Nick Romero of Thank My Barber Is Building More Than a Barbershop in Southwest Florida

From the moment we sat down with Nick Romero, it becomes clear that barbering was never just about haircuts for him.

It was about people.

Raised in Miami by a single mother alongside his younger brother, Romero found barbering early in life. By the age of 13 or 14, he was already cutting hair and discovering something deeper than a trade. The chair became a place where conversations happened, confidence was built, and community formed naturally.

Years later, after serving in the United States Marine Corps and building a respected barbershop in San Diego, Romero brought that same philosophy to Southwest Florida through Thank My Barber, a business that blends barbering, mentorship, professionalism, and community building under one roof.

the person behind the business

From Miami to the Marine Corps to Southwest Florida

Romero describes the Marine Corps as “the father figure” he didn’t have growing up. After joining one year out of high school, he spent four years active duty and four years in the reserves while continuing to cut hair everywhere he went; in barracks, apartments, garages, and among fellow Marines.

Even while serving, barbering followed him naturally.

When he eventually transitioned out of the military in 2009, he faced a crossroads. He could return to Miami and become “just another barber,” or stay in California where he had already built relationships and clientele. He chose to stay and opened his first shop shortly after.

That decision would shape the trajectory of his career.

For over a decade, Romero watched young clients grow from children into adults, college students, Marines, and professionals. The experience reinforced something he already believed deeply: a barbershop is often one of the few remaining places where people consistently gather, talk openly, and build trust face-to-face.

“I believe that the barbershop is the community center of every neighborhood.”

Nick Romero

why he built thank my barber

A Name Born From a Simple Question

The idea for Thank My Barber began in 2014 while Romero was attending barber conventions and industry events across the country. What he noticed frustrated him.

Many businesses in the industry were marketing to barbers instead of focusing on the customer experience itself. Romero believed the industry had drifted away from professionalism, hospitality, and community connection.

So he asked himself a simple question: What do I want customers to say after leaving my chair?

The answer came instantly: “Thank my barber.”

From there, the concept evolved into more than a slogan. It became a philosophy centered around customer care, professionalism, education, and service. While studying business organizational leadership in college, Romero began developing systems focused on improving barber culture itself. He wanted to mentor barbers who genuinely cared about people, not just the technical side of cutting hair.

That philosophy now defines the Fort Myers-based shop.

building in southwest florida

A Third-Floor Shop Designed for Connection

Romero and his wife relocated to Southwest Florida after visiting family in Cape Coral and immediately seeing opportunity in the region’s growth and openness.

Before opening the current shop, Romero served as Head Barber Instructor at Paul Mitchell Schools for more than three years, helping train future professionals entering the industry.

Today, Thank My Barber operates from an unconventional third-floor downtown Fort Myers location overlooking the city skyline. The space combines barber services, styling, massage therapy, hospitality, and education into one environment.

Romero intentionally designed the shop to feel welcoming and elevated. Customers are greeted with panoramic windows, hot towel service, Cuban espresso, drinks, live sports, and a hospitality-first atmosphere that feels more like a community lounge than a traditional barbershop.

“We make people feel good. We build confidence in the chair.”

Nick Romero

But for Romero, the physical environment is only part of the experience. The real goal is connection.

what customers may not see

Professionalism, Discipline, and the Mission Behind the Chair

Behind the scenes, Romero’s expectations for professionalism are deeply influenced by both military discipline and customer service standards. At his previous shop in California, monthly “field days” involved removing every chair, deep-cleaning the entire space from top to bottom, and resetting the environment together as a team.

For Romero, cleanliness, atmosphere, communication, and consistency all matter as much as technical skill. In fact, he believes communication is often what separates a good barber from a great one. According to Romero, customers return to people who make them feel valued, heard, and respected.

That mindset shapes how he hires, trains, and mentors his team. It also shapes the broader mission of the shop itself.

Romero plans to use the space to host CPR classes, barber education workshops, leadership courses, and mentorship opportunities for young men and women in the community. His leadership curriculum focuses on practical life skills that many young people never formally learn, including professional communication, financial literacy, dress standards, confidence, and discipline.

a philosophy rooted in growth

Put Down the Phone and Pick Up a Book

Throughout the interview, Romero repeatedly returned to one core idea: growth requires intentional effort. Whether discussing entrepreneurship, barbering, or mentorship, his advice centered around self-development, discipline, and continuous learning.

One of the strongest moments came when Romero spoke about encouraging younger generations to step away from constant scrolling and begin actively seeking knowledge.

“Put down the phone and pick up a book.”

Nick Romero

For Romero, that mindset shift has the potential to change entire communities. And in many ways, that may be exactly why businesses like Thank My Barber continue to resonate so strongly with the communities around them.