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Business: C’zar Male Barber Lounge
Address: 237 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville
Owner: Eric Sowa, 38, of Naperville
What does your business do? “We have a niche. We’re not a factory barbershop, meaning we create an experience,” Sowa said. “Before, no one looked forward to their haircuts. We take our time here. Forty-five minutes. We’ll wash your hair, we’ll customize your haircut to what type of hair you have. Long hair to short hair to fades to razor haircuts to everything. We create an experience guys are not used to.
“I worked at a salon. What we did with females all their lives, why aren’t guys getting this experience? … Guys are caring about how they look. I have three different product lines for each hair type.”
Hair types? “There’s fine hair, there’s curly hair, there’s coarse hair, there’s thick hair, there’s more dense hair. There’s so much more involved. When we get a new team member, they have to go through a training program before they even get on the floor. We have expectations. … Everyone who comes in here, they really feel the experience from start to finish.”
What’s the experience? “When you come in, you’ll be greeted. We’ll what to know who you are. A consultation. I’ll look at what you’re wearing. I’ll be asking about what you do. What your lifestyle is. What type of maintenance do you do with your hair. How much maintenance do you want to do with your hair? Do you want to towel dry your hair, put some product in and be out the door? Do you like to style it? Blow dry it?
This sign gives customers an idea of what they can expect at C’zar Male Barber Lounge on West Jefferson Avenue in downtown Naperville. (Steve Metsch / Naperville Sun)
“We do lifestyle haircuts. After the first week, second week, third week, fourth week, your hair is always going to look good the way we cut it.”
What makes you happy? “It’s nice when you get a client (who says), ‘For the first time in my life, I actually got a compliment on my hair.’ If you don’t get compliments, there’s something wrong with that.”
Any negatives? “It can be emotionally draining. A lot of people say we’re a psychologist too. … We hear everything. It sticks to us. … Sometimes after work I turn off my phone and I have to be silent.”
What sets you apart? “Us guys don’t have a place to go and shut off for 45 minutes. Come in here, forget about the world, forget about the problems, especially now. It is really nice that guys are looking forward to their hair appointments. Before it was a chore, ‘I’ve got to go get a haircut.’ … I love dealing with men because men are the most loyal.”
What’s your background? “I was a project manager. … I got my cosmetology license, started doing women’s hair, I was booked out, had a personal assistant, it was great. I found a liking to men’s grooming because of myself and it grew into a love. I went back to barber school. If I visit another state, I have to step into a barbershop. I’m obsessed with barbershops. … This is my safe zone.”
Why hair? “In high school, I was a hair model at hair shows. … Never thought about doing it for a living. I was in the business world, but the corporate structure was not for me. I felt like a robot. … I quit my job and went to cosmetology school. I was 24. I’m so glad I did that.”
Any future plans? “We’re expanding. We have two chairs here. We’re going to four chairs. I’ve been building a new location now, it’s in the heart of downtown, in the courtyard by Barnes & Noble. It used to be Amber Waves. I gutted it completely, 232 S. Washington. We’ll open in spring. It’s taken a while, but I want it perfect. … We’re going to be rebranding. Barber Haus.”
How many people work here? “Me and two full-time barbers. I hired two more barbers. My content creator answers phones and takes pictures for our social media. Another barber is coming in over the summer.”
What’s the best part of being in Naperville? “Our business is growing while Naperville is growing.”
How has the virus impacted your business? “It’s been the best thing for us. We were closed March 17 to May 29 (in 2020). I told my team to take advantage, reboot, take time for yourself, recharge.”
Any favorite stories? “I love giving somebody something they didn’t know they could do with their hair.”
What’s your advice for someone starting a business? “I started small. That was the best thing. And I have a lot of mentors and coaches. … If you really don’t’ love what you do, it won’t work.”
Steve Metsch is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune. Business: C’zar Male Barber Lounge Address: 237 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville Owner: Eric Sowa, 38, of Naperville What does your business do? “We have a niche. We’re not a factory barbershop, meaning we create an experience,” Sowa said. “Before, no one looked forward to their haircuts. We take our time here. Forty-five minutes. We’ll wash your hair, we’ll customize your haircut to what type of hair you have. Long hair to short hair to fades to razor haircuts to everything. We create an experience guys are not used to. “I worked at a salon. What we did with females all their lives, why aren’t guys getting this experience? … Guys are caring about how they look. I have three different product lines for each hair type.” Hair types? “There’s fine hair, there’s curly hair, there’s coarse hair, there’s thick hair, there’s more dense hair. There’s so much more involved. When we get a new team member, they have to go through a training program before they even get on the floor. We have expectations. … Everyone who comes in here, they really feel the experience from start to finish.” What’s the experience? “When you come in, you’ll be greeted. We’ll what to know who you are. A consultation. I’ll look at what you’re wearing. I’ll be asking about what you do. What your lifestyle is. What type of maintenance do you do with your hair. How much maintenance do you want to do with your hair? Do you want to towel dry your hair, put some product in and be out the door? Do you like to style it? Blow dry it? This sign gives customers an idea of what they can expect at C’zar Male Barber Lounge on West Jefferson Avenue in downtown Naperville. (Steve Metsch / Naperville Sun) “We do lifestyle haircuts. After the first week, second week, third week, fourth week, your hair is always going to look good the way we cut it.” What makes you happy? “It’s nice when you get a client (who says), ‘For the first time in my life, I actually got a compliment on my hair.’ If you don’t get compliments, there’s something wrong with that.” Any negatives? “It can be emotionally draining. A lot of people say we’re a psychologist too. … We hear everything. It sticks to us. … Sometimes after work I turn off my phone and I have to be silent.” What sets you apart? “Us guys don’t have a place to go and shut off for 45 minutes. Come in here, forget about the world, forget about the problems, especially now. It is really nice that guys are looking forward to their hair appointments. Before it was a chore, ‘I’ve got to go get a haircut.’ … I love dealing with men because men are the most loyal.” What’s your background? “I was a project manager. … I got my cosmetology license, started doing women’s hair, I was booked out, had a personal assistant, it was great. I found a liking to men’s grooming because of myself and it grew into a love. I went back to barber school. If I visit another state, I have to step into a barbershop. I’m obsessed with barbershops. … This is my safe zone.” Why hair? “In high school, I was a hair model at hair shows. … Never thought about doing it for a living. I was in the business world, but the corporate structure was not for me. I felt like a robot. … I quit my job and went to cosmetology school. I was 24. I’m so glad I did that.” Any future plans? “We’re expanding. We have two chairs here. We’re going to four chairs. I’ve been building a new location now, it’s in the heart of downtown, in the courtyard by Barnes & Noble. It used to be Amber Waves. I gutted it completely, 232 S. Washington. We’ll open in spring. It’s taken a while, but I want it perfect. … We’re going to be rebranding. Barber Haus.” How many people work here? “Me and two full-time barbers. I hired two more barbers. My content creator answers phones and takes pictures for our social media. Another barber is coming in over the summer.” What’s the best part of being in Naperville? “Our business is growing while Naperville is growing.” How has the virus impacted your business? “It’s been the best thing for us. We were closed March 17 to May 29 (in 2020). I told my team to take advantage, reboot, take time for yourself, recharge.” Any favorite stories? “I love giving somebody something they didn’t know they could do with their hair.” What’s your advice for someone starting a business? “I started small. That was the best thing. And I have a lot of mentors and coaches. … If you really don’t’ love what you do, it won’t work.” Steve Metsch is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.