skills I wanted to have as a barber. Having a creative background helped, but becoming versatile took years of repetition, learning from the right people, and being willing to see where I needed to improve.
I’ve faced obstacles along the way, both personally and professionally. I’ve learned to look at them as lessons, even when I couldn’t see it that way in the moment. Each one pushed me to keep growing and helped shape the barber and business owner I am today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I was an artist before I ever picked up a pair of clippers. Growing up, I painted on canvases, made custom T-shirts, and worked on murals. I even owned a tattoo machine before I owned clippers because I thought tattooing might be my path.
Barbering gave me another way to use that creativity. Around 2018, I became especially interested in improving my shear work, so I sought hands-on training from some of the top professionals in the industry. I wanted to be versatile and give every client a strong haircut, whether they wanted something classic or something more expressive. I’m especially drawn to creative cuts and designs, where I can bring my background as an artist into the work.
I’m proud of the time I’ve put into developing my craft and of building Break Bread Barber Co. into two shops. My artistic background shapes how I see a haircut, but the years of practice behind it are what allow me to bring an idea to life.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Enjoying time in nature with my family
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Breakbreadbarber.com
- Instagram: Breakbread801
- Facebook: Break Bread Barber Co.
