Being a barber is a calling for some people. This is true of Xavier Parra who dreamed of taking over his father’s barbershop in Woodburn, Oregon. Fate had other plans for him, though, and he put his dream on hold after his father’s death from a heart attack in 2010.
Parra had the chance to teach at the prestigious Paul Mitchell beauty school. He moved to Portland and entrusted his father’s barbershop to local barber Abraham Zamora while he was away training the next generation of barbers.
Despite the unfortunate circumstances, Parra loved his teaching and considered it a way to give back to his industry. The school was so happy with his class that they offered him a full-time job there.
Parra bonded with many of his students as he trained them to cut and color. He became so close to his students that he plans on taking one of them on as his apprentice at his barbershop, Leonardo’s Barber + Style. His connection with students was so strong that he compared his teaching experience to a “ministry.”
Now Parra is back home in Woodburn fulfilling his life-long dream at the barbershop that bares his father’s name. He is active in the Woodburn community and a member of the chamber of commerce. He even recently hosted a charitable event to raise money for a young child with a brain tumor.
Leonardo’s Barber + Style offers its services to men, women, and even children. The barbershop’s offerings range from basic men’s trims to advanced styling, as Parra’s extensive cosmetology background allows him offer a full suite of personal care grooming and styling services.
For Parra, life has come full circle, allowing him to transition from barber to cosmetology teacher to barbershop owner, and Parra couldn’t be happier.