Today we’d like to introduce you to Ehab Amir.
Hi Ehab, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I actually started cutting hair by accident while I was in college. It began as a hobby—I would cut my roommates’ and friends’ hair just for fun. After graduating, I continued cutting hair by traveling to friends’ homes as a mobile barber while working full-time in education. Ironically, although I earned a business degree, my real passion at the time was education. I spent several years working in the nonprofit and education sector, helping students and families, while barbering remained my creative outlet.
Eventually, I realized that barbering was more than just a side hustle. It combined creativity, entrepreneurship, and genuine human connection in a way that few careers do. In 2018, I made the difficult decision to leave my full-time nonprofit job, enroll in barber school, and fully commit to building my own business.
I continued growing my mobile barber business while attending school, and in October 2020, right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, I opened Barbers & Brew in Rockville, Maryland. Many people thought opening a barbershop during such an uncertain time was risky, but I believed in the vision and trusted the relationships I had built over the years.
From the beginning, my goal wasn’t simply to open another barbershop—it was to create the kind of place where I would genuinely look forward to getting my own haircut. I wanted people to slow down, enjoy a great conversation, have a quality cup of coffee or a local craft beer, and leave feeling better than when they walked in. I wanted the haircut to become an experience rather than another errand.
Today, Barbers & Brew is a laid-back, multicultural barbershop that welcomes clients of every background and hair type. We’re proud to partner with local businesses like Neighbors Coffee, Seven Locks Brewing Company, and Song Dog Distillery to create an experience that reflects the community we’re part of. Every detail—from the complimentary beverages to our appointment-only model and elevated Craft Haircut service—is designed to make people feel cared for.
At its core, Barbers & Brew is about much more than haircuts. It’s about building relationships, fostering community, and creating a space where people can relax, connect, and leave feeling more confident than when they arrived. Looking back, what started as a college hobby has grown into a business that allows me to combine my love for people, education, hospitality, and entrepreneurship every single day.
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?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I think that’s what makes the journey meaningful.
Opening Barbers & Brew in October 2020, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, was probably the biggest challenge. We were launching a brand-new business while operating under capacity restrictions and navigating so much uncertainty. There were days when it felt like every week brought a new obstacle.
One unique aspect of my story is that I had never actually worked in a traditional barbershop before opening my own. I came from a mobile barbering background, so I had to learn not only how to run a business, but also how to build the systems and culture of a shop from the ground up.
Finding and developing the right team has also been one of the biggest challenges. Many of the barbers I hired were fresh out of barber school, so we grew together. I had to become a teacher, mentor, and leader while continuing to learn myself. Creating consistent standards for customer service, cleanliness, professionalism, and the overall client experience has been an ongoing process.
Then there were all the things most people never see. Learning how to maintain a commercial space, manage inventory, navigate regulations, and eventually obtain one of Montgomery County’s first barbershop liquor licenses required a tremendous amount of work. We aren’t just barbers—we’re also hosts. On any given day, we’re cutting hair, making coffee, serving local craft beverages, and making sure every client feels welcomed.
Personally, one of the hardest lessons was learning to transition from being a barber who owned a business to becoming a business owner who also cuts hair. Early on, I spent almost all my time working in the business. Over time, I realized that if I wanted the company to grow, I also needed to dedicate time to working on the business—developing systems, building a team, and thinking about the future.
Looking back, every challenge has shaped me as both an entrepreneur and a person. There have been plenty of setbacks, but each one forced me to grow, adapt, and become a better leader. In many ways, Barbers & Brew has grown because I had to grow first.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Barbers & Brew was built around a simple idea: a haircut should be something you look forward to, not just another errand on your calendar.
We are a laid-back, multicultural barbershop in Rockville that combines high-quality grooming with genuine hospitality. We specialize in modern and classic haircuts for all hair types and textures, but what truly sets us apart is the overall experience. From the moment someone walks through our doors, we want them to feel welcomed, comfortable, and cared for.
Every client is offered complimentary beverages, including coffee from Neighbors Coffee, local craft beer from Seven Locks Brewing Company, spirits from Song Dog Distillery, and a variety of non-alcoholic options. We designed the space to encourage people to slow down, have a conversation, and enjoy the experience rather than simply rushing through another appointment.
One thing I’m especially proud of is that we’ve stayed true to supporting local businesses. Instead of partnering with large national brands, we’ve intentionally built relationships with local coffee roasters, breweries, and distilleries that share our values. It allows us to showcase other small businesses while creating an experience that’s uniquely local.
I’m also incredibly proud of the culture we’ve built within our team. We believe that great barbering is about much more than technical skill. It’s about listening, building trust, paying attention to the details, and helping people leave feeling more confident than when they walked in. We often say that we’re in the people business—we just happen to cut hair.
As we continue to grow, my vision extends beyond one barbershop. I hope to develop the next generation of barbers through education and mentorship while continuing to raise the standard for what a modern barbershop experience can be.
At the end of the day, our mission is simple: provide exceptional haircuts, genuine hospitality, and create a place where people from every background feel welcome. If someone leaves looking great, feeling more confident, and already looking forward to their next visit, we’ve done our job.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
If there’s one thing I’d want readers to take away, it’s that success is rarely the result of one big moment—it’s the accumulation of thousands of small decisions made consistently over time.
I’m grateful to every client who trusted me, especially in those early days when I was cutting hair out of my car, traveling to people’s homes, or opening a business during one of the most uncertain times in recent history. Barbers & Brew exists because of the people who believed in the vision long before it became what it is today.
I also hope people recognize the value of skilled trades and craftsmanship. Barbering is often underestimated, but it’s a profession built on creativity, discipline, entrepreneurship, and relationships. Every day we have the opportunity to impact someone’s confidence, celebrate life’s milestones with them, or simply provide a space where they can relax and be themselves.
As we look toward the future, my goal is to continue investing in our team, mentoring the next generation of barbers, and creating experiences that bring people together. Whether someone visits us for their first haircut or their hundredth, I want Barbers & Brew to be known as a place where quality, hospitality, and community always come first.
Pricing:
- $35-50 for a regular haircuts depending on which barber you choose
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thebarbersandbrew.com
- Instagram: @thebarbersandbrew
- Other: https://web.getsquire.com/brands/barbers-and-brew
