Start a Barbershop That Actually Rocks

Start a Barbershop That Actually Rocks - Shayne Brown

June 4, 2025 by Ewell Smith

Shayne Brown, Founder of Diesel Barbershops, breaks the norms.

Tired of cookie-cutter cuts and beige barbershops? If you’re thinking about opening a barbershop withbite—one that turns heads and builds loyalty—then you need more than just clippers and chairs. You need edge. The kind of vibe that blends grit, culture, and killer service. Here’s how to open a barbershop franchise that actually stands out.

Shayne Brown's 10 Close The Deal Mindset Success Quotes

“Focus on what’s important and discard the things that don’t matter.”
“The goal is to shortcut your path to success.”
“You’ve got to put in the work before the rewards show up.”
“Don’t think you know better—follow the system.”
“Being surrounded by great people makes all the difference.”
“The experience should speak for itself.”
“We’re not successful unless the franchisees are successful.”
“You need to understand your client, your staff, and your business.”
“If you lean into the brand and follow the process, you will win.”
“I don’t want to be the biggest—I want to be the best.”

Interested in Diesel Barbershops, contact Ewell HERE.

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Close The Deal Podcast - Franchise Profits

Inside Diesel Barbershop with Shayne Brown

On this episode of Close The Deal: Franchise Profits, we sat down with Shayne Brown, the founder of Diesel Barbershops—a bold, edgy barbershop franchise born from frustration, shaped by nostalgia, and driven by a mission to elevate the men’s grooming experience. What began as a personal annoyance with poor customer service turned into a franchise brand that blends retro cool, serious business systems, and a growing national presence.

Here’s a deep dive into Shayne’s entrepreneurial journey, the mindset behind Diesel, what makes it a compelling franchise opportunity, and the vision that drives it all.

The Turning Point: “I Can Do This Better”

The origin of Diesel Barbershop didn’t come from a place of passion for hair—it came from disappointment. Shayne shared how after receiving three back-to-back bad haircuts with equally poor service, he walked out of the third experience and declared, “I can do this better.” With a mother who was a lifelong cosmetologist and a background in entrepreneurship, Shayne started sketching out what his ideal experience would look like—not from the stylist’s chair, but from the customer’s point of view.

That simple but powerful shift—thinking like a customer first—became the foundation of what Diesel Barbershop is today.

The Diesel Experience: Nostalgia Meets Edge

Walk into a Diesel Barbershop and you’re instantly hit with personality. It’s not sterile. It’s not generic. It’s not trying to please everyone. Diesel is unapologetically masculine, with vintage arcade games from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s (think Donkey Kong, Centipede, Asteroids), walls covered in retro album covers and pop culture posters, and complimentary beverages while you wait.

Shayne describes it as “a little bit of a party”—a place where the experience itself is part of the value proposition. There’s visual flair, curated music via Rock Bot, and media designed to entertain and engage. The goal? Make the wait fun, make the environment unforgettable, and create a vibe that feels more like a hangout than a haircut.

From One Shop to a Scalable System

While Shayne operated multiple successful shops in San Antonio, he made the decision to franchise Diesel right before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. It was, as he puts it, one of the biggest challenges the brand faced.

Franchising a high-touch, service-based business during lockdowns and hiring freezes forced Shayne and his team to adapt quickly. Yet through that trial by fire, Diesel emerged stronger. They streamlined the build-out process, built a “shop in a box” model to simplify construction and design, and leaned heavily into marketing tools and digital platforms.

Now, Diesel is poised for expansion, and the timing feels right. The industry is recovering, the demand for curated men’s grooming experiences is growing, and Diesel’s brand stands out in a sea of sameness.

Ideal Candidate: Who Fits the Diesel Model?

This isn’t a franchise for the overly corporate or hyper-conservative type. Shayne makes that crystal clear. Diesel Barbershop is creative, colorful, and artist-driven. Think tattoos, piercings, bold personalities, and high standards. If you’re not comfortable leading a team of creatives or engaging in a brand with an edge, this might not be the right franchise for you.

But if you’re someone who thrives in culture-forward environments, understands how to lead with systems while honoring individuality, and isn’t afraid to get involved early, Diesel offers a strong opportunity. Most owners start hands-on, but the goal is to evolve into a semi-absentee role once systems and staffing are dialed in.

Investment Breakdown: What It Takes to Get Started

Franchise Fee: $45,000
Total Investment Range: $375,000 – $450,000
Average Shop Size: ~1,400 sq ft with 10 chairs
Ideal Layout: Streamlined for revenue-generating square footage (cutting stations take priority over offices and breakrooms)

Diesel has optimized the shop layout and buildout process to control costs while delivering a premium experience. Costs may vary by market, especially given post-COVID supply chain fluctuations, but the team works closely with each franchisee to hit targets and avoid waste.

Marketing Matters: Launching With Impact

Shayne emphasizes that Diesel is a visually-driven brand. That means it’s built for platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. From the shop design to the haircuts to the energy of the team, every element of Diesel lends itself to great content. And franchisees are expected to lean into it—hard.

He recommends allocating $5,000–$10,000 in marketing spend in the first 60 to 120 days, with a focus on awareness, grand opening hype, and strong community engagement. Diesel supports franchisees with tools, guidance, and best practices to drive results. And once the initial buzz kicks in, word-of-mouth becomes a major engine of growth.

Leadership Lessons & Mindset for Success

Throughout the interview, Shayne drops gold in the form of mindset gems that every aspiring franchisee or entrepreneur can learn from. Here are a few standout philosophies that shape his approach:

“The goal is to shortcut your path to success.”
“Focus on what’s important and discard the things that don’t matter.”
“If you lean into the brand and follow the process, you will win.”
“We’re not successful unless the franchisees are successful.”
“You’ve got to put in the work before the rewards show up.”

His message is consistent: if you follow the system, put in the time, and stay focused, you can win big. Diesel is built on a proven foundation—but it requires leadership, engagement, and buy-in from every owner.

Vision: Be the Best, Not the Biggest

Shayne is not chasing empire status for the sake of ego. His goal is clear: to be the best brand in men’s grooming. Not the most locations. Not the biggest footprint. But the highest standard—wherever you find a Diesel Barbershop, it should deliver on experience, service, and brand culture every time.

As he puts it: if you’re in a city like Scottsdale, search “best barbershop near me,” and Diesel better pop up—and deliver.

Final Thoughts: Real Talk, Real Opportunity

This episode gave listeners an authentic look behind the curtain of a brand that’s as real as it gets. Diesel Barbershop isn’t trying to be everything to everyone—it’s dialed into a specific market with a clear vibe and a replicable model. It’s gritty, fun, and profitable if you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and get involved.

Whether you’re a seasoned operator looking for your next concept or someone exploring your first franchise, Diesel Barbershop is worth a serious look—especially if you’re ready to stand out in a category full of clones.

Ready to Learn More?

If Shayne’s story lit a spark for you, grab a free copy of Your First Franchise Roadmap at YourFirstFranchise.com. This free guide walks you through what to expect when buying your first franchise and includes insights from top founders like Shayne Brown. You’ll also find more info on Diesel Barbershop and other brands we feature.

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Ewell Smith, host of the Close The Deal Podcast, discussing sales systems and revenue growth

About the Author Ewell Smith is the publisher of CloseTheDeal.com, host of the Close The Deal Podcast, and author of Your First Franchise Roadmap. He interviews franchisors, founders, and sales and marketing leaders to help franchise owners and candidates drive more revenue and find the right opportunity. His work focuses on practical franchise strategy, the right mindset, and helping people close the deal on their next chapter.

Person pausing before taking a step, illustrating fear and procrastination in decision making

Fear and Procrastination: 11 Quotes That Push You Forward

By ewell smith • April 17, 2026

The number one thing I see that kills more deals than anything else isn’t money, timing, or even opportunity. It’s fear. As a franchise consultant, I see it play out every single day. Someone gets close to making a decision. They like the brand, they understand the model, and they can clearly see the path forward. Then something shifts. Doubt creeps in. Questions start stacking up. They begin to wonder if they can really do it, if they’re capable of running the business, or if they’re taking on more risk than they should. From there, hesitation sets in. That hesitation slows momentum, and what started as a strong, forward-moving decision turns into delay. That delay eventually becomes procrastination. And more often than not, that procrastination leads to inaction. The deal never gets done. What’s interesting is that fear rarely shows up as something obvious. It doesn’t announce itself. Instead, it disguises itself as logic. It sounds like someone wanting more time, more information, or more certainty. It shows up as overthinking or the desire to get everything just right before making a move. One of the most common forms of this is perfectionism. People convince themselves they’re being careful or strategic, when in reality they’re avoiding taking action because they don’t want to get it wrong. The truth is, there is no perfect time. There never has been, and there never will be. Waiting for perfect conditions is one of the easiest ways to stay stuck without realizing it. That’s why, once you’ve made a decision that matters, it’s critical to keep moving. Not all at once, and not in a perfect way, but through small, consistent steps that build momentum. That’s what separates people who move forward from those who stay stuck in place. This is also a core theme behind the Close The Deal Podcast. Even high performers, people who are successful in many areas of their lives, still struggle with procrastination. They still find ways to delay decisions or avoid uncomfortable actions. Sometimes the reasons sound legitimate, but more often they’re just well-disguised excuses rooted in fear. The quotes below resonate because they cut through that noise. They don’t just sound good, they point directly at what’s really going on beneath the surface. Let them challenge the way you’re thinking about the thing you’ve been putting off. And when you’re ready to move, there’s a short guide on this page that walks you through simple steps to take immediate action and get started. 11 Quotes That Expose Fear (and Push You to Act) “Procrastination is not a time management problem. It’s an emotion management problem.” - Timothy Pychyl 2. “Do one thing every day that scares you.” - Eleanor Roosevelt 3. “Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage.” - Dale Carnegie 4.“Fear defeats more people than any other one thing in the world.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson 5. “Action cures fear.” - David J Schwartz 6. “Do the thing you fear, and the death of fear is certain.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson 7. “Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear.” - George Addair 8. “Fear is only as deep as the mind allows.” - Japanese proverb 9. “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear.” - Mark Twain 10. “If you are not willing to risk the usual, you will have to settle for the ordinary.” - Jim Rohn 11. “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” - Theodore Roosevelt Close The Deal With Yourself If something came to mind while reading this, that’s probably the thing you’ve been putting off. Not everything, just one decision or action that’s been sitting there longer than it should. You don’t need to solve the whole thing today. Just take the first step. That might be making a call, sending an email, or simply starting the process. Momentum doesn’t come from thinking about it, it comes from doing something, even if it’s small. If you want help getting started, there’s a short guide on this page that breaks down simple steps to take immediate action. It’s designed to help you move past hesitation and actually begin. Because at the end of the day, the goal isn’t to think about it. The goal is to start. FAQ (Fear, Procrastination, and Taking Action)

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