V's News

ESPN Feature: A Special Perk For PGA Tour Players

February 3, 2012 | ESPN

When you can’t get away for the little things like getting a haircut, sometimes on the PGA Tour, the barber comes to you.

0 Comments | Filed under:

V’s Talega Wins Best of San Clemente Gold

February 1, 2012 | San Clemente Times

Congratulations V’s Talega for winning Best of San Clemente! Check out the article below.

0 Comments | Filed under:

V’s Del Mar Wins Best of North Coast 2011

January 24, 2012 | Del Mar Times

This special section features the Gold, Silver and Bronze place finishers in the popular 2011 “Best Of” contest for various businesses and professional services in Rancho Santa Fe, Del Mar, Carmel Valley and Solana Beach.

Congratulations to all those who won honors and were nominated. Not only is this a very competitive field as the North Coastal area boasts many of the top businesses and professionals in San Diego, the country’s economy over the past few years has made it more of a challenge than ever for businesses to thrive.

For these businesses to not only thrive but excel is a testament to the skill, dedication and expertise of their owners and staff.
Thanks, also, to the many readers of the Rancho Santa Fe Review/Del Mar Times/Carmel Valley News and Solana Beach Sun for taking the time to vote and show these businesses that the quality of their services are admired and appreciated.

Businesses are the foundation of the American economy and an integral part of every community. With this special section we salute the businesses and professionals that serve our communities so well!

BEST HAIR SALON
Rocco’s Hair Design
Beauty Bundles
V’s Barbershop

0 Comments | Filed under:

V’s Joplin Featured on NBC

December 2, 2011 | KSN NBC

Check out this video featuring our new V’s Barbershop in Joplin!

0 Comments | Filed under:

Wally Kennedy: V’s is latest in men’s barbershops

November 21, 2011 | The Joplin Globe

November 19, 2011
By Wally Kennedy

This town is buzzing with new barbershops. The latest is V’s Barbershop at 2917 S. Main St.

Lucia Crawford, the owner, has taken a house and converted it into an old-fashioned barbershop with upscale decor. It has six fully-restored, 1950s-era Koken barber chairs. I understand these chairs are called “The King’s Chair’’ by those in the trade.

Sitting in one reminds me of the trips I made to Berry’s Barbershop at 3217 S. Main St. to get a haircut with my father. That barbershop disappeared decades ago, but the memories are just as real as if they happened yesterday. Of course, it was easy for a 10-year-old boy to get a haircut back then. It was a crew cut.

The crew cut, favored by the armed forces during World War II, became a civilian fashion for men in the 1950s and early 1960s. You used something called butch wax to make the front part stand up and stay in one place. By the late 1960s, short hair was out and long hair was in. The crew cut is still fashionable in some camps today, but I have too many dents and dings up top to get one now.

It was the tradition, the ritual if you will, that made going to the barbershop such a guy thing. When men get together in a barber shop, they talk about things that men like to talk about. Back then, it was Cardinals baseball — some things don’t change — fishing, hunting and the latest models of Fords and Chevys. Back then, there were virtually no imports.

It’s that ritual that inspired Jim Valenzuela, of Phoenix, Ariz., to open the first V’s Barbershop in 1999. He wanted to take his son to an old-fashioned barbershop just as his father had, but he couldn’t find one. You can get the full treatment at V’s, including an old-fashioned shave with a hot towel and a shoulder massage.

V’s in Joplin is the 15th shop in the chain and the first in Missouri. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Gift cards are available.

V’s is the third barbershop to open on Main Street. The others are T’s One-Stop Barbershop at 809 S. Main St., and the Brush and Blade Grooming Parlor, 1027 S. Main St.

0 Comments | Filed under: News

V’s Barbershop - It’s a Guy Thing

September 23, 2011 | atgeist.com

Co-owner Chad Renbarger sits outside his 116th and Olio Road location in Fishers. Sorry gals… the business cards and promotional materials say it all. They read, “V’s Barbershop – It’s a Guy Thing.”

And now Fishers – specifically, 11687 Olio Road at Geist Landing – is the site of Indiana’s first V’s Barbershop, a place where guys can get shampoos, haircuts, old-fashioned hot lather straight-razor shaves, shoe shines and more. There’s no girlie salon or spa feel here. Just an hour, at least, of services geared solely for “successful men who value appearance and take pride in their grooming habits,” according to the website.

Co-owners Chad Renbarger and Bryan Wade, who are friends and Fishers neighbors, opened V’s Barbershop in July, with a grand opening on August 5. And it’s been a packed house ever since.

“When Bryan and I went into this business, we knew there was some risk, given the state of the economy and all,” said Renberger. “But we quickly found out that people will pay for high quality services and the overall experience, which includes about 34 individual steps.”

The first V’s Barbershop opened in 1999 in Phoenix, Arizona. It was the brainchild of Jim Valenzuela (hence the “V”). His goal was to create a great old-time barbershop for himself and his son that would help him create memories for the two of them. His mantra was simple – make sure the visit to the barber was a relaxing pleasure and not a chore. What he has created today is the nostalgia of yesteryear with a modern twist. So far, there are shops in Arizona, California, Texas, New Jersey, Mississippi, Washington and now one in Indiana.

“Today is my first time coming to V’s Barbershop,” said Justin Chesnut. “And I am definitely coming back. It’s close to my home, it’s tailored for men, there are things for the kids to do while their dads are in the chair and an owner is on site all the time. I like that.”

Renbarger says he grew up going with his dad to the barbershop and has fond memories of those experiences. While not a barber himself, Renbarger understands the importance of hiring only the best and appreciates the diversity necessary so that all barbers know how to work with all types of hair and hairstyles. He says the key to a wonderful experience lies with the person providing your services.

The inside of V’s Barbershop is truly a step back in time, with its black and white checkered floors, solid wood cabinetry and collection of classic sports photos and memorabilia on the walls. The barbers all wear smocks and the wonderful scents of high-end men’s products fill the air.

But just to be fair, V’s Barbershop attracts women, too. First, gift cards from V’s for men’s services are a fantastic idea for the guy who has everything. And second, women are now dropping off their shoes and boots for old-fashioned hand shoeshines.

Besides creating a fantastic environment, Renbarger and Wade are determined to give back to the community and are doing so. They have already given contributions and proceeds from some events to various Hamilton Southeastern and Fishers High School sporting teams and events.

“The bottom line is that I love raising my family in Hamilton County and we love the family-oriented feel,” said Renbarger. “It just seems fitting for Bryan and me to operate a business here, create memories for dads and their sons and give back to the community. We’re off to a really great start!”

V’s Barbershop is open seven days a week. Appointments are needed Monday through Friday, with walk-ins welcome on the weekends. For more information or to make an appointment, call 317-845-8122, or view a complete list of services at www.vbarbershop.com. You can also “like” them on Facebook by searching V’s Barbershop-Fishers.

0 Comments | Filed under: News

Del Mar: V’s Barbershop offers quality service with a community feel

August 7, 2011 | Del Mar Times

By Kelley Carlson
Contributor

It seems as if the new V’s Barbershop in Del Mar has created some buzz.

“We’ve had great traffic and growth, and we’re finding that a vast majority of our customers like calling in advance and making appointments,” owner Scott McDaniel said. “We’ve had quite a few ‘sold-out’ days already. We’re also exploring the possibility of online booking in the future. Our business has grown month over month, and we’re proud to say we’re over 50 percent repeat business on a daily basis. People really enjoy their experience; they come back as regulars and are telling their friends.”

Open since the end of March, the V’s location at 2683 Via de la Valle, Suite H, in the Del Mar zip code area just east of I-5, is the first in San Diego County. The chain has 14 locations throughout the country, with a 15th expected to open soon in Joplin, Mo.

McDaniel said that “luckily” for his customers, he does not get “behind the chair and perform any of the actual services.” His background is mostly in the video game industry, having spent more than 19 years in sales, marketing and management roles at software companies such as Extent Technologies and Sony Online Entertainment. The L.A. native has a degree in business management from Pepperdine University, and moved to Del Mar in 2000.

In 2002, McDaniel was vacationing in Phoenix when some friends of his took him to V’s Barbershop for “The Works” (shave, haircut, shampoo and conditioner).

“I fell in love with the service, the style and the locals/community feel of the place,” he said. “The conversations were engaging, the place had a really masculine feel, and the service was great. It wasn’t just the haircut — my wife liked that — but the whole experience that really sold me. Up till then, I was your typical midcareer man who viewed getting a haircut as a chore — kind of like going to the dentist,” he said with a smile in an e-mail.
“Once I experienced a truly enjoyable barbershop, I was hooked,” he added. “So I searched and searched — and unfortunately (or fortunately) could not find a quality place/experience anywhere locally. My business mind kicked in, and I knew that opening a V’s (franchise) here would be a great thing, both for the local residents and the local community.”

As the owner of V’s in Del Mar, McDaniel focuses on customer service, business development and sweeping the floor. There are five barbers on staff — male and female — and several have both barber and cosmetology backgrounds.

“We try to make sure every customer is perfectly matched with the right barber,” McDaniel said.

V’s Barbershop’s signature services include haircuts and styles, shaves and facial massages. The first five minutes a customer spends with the barber involves a consultation, discussing styles, so the barber can give the client exactly what he wants.

“The haircuts here are what really show our commitment to service — they take typically 30 minutes and everyone includes a hot-lather neck shave and hot towel shoulder massage,” McDaniel said. “It really is relaxing, plus you look great afterward.”

The most popular package is “The Works,” which includes a haircut, shampoo/conditioner treatment and a hot towel, hot-lather shave. It takes about an hour, he said.

The shaves at V’s are a 21-step process that involves five hot towels, multiple applications of crémes and skin conditioners, then applying hot lather and a “sure hand” with the straight razor (two separate passes) to get a smooth finish, McDaniel said. A skin moisturizer, conditioner and cold towel are applied at the end.

“All of our services have a ‘little something extra’ that makes the overall V’s experience just that … an ‘experience,’ ” McDaniel said. “We’re not a quick cut ‘chop shop’ or a ‘salon’ or a ‘unisex, all for one’ place, we’re an old-school barbershop with great traditional services in a progressive, masculine environment.”

Haircuts cost $25 and shaves are priced at $30; packages run from $55 to $80. Discounts are offered to fathers/sons/grandfathers who get a haircut together.

Hours are from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome, as well. McDaniel indicated that mornings are usually less busy than the afternoons.

For more information or to make an appointment, call (858) 481-4321. V’s Barbershop is also online at http://vbarbershop.com/locations/del-mar.

0 Comments | Filed under:

V’s BARBERSHOP OPEN at GEIST LANDING IN FISHERS

July 12, 2011

0 Comments | Filed under: PR

Igor Ilyabayev: A cut above rest

July 8, 2011 | Arizona Business Gazette/The Arizona Republic

Although the profession has been in Igor Ilyabayev’s heritage, being a barber wasn’t the career the owner of V’s Barbershop locations in Phoenix and Scottsdale always had in mind.

But at the age of 19, Ilyabayev, who hails from Uzbekistan’s capital of Tashkent, changed his mind and decided to follow in the footsteps of his father, uncle and aunt.

“At first, I didn’t want to go into the family business. My father convinced me, so I had something to fall back on,” Ilyabayev said.

While in barber school, Ilyabayev discovered he enjoyed the craft, which suited his outgoing personality.

“You always had someone new to talk to. I’m a people person, so I thought, ‘This is good for me,’ ” he said.

After spending nearly a decade as a barber in the company’s original Arcadia location, Ilyabayev decided to purchase and open his own shop in north Phoenix in 2008. Success there led to the recent opening of his Scottsdale location, making him the first V’s franchisee to open multiple barbershops.

Ilyabayev enjoyed his longtime employer so much that he let family members run his Phoenix shop as he continued to work at the Arcadia location. There, over the years he had watched children grow from feisty kindergartners to mature teenagers and established what he called a “very deep connection” with clients and their families.

Although it was difficult to leave Arcadia, bigger aspirations fueled a larger pursuit.

“It was because, how do you say . . . the American Dream. I saw an opportunity and I took it,” he said. “I was growing as a barber, and now I’m a businessman.”

Opening a business just as the economy started to take a dive was not ideal. Although Ilyabayev was concerned, he knew men still needed to get a haircut and maintain a groomed appearance.

Several of his customers lost their jobs in the wake of the recession, but they wanted to look good on interviews and feel better about themselves, he said. Soon, Ilyabayev saw his client base growing, and he was able to spend his time focusing exclusively on his new venture.

“I was stressing at first, but after a couple of months I saw the potential and the business growing. (Then) I wasn’t so much afraid,” he said. “They may cut out going out for dinners, but they still come in for the haircut. They had that to look forward to.”

Over the last 10 years, Ilyabayev has noticed a surge in popularity of the men’s barbershop, particularly those like his that offer extras like old-fashioned shaves, facials and shoe shines.

For eight years, Dave Chiasson, has been a client of Ilyabayev’s and V’s. Chiasson lives five minutes from Ilyabayev’s Scottsdale shop but had previously made regular lengthy drives to Arcadia and north Phoenix. Chiasson has gotten every service available but usually gets the Works package - a shampoo and cut, straight razor shave and shoe shine.

Chiasson has been going to barbers his entire life and raved about Ilyabayev’s professionalism, service and engaging personality. Ilyabayev has come in to cut Chiasson’s hair even on his scheduled day off.

“He always goes the extra mile and always puts forth the extra effort. He’s the best I’ve ever had,” Chiasson said. “He’s genuinely a nice guy and incredible family man. He’s always in a good mood.”

Excellent service to each client is what Ilyabayev said makes the difference and turns first-time customers into regular patrons. Keeping his shops clean and providing a nice atmosphere adds to the allure.

Ilyabayev spends most of his time at his Scottsdale location, leaving the Phoenix shop with his family. His father, Sam, brother Imanuel and wife, Yelena, are employees.

“We are very close. Family is important to me,” Ilyabayev said. “This is truly a family-run business.”

0 Comments | Filed under:

V’s Del Mar - Top Thing to Do on Father’s Day

June 20, 2011 | San Diego Union-Tribune

Father’s Day Guide:

Father’s Day is our time to celebrate everything we love about Dad, and this year it falls on Sunday, June, 19. Whether your dad loves rustic craft beer and BBQor finely tuned manscaping and classic rock music, we have the perfect way to spend Father’s Day.

4 | HOT LATHER & RAZOR SHAVE AT V’S BARBERSHOP
The brand new V’s Barbershop is reviving a classic father and son tradition. Offering old-fashion hot lather and straight razor staves, head and neck massages, and no-fuss haircuts and styling in vintage barber chairs, V’s is an old-time barbershop now set in the contemporary setting of Del Mar. This Father’s Day, treat dad to an afternoon of VIP grooming with the all-inclusive Whole Deal package, priced at $80. Or, fathers and sons are encouraged to come in together, and receive $1 off each haircut.

0 Comments | Filed under: