Choppin’ it Up with Chuck
I first met Chuck Falk through a shared employment opportunity. At different periods of time, we both worked at Brigade, a boutique locally owned and operated in Beachwood, Ohio. During my time at Brigade, I was in the market for a new barber. When I asked around for recommendations, the unanimous suggestion was Chuck. At that time, Chuck was newer to his craft, but he already had people raving about his creativity and style.
I first sat in Chuck’s chair in 2014 when he was working at Eddy’s Barbershop in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. After moving around for work for a few years, I made my way back to the Cleveland area in 2020. I knew that one of the first appointments I had to make when I moved back was with Chuck at his new shop, Principle Barbershop located in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Chuck is the owner of Principle, and also maintains 13-16 haircuts a day. Even though he is incredibly busy with his responsibilities as an owner, each time I sit down for a haircut the attention to detail paired with our in-depth conversations about fashion, publications and family feels authentic and thorough.
I interviewed the guy known as, “The Boss” to his employees about his inspiration, future plans and how he’s been navigating this challenging year.
What’s a typical day look like for you?
A 6:00am kick or slap in the body from my three year old daughter.
7:20am pancakes with sprinkles.
8:02am a sweaty kiss goodbye from my workout-obsessed wife.
10:00am-7:00pm, I’m doing 13-16 haircuts on a good day.
How long have you been a barber?
My first day at The Akron Barber College was September 26th 2011!
“I felt like there was a void in my life without a real skill.”
What made you decide to choose that career path?
I made the decision to stop what I was doing and make a change because I felt the need to be creative. I felt like there was a void in my life without a real "skill.” Yes, I graduated from college with a bachelor of science. Yes, I was gaining experience in "the real world" but I was missing something. I felt if I could learn a trade I could work anywhere, look however I wanted, and ultimately one day be my own boss. Barbering is what I chose to learn and over the last 10 years I'm still trying to be the best at it.
Where did the name, “Principle” come from?
By definition Principle is a fundamental truth; it’s your belief system. I believe in giving good haircuts to people who appreciate great quality haircuts, so to me there isn't a better name! I believe in a shit-ton more than good haircuts, but I thought it made sense for the shop. Also there's a Coen brothers movie where Billy Bob Thornton plays a barber set in the 50s or 60s. In the film there's a line when Billy Bob is describing the owner of the shop as the "Principal barber" and I've always thought that sounded so good. . . it just rolls off the tongue.
“Save your money. Use someone else’s money. And KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid).”
What are some tips that you may have for someone who wants to start their own business?
Save your money. Use someone else's money. And KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid).
What are some advantages of being surrounded by other local businesses?
The best advantage is being surrounded by The Van Aken District . The instant community that has been created since the opening in 2018 is overwhelming. All the people there, whether merchants or patrons, have this burning want for the district itself to succeed. You can just feel it walking down the sidewalk. We share customers, we all support each other, and the developers are our friends! Where else can you shop, eat, exercise, and have a personal relationship with almost everyone around you?
I know the pandemic has challenged a lot of business owners these past 6 months. Are there any advantages that your business has experienced?
Advantages in the haircutting business right now are hard to find. Due to Covid-19, times are tough and most of our client base are getting less haircuts. On the positive side we have been able to survive because of our strong and loyal following. These men and women keep the lights on and food at our families' tables. Supporting any small business as much as you can right now means more than ever, and it makes me feel especially needed in the community. I can't say thank you enough to our clientele!
Has the pandemic shifted any of your business plans moving forward?
Well yeah, I mean now business goals are kind of paused because we're turning our chairs less. We’re still turning them, just at a lower frequency. So until there is a substantial shift in the health of the world, we need to focus on the now and hope there's a then!
Tell me about your background in fashion, and how it influenced your career as a barber.
In high school I started to become interested in mainstream fashion. Not sure why, but I would look at "the girl" magazines in study hall like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar just to see designer stuff. Got made fun of for that, but don't forget they were magazines full of beautiful women, so I never understood why. GQ was always available too. I just became interested in designers and expensive things. I guess I blame my dad for that.
Fast forward to my fashion merchandising major at Kent State, I learned the business side of the industry and the science behind shopping, which includes merchandising a store to tell a story that will in turn help maximize sales. I ended up at NY fashion week a couple seasons, landed an unpaid internship with Opening Ceremony (they didn't like me because I wore the same cut-off true religions and beat up vans everyday). I got really good at getting their coffee too!
How did this influence my career as a barber? I wouldn’t find out for a few more years until I walked into a barbershop for a $100 straight razor face shave and a haircut circa 09'.
I’ll never forget that, and the barber who cut my hair, Joey. It was such a life changing experience. I flew to New York once just to get a shave and haircut a few months after and told Joey I was going to become a barber. A little more than a year later I was in barber school starting from scratch!
What does Principle Barbershop look like in the next 5 years?
Well I signed a 10 year lease so hopefully it looks open. I have bigger ideas and goals for Principle, not quite ready to talk about them just yet, but I will say hopefully in five years Principle Barbershop is more than a place to get your haircut.
Tell me about your recent experience at Mildred New York.
My Mildred experience was so needed! I've known Rob for many years, through mutual friends, and we’ve been connected ever since he allowed me to shadow him while I was in barber school. I had not traveled to New York in ages and when the opportunity came to work a day at Mildred I couldn't wait to go! 2020 was supposed to be the year where I traveled to a couple states and cut hair in different shops just to see how others did it and soak up as much as possible so I could bring home new and exciting ideas for my shop. Thanks a lot Covid-19.
I was actually in New York the week before the shutdown happened. The feeling around the shop was nervous that we would be closed down. New York seemed to be a little less prepared than Ohio. I had a Purell squirt every time I touched a door or handshake. But other than that it was such an amazing experience to walk into one of my favorite shops and actually cut alongside one of my favorite barbers like it was no big deal. I hope to return once the pandemic is lifted.
What are some of your sources of inspiration?
I think in order to be successful you need to be inspired by a lot of things. I'm inspired by kindness. For the people in my life, I'm inspired by my wife and daughter. Being a barber inspires me and I don't even realize I’m cutting hair because it’s second nature and then I realize that I'm doing what I love. So I want to keep doing what I love to keep people feeling great about themselves so when they look in the mirror they are inspired to do what they love!
If you weren’t a barber, what would you be doing?
It's hard to say. . . for most of my college years my goal was to become a production manager of a fashion company. I wanted to help purchase each season's fabrics, buttons, and zippers. I wanted to make sure everything was produced on time and shipped out to retailers around the world, but living in Cleveland, Ohio the closest I could get to that was going to get Dan Ely's coffee everyday. I got really good at adding the perfect amount of milk to his venti americano to match the color 1302 of his Common Projects.
