{ A WO”MAN’S” WORLD }
GIA MARIE – WONDER WOMAN OF THE MEN’S BARBERSHOP WORLD BY AUDREY AVIRETT I PHOTOS BY
Gia Marie has been the proud owner of Barber Cuts, located on Lake Road in Brockport, NY, since June of 2014. Barber Cuts is a Men’s Barbershop offering upscale service at an affordable price. At Barber Cuts you can expect a clean, comfortable, and professional atmosphere where you can receive haircuts and hot towel shaves. Skincare services will also be offered within the year.
school. “Now he’s about to graduate… Man, where has the time gone? I will say this… Being a mom to my son, Jagger, has been one of my greatest achievements! He’s off to college in the Fall to study Mechanical Engineering, and he has made his parents extremely proud!”
Being such a hardworking and dedicated business owner is both a blessing and a struggle for Gia. Business for the Barbershop has tripled over the past 4 years. By providing the best possible service for all of her clients, she has made genuine friendships and maintained a loyal client base. Living and working in a College Town has also been an added advantage because she always has a new set of Freshmen that need haircuts and new styles. Sounds like business is BOOMING, so where’s the struggle? “Recently I have had some medical issues, as well as being short staffed, which makes for some challenging days at the shop. Most of my clients are understanding, but sometimes you can’t make everyone happy. I just have to remind people, ‘I’m only human!’ I’ve been nicknamed Wonder Woman by some of my Clients!”
What’s so special and different about Barber Cuts? Well, Gia Marie explained how being a woman with a Men’s Barbershop can be, “Anytime you work with the public you have to remember that you have to take the good with the bad… I’m a woman that owns a Men’s Barbershop, and that may not sit well with some people.” Regardless of the occasional backlash and negative responses from some about her gender in this industry, Gia has managed to run a very successful business and bring in a diverse clientele over the years. She has proven her loyalty and appreciation for her customers, and everyone is treated like royalty at Barber Cuts. She truly is a hardworking woman in a “man’s world”. Gia is originally from Rochester, NY, and she has lived in various places including: Las Vegas (Nevada), Oahu - Waikiki (Hawaii), Phoenix (Arizona), and Seattle (Washington). She decided to move back to Rochester with her family in 2005 so that she could be closer to family and have her son start fresh in 174
ROCHESTER WOMAN ONLINE :: MEN’S EDITION 2018
first project was turning a cigar store into a Barbershop… Lots of work went into the transformation, but it’s amazing what you can do when you’re focused and do much of the work yourself! I am a Carpenter’s daughter, and I’m pretty handy with a hammer and a screwdriver!”
Her family has been more than supportive of her journey as a Men’s Barbershop owner. They are her driving inspiration and motivation to do the best that she can do with whatever means possible. “The
Gia explained that it’s hard to find professional quality people that have the same vision and the drive required. “I have had some wonderful Barbers over the years, and I wish they were still with me… Some have moved away, and some went on to try and do their own thing. However, I’m always looking