Four Pillars of Entrepreneurship: #FollowThrough

_DSC0034 — The Elmont Excelsior’s “Four Pillars of Entrepreneurship” series features practical business advice & lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs, as told by business owners in the Elmont community. (Photo by Joseph DiDomizio for WeAreElmont.com.)

Four Pillars of Entrepreneurship

2. #FollowThrough

Words & photos by Joe Didomizio for WeAreElmont.com.

Anyone can create goals. It is the true entrepreneurs that not only identify the steps to achieving these goals, but take action.

Simply put, my impression of Christopher is that he is a go-getter.

The Elmont Excelsior Community News Four Pillars of Entrepreneurship Elite Barber Parlor Chris Diaz Joe DiDomizio — Master Barber, business owner, innovator, and community leader, Chris Diaz, standing outside his barber shop, located at 1485 Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont. (Photo by Joe DiDomizio for WeAreElmont.com.)

I don’t know if he has always been this way. I think his passions were probably a bit misguided when he was younger, but as he got older and matured, he learned to be disciplined and focused. Now, there is no stopping him.

After his release, Christopher quickly acquired his barbering license and opened up his first shop in 2003, Xxxclusive Cuts. Over the course of the next few years he continued to master his craft and build his business.

In 2007, deciding he wanted to share his passion and experience with others, he began interning at the Long Island Barber Institute in Hempstead, NY. In just a little over a years time, his dedication and hard work allowed him to rise to the level of supervisor.

Today, Christopher is a full time supervisor, both teaching and proctoring Barber Practical Exams.

In 2009, Christopher opened his second shop, Elite Barber Parlor.

After a year or so, Christopher decided to close down Xxxclusive Cuts to focus solely on teaching and Elite.

Christopher’s hard work over the past six years has allowed Elite to become a beacon of growth and opportunity in Elmont.

_DSC0038 — Words & photos by Joseph DiDomizio for WeAreElmont.com. Products appear courtesy of Elite Barber Parlor Inc.

Christopher continues to pursue new ventures both professionally and academically. He currently has his own line of Elite barbering products including different types of shampoos, conditioners, and face treatments, all for sale in his shop and on Elite Barber Parlor’s website.

_DSC0037 — Words & photos by Joseph DiDomizio for WeAreElmont.com. Products appear courtesy of Elite Barber Parlor Inc.

On July 8th of this year, Christopher had a patent approved for a new type of Disposable Neck Duster.

Inventor in Elmont: Official U.S. patent document for a Disposable Neck Duster by Christopher Diaz: “A simple yet useful new product for barber shops and their customers, the One Use Neck Duster features a unique design that provides barbers with a convenient product that guarantees they will not transfer germs from one customer to another.” – New Product Help, Inc.

In addition, Christopher submitted revisions and additions to the Milady Standard Cosmetology Textbook due out in 2016; a highly regarded educational tool in the barbering and cosmetology community.

Sure, at the end of the day some of these things are going to be profitable for Christopher, but I think beyond the money, there is also a spirit of betterment. I think he understands that everyone faces hardships and that we all have to fight for what we believe in.

Christopher is not only pursuing what he believes in, but in many cases, he is helping others in their pursuit as well.