Today we’d like to introduce you to Erik “SqueakProBarber” Villafane.
Hi Erik “SqueakProBarber”, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
ERIK VILLAFANE BETTER KNOWN AS SQUEAKPROBARBER,
IS NOT ONLY A FIRST-CLASS EDUCATOR FOR JRL AND A
SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER, HE IS A LEGEND IN THE ARENA, WITH
OVER 43 BARBER BATTLE WINS TO HIS NAME. HERE, HE
TELLS US HIS REMARKABLE STORY…
Erik’s journey to the barbering world is not an
uncommon one; he began by cutting his own hair
as a kid, branching out to friends and family, but
never believing it would be his full-time career.
In fact, Erik originally wanted to be a cartoonist,
even gaining a scholarship for Rhode Island
School of Design.
As time passed, drawing began to fall to the
wayside, while Erik continued cutting hair, and
DJing, on the side. In 2005, he moved to Florida
and got a job in a barbershop, but, at least in the
beginning, it was simply a way to make money.
“When Instagram started getting big, that’s
when things changed for me. I started following
barbers and I looked at their shots and I was so
amazed by how clean and crisp their cuts looked,
even the quality of the picture was unreal,”
he explains. “I started taking shots of my own
work and it made me a better barber. I’d see
imperfections when I looked through the camera
and I’d go back and fix it.”
Around the same time, he went to his first barber battle, The very first battle
he entered; he came first place.
“I thought it was really cool and it was a whole different mindset so I just kept going… before I knew it, I was at 10, 15, 20 wins, now I have 43! It got to a point that every battle I went to, I was always placing in the top 3 – I felt like the
LeBron or Jordan of the barber battles!”
Erik “SqueakProBarber” opened up his own barbershop; Members Only Chop Shop.
“He was able to use his winnings from battles to open up his barbershop so he
didn’t have to be out of pocket, and in the shop he has this shrine with all of his trophies in it. It’s
funny when I think about it, Instagram was what
inspired me to become a better barber, it is what
led me to win barber battles and how I grew my
own social media,” he says. “I did a lot of online competitions too, like
Barbersinctv, and repost pages were huge back
then, so that helped me grow my presence. I
also spent a lot of time liking and engaging with
everyone else’s work, whether I knew them or
not, I wanted to share the love and give others
encouragement.”
Today, Squeak has a following of over 103,000,
and the numbers continue to climb. With such a
strong presence, it was inevitable that he would
attract the attention of brands like JRL, although
his first interaction with the brand was somewhat
unconventional.
“It was at one of the battles that put me on
their radar. I wanted to use one of the guys
from their booth as my model. They saw me cut
their guy and I ended up winning, then Drew
approached me to be on the team, they sent me
their clippers to try and at first, I didn’t think they
were right for me. I took some time and figured
out a system, and no lie – that’s the only clipper I
use now,” he laughs.
“It’s so weird because I was really unsure, and
then I changed the way I cut and that clipper
just made it so much easier. I was excited as
well because JRL wanted to learn from us, they
wanted my insight on how to create a great
clipper.”
As the partnership grew, JRL and Squeak
continued to work together to provide first class
education to the barber community and develop
a line of quality clippers and trimmers that were
inspired by the needs of the people who were
going to be using it: barbers.
I LOVE THAT JRL
ENCOURAGE US TO
GIVE FEEDBACK AND
CONTRIBUTE TO THE
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
PROCESS. I CAN’T WAIT
FOR PEOPLE TO SEE
THE NEW RANGE
BECAUSE IT’S GOING
TO BE INCREDIBLE!”
“The JRL model I like working with most is the
FreshFade 1000, the first one they ever gave me,
and it doesn’t even have any of the changes that
myself and the rest of the JRL team suggested
but it is my go-to clipper! I just think it’s so light
and easy to work with – but I also can’t wait to
see this new line of clippers and trimmers that I
helped influence.”
Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic,
the launch of the new JRL clippers and trimmers
was delayed, and, like so many, it is not the only
problem Squeak has had to face in the past few
months. Never one to shy away from a challenge,
he acquired and fully kitted out a second
barbershop in January, which he had hoped to
open in March.
“I didn’t expect the pandemic to have such a big
effect, and I’m not gonna lie, it has been difficult, it’s
been hard to find barbers, but the shop looks great,
we’re open and the clients are loving the look! Going
to appointment only was tough too, we had always
accepted walk-ins along with bookings.”
“Thankfully, I use Booksy so it made for a
smoother transition, that app makes my life so
much easier, each day I wake up and my schedule
is there waiting and I can just go. They have been
so great during this process as well, the way they
developed the ‘I’m Ready’ feature was amazing.”
As the industry begins to heal and move
forward, Squeak is excited for what the future
holds, from seeing the latest JRL clippers released,
to launching back into education and training
new barbers at the shop, even dreaming of one
day opening his own barber school. We can’t
wait to see what he does next.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
**My Journey as a Barber: Overcoming Challenges Through Dedication and Sacrifice**
Becoming a successful barber has been a journey marked by dedication, sacrifice, and unwavering passion. Like many in the industry, I faced numerous obstacles along the way, often balancing the demands of my craft with the needs of my family.
One of the most significant challenges was managing my time, especially when competing in barber battles. These competitions, which often took place on Sundays—traditionally family days—sometimes meant missing precious moments with my wife and son. Participating in these events required immense preparation and commitment, often at the expense of quality family time, which at times strained our relationships.
Additionally, opening my own barbershop demanded a considerable amount of time, effort, and labor. It involved countless hours of planning, hands-on work, and sacrifice, often putting my personal life on hold to turn my vision into reality. The journey was not easy, and there were moments of doubt, but my passion for the craft and my desire to provide a better future for my family kept me motivated.
Through perseverance and a deep commitment to my goals, I was able to overcome these hardships. I learned the importance of balancing my professional aspirations with my family life, ensuring that my sacrifices ultimately contributed to creating a legacy and a better life for those I love.
Today, I am proud of what I’ve accomplished—a thriving barbershop and a reputation built on hard work and integrity. My journey has taught me that success is not just about skill, but also about resilience, sacrifice, and the support of loved ones. I am grateful for the lessons learned along the way and remain committed to growing both personally and professionally.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Members Only Chop Shop: A Unique Blend of Tradition and Modern Style
Members Only Chop Shop is a distinguished barbershop that beautifully blends the rustic charm of a classic American barbershop with a contemporary perspective. Our establishment captures the timeless essence of traditional barbering, offering a full range of modern and old-fashioned grooming services. From precise scissor cuts and clipper fades to straight-edge razor shaves and hot towel treatments, our experienced, award-winning barbers deliver top-tier craftsmanship with attention to detail and professionalism.
What sets Members Only Chop Shop apart is our distinctive style and commitment to excellence. We pride ourselves on creating a one-of-a-kind environment that not only delivers exceptional grooming experiences but also elevates the standard of what a modern barbershop can be. Our unique aesthetic, complemented by our classic upscale attire, reinforces our brand’s identity and provides clients with an authentic yet refined atmosphere.
At Members Only Chop Shop, we believe in inspiring and motivating others to become leaders within their communities. Our brand stands for quality, tradition, and excellence, and we aim to set a high standard in the grooming industry. We are most proud of our reputation for craftsmanship, our welcoming environment, and the lasting relationships we build with our clients.
We want our audience to know that our barbershop is more than just a place for grooming—it’s a community hub that embodies heritage, style, and leadership. Whether you’re seeking a traditional shave or a modern haircut, Members Only Chop Shop is committed to providing an exceptional experience rooted in tradition and elevated by modern sophistication.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
While I believe that success is largely driven by hard work, dedication, and sacrifice, I also recognize that luck—both good and bad—has played a role in my journey. Good luck has often manifested in the form of opportunities to compete in barber battles, which helped me refine my craft and gain recognition in the industry. These moments, though competitive, provided valuable exposure and motivated me to push myself further.
On the other hand, I’ve also faced challenges that felt like bad luck—such as the sacrifices I made in balancing family time with my professional pursuits, including competing on Sundays and dedicating countless hours to opening and building Members Only Chop Shop. These experiences, while difficult, taught me resilience and reinforced my commitment to my goals.
Ultimately, I view luck as a catalyst that can either accelerate or hinder progress, but it’s the consistent effort, sacrifice, and perseverance I’ve invested that have truly shaped my success. I believe that with passion and determination, even the setbacks can be turned into stepping stones toward achieving my vision.
Pricing:
- Haircut $25
- Haircut and Beard $35
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.membersonlychopshop.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squeakprobarber
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/membersonlychopshop
