Patrick Imholte
My name is Patrick Imholte and i am a barber, I was born and raised my whole life in Saint Paul. To be a barber means to take care of the people, that’s what motivates me the most, the people. Barbering allows me to put peace in the world one person at a time and for me there is great responsibility in that. It’s so much more than just a haircut, really it’s like therapy for most men going to the barber. Cutting hair is only 10% of our job the rest is listening and giving advice. Barbering is my passion and I am lucky to have found that. What we do is not just giving a haircut, barbering can have an immense impact on people’s lives. When a guy walks in the door and says he landed the new job or went on a date and has girlfriend, those are all things that motivate me, we have an immense impact on the community at a generational level and I’m grateful to be a part of that.
I have traveled all across the states and also have been lucky in that I get to travel often and train with other barbers/stylists/shops all while being exposed to new people, foods, and cultures. I’ve developed many great friendships throughout the trade, Training abroad under some of the top barbers in my industry I’ve really gotten to learn not just how to cut hair but how to be a barber, it’s my life and not really a switch I turn off ever. Being a barber is about taking care of the people, and we’re connected in many unique ways. Giving a man a haircut before a job interview is one example both metaphorically and sometimes literally speaking of how our art has life outside of the shop. We get to be a part of new chapters even if we’re not there in the present when they happen for our customers. I never use marketing with my work because the person is that.
This shop represents me, my family, and Saint Paul. Something much more than a shop but a culture of my industry that is becoming a thing of the past. Another goal of mine is to give back to young guys that don’t have a ton of direction, teach them a trade with their hands and teach them how to carry themselves through the craft of barbering. Really my goal is to just give back to Saint Paul and all the wonderful people in it, they’ve all done so much for me and being in a position to do that I’ll feel like a winner, even if it’s simply a haircut.