The owner of Goodfellas Barbershop & Salon cuts his way into our hearts
by Adrianna Vigil
For most, a haircut is just a haircut. A barber is someone we do not know and the conversation does not go beyond what style we want. The experience of getting our hair cut is typically something we don’t look forward to and is short-lived in the twenty minute visit. However, Richard Maldonado and his team at the Goodfellas Barber Shop are adding an old school twist to cutting hair and are offering a traditional barbering experience that has since been forgotten.
Goodfellas Barbershop opened in 2000 and was originally owned and operated by Juan Martinez, Maldonado’s uncle. It later closed in 2005. Maldonado’s passion for barbering was sparked at the young age of 15 when he began cutting his own hair as well as his brothers. Later in 2012, his passion translated into a career when he reopened his uncles barber shop. Since then Maldonado has turned a simple haircut into an experience and has built a name for him and his shop in the city of Albuquerque.
Located off of San Pedro, the services Goodfellas offers goes far beyond a haircut. Aside from cuts of all specialties, the shop offers hot towel shaves, beard and facial trims and has a salon that extends services to women and children with cuts, perms, deep conditioning, hair styling, manicures and pedicures. His team includes Daniel and Walter, who assist him with barbering, Charmaine and Larry who run the salon and his wife Nicole who operates as the manicurists and esthetician.
With a foundation of “quality over quantity,” Maldonado believes that the customer service and talent of each individual of his team is what sets his shop apart from others.
Many would acclaim Goodfellas to be a modern barber shop with an old school twist. In order to ensure this Maldonado and his team stick to the traditional art of barbering by using every tool available to them, keeping up-to-date with modern trends and styles and making sure that every part of a traditional trip to the barber shop is included. What exactly does this mean? Each day Maldonado arrives early to the shop to prepare and clean up for the incoming clients. He welcomes each of his barbers who also arrive early to ready themselves for their first cut. When you first walk in you are greeted by the staff. Many of the clients are regulars and genuine conversation is made not only between clients but between the staff and clients who have formed friendships over the course of their many visits. Adding to this unique experience is Maldonado’s definition of being a barber which is “…having a relationship with people that goes beyond cutting their hair.”
Maldonado believes that the key to being a small business is to remain consistent and always have quality customer service. “Being a small business has many difficulties and many perks”, he says. “The difficulties that we face are overcome by our work ethic and our goal to consistently serve our community and each client that walks in the door.” It is this same attitude of his that translates into his service and giving back to the community. Goodfellas has been known throughout the years to hold blood drives and give gifts during the holidays. Owing much of its success to the community, Maldonado and his team believe that is important to give back to their community and show them their support just as the community has given to them and shown them its support.
Being the number one rated barber on Yelp!, Maldonado is often given reviews stating that “after getting your hair cut by Richard you will never want to get your hair cut by anyone else.” He has been credited by many as the most talented barber and has received recognition by much of the media including KOAT Action 7 News, featuring his shop as one of the Top 11 Barber Shops in Albuquerque. When asked how it felt to hear people say this Maldonado responded with “I feel like my success is not just my own, it is due to those that work with me and the clients that walk into the shop.” His passion for barbering still seen and spoken through his words as he continued, “I am very humbled by the fact that people see me as a great barber but it is due to my passion to make those that walk in feel good about themselves not only on the outside, but on the inside as well. No matter what age.” Maldonado hopes to grow and expand his business in multiple locations, continuing to reach and give back to the community. He owes much of his success and inspiration to his religion and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the people in his life that have been there for him from the start. Referring to Goodfellas as a legacy, Maldonado believes his biggest success so far has been being a part of this legacy.
Find out more about Goodfellas Barbershop and Salon on their website www.goodfellasabq.com
