April 17, 2017

Meet Robert Dello Russo of Boston Barber & Tattoo in North End and Beacon Hill

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Dello Russo.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Robert. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Well, I was born and raised in the North End and still live here. I’m 40 years old and started cutting hair in my basement at age 13. It was something that came very natural to me. I was always pretty good with my hands, drawing, building and designing things as well as haircuts which I feel is somewhat of an art form. After going back and forth from odd jobs and getting myself in and out of jams most of my 20’s like a lot of the kids I grew up with in the city I decided to go full speed ahead with my idea for a barber shop.

My vision was nothing like anything I have experienced in other shops. So what I did was piece together all the nostalgic memories I had from going to barber shops, and paying attention to the details that are timeless and are always enjoyed from young to the older guys in the neighborhood. I wanted my place to bring you back to whatever time period in your life that you valued the most. The sounds, the smells and the feel of being somewhere you belong.

The decor I envisioned was a cross between a rich cigar bar/a classy nightclub / a hipster tattoo shop and topped off with an old school barber shop with amenities.

I started the shop alone with one chair and just celebrated my 10 year anniversary. Each year I’ve been open I added another chair and another etc. etc., and today I have a 2 floor 10 chair shop with a 3 artist tattoo studio in the back as well as a full-service coffee bar that customers love to hang out at and sip espresso while they wait for their cut or tattoo.

Five years ago I opened another location on 124 Bowdoin St. in Beacon Hill directly across the street from the state house. Which also started with one chair and is now a 5 chair very busy shop. The tattoo shop opened about 2 years ago and has taken off tremendously and now have 3 full-time artists who are booked daily.

As I put it into words I wonder how all of this even happened in the span of 10 years with the measly $13,000 I saved living in a 1 room basement in the North End. But it happened. How? I showed up every day and hoped for the best. My drive and ambition far outweigh my intelligence. I’m working on that part lol.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road has been pretty bumpy along the way with troubles from my past or simply just not being experienced with opening and running a business in Boston and all that it entails. I was ignorant to a lot of stuff. For example, taxes, payroll, getting zoned by the city, working with the Boston public health commission, the board of health and the barber board, as well as doing numerous presentations in front of the neighborhood councils. I only have a high school education so I had to learn quickly how to be confident, put together presentations and public speaking at meetings. All of this was completely out of my comfort zone. Growing up around here was great but I was just a typical city street kid with not much going for me other than a great family and a select few good friends. I had to learn and learn fast.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
My business is located in the heart of the North End and a lot will tell you it actually is the heart of the north end itself. Anyone who walks in my shop is wowed by what is in front of them. It’s a place where neighborhood people old and newcomer to meet and talk and find out the gossip or any news the neighborhood and streets have to offer. It’s truly and epic center of the neighborhood and I’m very proud of that. I feel that we preserved the life that the north end once possessed. The mystique of an old neighborhood that once was something very special and although different today is still special in its own way.

We specialize in custom tattooing/ haircuts from precise layered men’s executive style cuts as well as fades and lineups that are so popular today with the younger generation. One thing we do pride ourselves in are the straight edge shaves done the same way they have been for 100 years. Hot towels, pre-shave oil, hot shaving cream and a smooth straight razor shave. A service every man should try. What sets us apart is we are one of a kind, there is no other business in New England that offers what we all under one roof. In addition, we have the best coffee/espresso in the neighborhood as well as an array of hair products, tattoo balm, clothing and snap back hats.

What were you like growing up?
Tough question. It’s always difficult to describe yourself. Everyone sees everyone different. Growing up I was very quiet and shy, and interested in baseball and baseball only. I was not confident in myself, always seconded guess my own opinion and didn’t have a lot of friends. I guess being the youngest in the family, not many people take you seriously in life so what you gotta do is just take yourself serious. Growing up in the city is great but not always easy. The most important thing you had to catch on to was being street smart. A lot of people will define that in different ways. But basically you have to have tough skin, be able to handle yourself mentally and physically or you will get eaten alive. Building up confidence in a setting like that is simple. But like anything else in life practice and drive will get you anywhere you want to go. Pay attention, listen and learn from everything and everyone around you and you will gain the knowledge and respect you need to accomplish anything you want out of life.

Pricing: