From a young age, Hugo Corral knew that he wanted to own his own barbershop. His childhood babysitter owned a hair salon and was instrumental in influencing Hugo’s desire to be a barber. Hugo recalls that “At the time I didn’t really know the “why,” but I was in love with the culture of it. The barbershop for me, has always been a safe zone. Almost as if it paused life’s problems.” Hugo moved to Greeley at the age of 14 and felt stubborn, lost, and confused. “Greeley took me in like it knew me all along,” Hugo said. “I owe everything to this city.”
Hugo’s Barber Shop was founded on March 2, 2010, and has become a way for Hugo and his team of barbers to create art through cutting hair. “I believe that we are all artists in our own way, but some artists fully acknowledge how great they can be and don't take shortcuts." Hugo continues, "Cutting hair is an art beyond what the eye can see. We have some clients that just sit down and at times don’t even tell the barber what they want; they trust in the artist,” Hugo explains. With every canvas being uniquely different, each of Hugo’s barbers create art that is individualized for every client they serve.
In the last ten years, Hugo’s has worked to follow its shop motto and “keep Greeley handsome” through the art Hugo and his team create as barbers.
Beyond the pure artistry that Hugo’s Barber Shop brings to Greeley, Hugo has spent the last decade taking people in and making them feel as though they belong -- the same way Greeley did for him at the young age of 14. Hugo’s Barber Shop has allowed Hugo and his team to grow alongside their clients in Greeley. Hugo shared that, “My favorite part of having Hugo’s is growing old with our clients. I know everyone, and they know me, and I absolutely love the people of Greeley.”
The significant and positive impact that Greeley has left on Hugo inspired him to use his business to give back to the community he loves. Whether getting involved in local nonprofits or managing youth baseball teams, Hugo is always seeking more ways to give back to the city he loves.
