Barbershop Backstory
- whotellsyourstoryu
- Jul 26, 2018
- 2 min read
Name: Gerson Lemus
Major: Business Administration; Concentration: Marketing
Class of 2018
Moving away from home to go to UCR was one of the most drastic decisions of my life. I was
uncertain what my future would be like here and I must admit, I was a bit timid. Coming to a
school with 20,000+ students was scary, but I was ready for the challenge. I pushed myself to
get through all the late night studying, stress from finals, missing family events, facing financial
hardships, and all-nighters that were needed to succeed. Overcoming that adversity and going
out of my comfort zone helped mold me become the man I am today. I studied abroad in
Barcelona, Spain for a quarter and it was the highlight of my college career. It brought
me so much joy and life, but most importantly it opened me to a new perspective I did not have
before. It truly pushed me to reach my potential and I came back to UCR even more
determined.
I began cutting hair in high school and continued doing it in the dorms and
throughout college because it is something I am passionate about. In my senior year, I decided
to open up my own business to benefit the community and the student life by creating a hair
lounge that is different than many of the competitors in the area. J’Bez Barbershop & Salon is
designed to offer an experience that students and residents in Riverside will highly enjoy. I’m
very excited to see what the future holds now that I have graduated and can focus on my
career. Thank you Highlanders for making the past 4 years unforgettable. I hope my story
inspires young entrepreneurs out there trying to make something big for themselves. My
advice is to always work your hardest through all the ups and downs; it is tough but it will
be rewarding at the end.
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