Meet Francis Sampang, owner of Rosewood Barbershop and co-founder of Rosewood Cutters. A New Jersey native, Fran decided he was done with the freezing temperatures and made his way to the Golden State in 2000 where he could enjoy the year-round summer weather. As an ambitious, business-minded individual, he realized that Cerritos College wasn’t going to get him where he wanted. He pursued a barbering license as a backup, since traditional schooling wasn’t going to help him pay the bills. Honing his craft since he was 14 years old, Francis has dedicated his life to his profession and has influenced the evolution of barbershop culture to what it is today. A true entrepreneur, he has found success by attacking every opportunity as if it was his last. “Set goals, make sacrifices, and take risks.”
Interview
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOU WANTED TO BE A BARBER?
When I hated college. Couldn’t do it.
WHAT WOULD YOU BE IF YOU WEREN’T A BARBER?
A tattoo artist.
FAVORITE SHOE OF ALL TIME?
Air Force 1 all white. Gotta keep ’em fresh I used to have like 3 pairs.
ON THE COVER OF YOUR BIOGRAPHY, WHAT WOULD YOU BE WEARING?
A suit. An Ari Gold type of suit.
LAST SONG PLAYED ON YOUR PHONE?
Nas – It Was Written.
BUILD YOUR ULTIMATE PIZZA.
Sausage, pepperoni, jalapenos, cheetos, sunny side up egg, and the crust gotta be garlic crust.
A TYPICAL DAY OFF CONSISTS OF…
Gym and spending time with my wife.
MOST NECESSARY LUXURY?
Fresh gear yo, you can’t just buy regular stuff its gotta be dope.
FREE 1 WAY TICKET TO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD YOU GO?
Philipines.
IF YOU COULD BE A CHARACTER FROM ANY MOVIE, WHO WOULD YOU BE?
Ari Gold, Entourage.
Connect
Instagram: francisdabutcher / rosewoodcutters
Twitter: rosewoodcutters
Location: Rosewood Barbershop, Los Angeles