Issue link: https://www.ahpindiestylist.com/i/1280345
28 indie stylist Volume 1 Issue 2 Niche 1: Philanthropy When Mark Bustos isn't traveling by helicopter or private jet to cut and style hair for the rich and famous—at $10,000 a clip—he spends his time cutting hair for free. His motto, "I'm either expensive or I'm free, but never cheap," says it all. He loves his work as a hairstylist—whether he's getting paid in cash or gratitude. "My job is to make people happy, which gives me joy," Bustos says. "That's where I find success. Everyone, whether homeless or a billionaire, appreciates how a good hairstyle makes [them] feel. We are all human; we grow hair and lose hair in exactly the same way." Bustos's philanthropy started several years ago when he rented a chair in a Philippine barbershop to let children come in for free haircuts. "Little did I know," he says, "it was gonna make me feel a little better than them." After that experience, Bustos hit the streets of New York City every Sunday to give free haircuts. "I was on the Bowery," shares Bustos, "and I found a gentleman named Jamar Banks. He taught me we're all human; he was an individual, just like we all are. The first thing he said to me after that haircut was, 'You know anybody that's hiring? I want to go get a job.' That blew my mind. I was like, whoa—I can do that for anybody." Narrow your focus. Once you identify your passions and talents— and discover what clients like about you—pinpoint the needs of your target clientele. Is there a market for those needs? Consider solutions that clients would be willing to pay for. Mark Bustos