MERIDEN — By way of the several years, Eddie Rivera spent time dabbling in artwork, audio and hairstyling. Now a business proprietor, Rivera proceeds to pursue all a few passions although supplying again to the group.
Rivera, 37, was born in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico and came to Meriden at the age of a few. He has been cutting hair for 25 many years but prior to that, his very first passion was music. He lately launched a songs video for his single “Gettin’ Money” which can be observed on Youtube and Soundcloud.
Setting up off his music job, Rivera went by the identify NoEDall and bought some hits played on the radio station Warm 93.7 FM, he stated. “I was accomplishing reveals, I was touring, I was networking and investing all my have money into this desire.” Rivera claimed. “It was remarkable getting equipped to chase my dream as a rapper.”
But at some point, Rivera suggests he dropped a large amount of funds thanks to his tunes occupation and became frustrated. With a third little one on the way, he realized he required to regroup and rebuild himself. “I told myself that I gotta make a thing occur, so I went to college for barbering and set music on the back again burner for a though.” Which is when he thought of a barbering vocation.
In addition, Rivera is the painter accountable for numerous murals in downtown Meriden. As an artist, Rivera usually takes satisfaction in his work and has turn into effective with superstars like Kevin Liles and Excess fat Joe buying his pieces, he mentioned. Rivera has been carrying out artwork at any time due to the fact he can keep in mind. His get the job done can be found on his Instragram @eddie._rivera.
In 2014, Rivera started a a person-year plan at Academy Di Capelli — a whole-provider magnificence university and salon in Wallingford. Following becoming licensed, Rivera said it is demanded to do the job at a barbershop for a minimum amount of two several years in advance of opening his individual store.
In the summer time of 2020 Rivera was last but not least ready to open up his individual store — New Fashion Hair Studio. Opening through the pandemic did not sluggish down the store in any way. In reality, it did the reverse. Rivera claimed that he had been contemplating of opening his very own shop for a when and when the coronavirus came, it essentially gave him the chance to chat with an trader.
“My team and I experienced a very respectable subsequent before we opened,” Rivera mentioned. “So when we opened, each individual of our customers arrived about to New Style Hair Studio and we were being immediately busy.” The studio’s staff consists of good friends he went to barber university with and experienced earlier labored with.
Steven Chaparro, teacher at Academy Di Capelli and barber at New Design Hair Studio, says that in general, Rivera has been a terrific particular person to get the job done with.
“He helps make certain to promote the entire shop. He usually reposts our haircuts and booking web sites on his social media and he built guaranteed to put a image of us on the New Type billboard.” Chaparro stated. “He is just an general workforce player.”
The barbershop is situated at 975 Wide St., a web site Rivera suggests he’d been eyeing for some time.
In accordance to Rivera, New Model Hair Studio is accredited to supply services to young children with specific wants or neurodiversity.
“When I worked at prior barbershops, I was typically the a single using the children mainly because a large amount of barbers weren’t snug with offering company to kids with distinctive needs,” Rivera recalled.
“I needed to provide a little something positive and something that is quite desired in the barber world for moms and dads of youngsters with particular requirements. I want dad and mom to truly feel snug so I went the extra mile to learn a lot more about it and get accredited.”
While not all of his barbers are licensed to do the job with young ones with exclusive wants, when booking an appointment parents can request all those barbers.
Rivera is in the course of action of striving to determine out how to open up a school for cosmetology and barbering in Connecticut. In the foreseeable future, Rivera desires to franchise New Hair Design Studio and open other destinations. He is focusing on making an attempt to franchise the studios beliefs and ideas.
“Acceptance, peace, really like, and awareness for young ones with unique requirements is section of our beliefs. Generating the entire world a superior put for young ones,” Rivera said.
New Design and style Hair Studio can be located on Facebook and also by means of their Instagram web site @newstyle_hairstudio. Reserving can be performed on the web at https://newstylehairstudio.com/booking/ or by contacting (203) 237-2337.
Reporter Crystal Elescano can be arrived at at [email protected].
