Filipino barber, once an orphan, found a career in helping Kansans look their best
Josh Pacubas has overcome quite a bit in his life and now takes pride in being a positive voice for the people who come into his Johnson County barber shop.
Pacubas faced a tough time growing up in the Philippines as an orphan. His was a baby when his father died in a shooting and his mother died shortly afterwards. He does remember that for several years as a young child life was tough, working before school selling bread and collecting glass bottles off the streets making five to seven pesos a day.
Pacubas was eventually adopted by his paternal aunt when he was eight years old and moved to the United States where he then struggled to adjust to the change.
As an adult, Pacubas worked a variety of jobs that he said left him feeling unfulfilled. It wasn’t until a friend suggested barbering that he seemed to find his calling. He trained to master the skill as a barber and opened De Luxe Studios, at 5817 Johnson Drive, Mission, Kansas.
Since opening his shop Pacubas, 32, has created a welcoming environment that is open to people of all backgrounds.
Recently, Pacubas sat down with The Kansas City Star’s culture and identity reporter, J.M. Banks, to talk about the challenges he faced as a child transitioning to a new life in the US and how he found his passion as a barber.
Banks: Can you begin by telling me about your early life and upbringing?
Pacubas: I’m originally from Davao City, Philippines. I moved here in 2002, I think I was 7 or 8. My biological parents actually died when I was a baby. So for the longest time I kind of jumped around from family to family and I was supposed to be adopted by my aunt but that didn’t work out. My parents here now, they adopted my sister first and we were separated for like 10 years. Then in 2002 my parents were able to take me in. My mom who adopted me is my biological father’s sister.
What were those early years like in the Philippines after your parents’ death?
I didn’t have people to look up to and I just didn’t have role models back home. So I did a lot of bad things. It was pretty rough. We were poor. As a kid I used to wake up in the morning and my friend’s family had a bakery so I would sell bread in the village for money. I would collect bottles and sell them back to the stores.
What were those first years in the United States like for you?
It was very difficult. I didn’t know how to speak English and in class I would just sit and draw. My mom would have me bring a notebook to school and the teacher would write down everything we did in class so she could make sure I was learning everything they were doing in class when I got home. My mom was really strict.
Can you tell me about your work
I got into cutting hair when I was 26 but for the longest time I was always working in customer service. I used to work at a retail store, I was a technician, then I sold cars and I did life insurance. By the time I was 26 I was working a warehouse job and I really didn’t like that job at all. I went to my friend for a haircut and he asked why I don’t try barbering. I bought some clippers after that and I had a goal to leave my nine to five by the time I was 30. Those first few years I tried to do apprenticeships but I got screwed twice so I went to barber school full-time when I was 29 and graduated at 30.
What made you want to go into those particular areas for a career?
What made me know that it was the perfect career for me is when I was making people feel good. I love me making people smile and just the satisfaction of building relationships. It has opened so many doors for me and I have met so many people. You never know who will sit in your chair. We are like therapists, everybody tells us what’s happening in their life.
What is the environment in the shop like?
I have worked at multiple shops and some are very toxic. I created a safe space for my barbers and for clients. We wanted to have a shop that feels like home and that welcomes everyone.
What are the challenges that you face in your career?
I think the most challenging thing about being a barber and as a small business owner is finding the right people that see your whole vision. A lot of these shops don’t really care about the person, they are just a number. So I am really big on having camaraderie with the whole team. I don’t forget where I came from so we do cuts for the homeless and a lot of the guys here volunteer their services all the time to give back to the community. But building a solid shop is the hardest part and getting people to buy into your vision.
How do you feel your work impacts the community around you?
A haircut can really change somebody’s morale. When someone feels good about the way they look it makes them feel good, just in general.
What is the most fulfilling part of your work?
I think the most fulfilling thing is when my clients they tell me something, I get to tell them to go for it and just be a positive voice for them and that is the most fulfilling part for me.
Do you have a personal motto or philosophy that guides you?
The slogan at the shop is experience with us. What that means is I am big on customer service and having a rapport with them.
What are your goals for the future?
I want to open multiple locations and expand the brand. That is like the biggest thing. I want to be known in the city and known in the city for our professionalism.
What advice would you give to someone who is looking to follow the same career path as you?
I would tell them that location is very important. Make sure that you find the right place and you set the tone for your standards.
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This story was originally published November 2, 2024 at 6:00 AM.
