Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Victor Velasquez says his job doesn't feel like work.
Victor Velasquez originally wanted to make money in baseball.
One day, though, while playing in his grandfather's garage, he found some clippers and gave his brother a mohawk haircut like the mixed martial arts fighter Chuck Liddell.
Those clippers were dog clippers, but it didn't matter; he had given a haircut and he liked the feel of the clippers in his hand.
Now he has a barber shop, "House of Fadez," in downtown Clovis, at 516 N. Main.
The News spent some time with Velasquez on Tuesday, the day before his 28th birthday, and learned a bit about his life.
Q: You were born in Clovis?
A: I was born and raised in Clovis.
I learned Spanish at La Casita Elementary School, and I'm glad I did.
Only English was spoken at the house when I grew up.
I love being bilingual because it comes in handy at good times. It's a good thing to know.
I went to Marshall and then on to Clovis High School.
I was really good in baseball, but I didn't take it up. I've always liked to play golf.
Q: What do you remember from being a kid?
A: I remember making jump ramps for our bikes.
Q: Tell us about your family.
A: My family's roots are in Española.
I had young parents. My dad turned 15 the day I was born.
We have a big family.
My mom and dad are here.
I have three brothers and one sister.
I like how close my family is, how we can be one great family.
My brother Tristen and I are business partners.
Q: What did you want to be when you grew up?
A: I always wanted to be a professional baseball player.
But as I got older, I didn't have the grades.
So they sent me to "Choices." It's alternative education.
The Choices teachers took their time with me.
It helped me get a job.
It gave me an opportunity to win a $2,000 Ralph Boone scholarship.
I used that money to go to Albuquerque Barber College.
Q: Working with hair, that seems like it would be difficult. What is your secret?
A: It just feels so natural to me, like I was born to do this.
I love cutting hair because it doesn't feel like work to me.
If you can come to your work and not feel like it's a job that's a dream come true.
Q: Tell us about your business, House of Fadez. What inspired you to make it what it is?
A: It originated in my mind.
This is our second location. Our first location used to be a loan place where my mom worked; she was manager. We grew up in that location.
This location, I want it to be a "one stop shop," something Clovis hasn't seen before.
A barber shop, shoe shop and coffee shop.
Q: What was your first concert?
A: My mom won tickets from 107.5 to see Kelly Clarkson in Lubbock and we went.
I think I was 13 or 14 years old.
Q: Have you ever asked anyone for an autograph? Who?
A: It was Raul Rosales, the youngest Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter in UFC history.
He's from Clovis.
He got his hair cut here.
Q: Do you have a significant other? How did you meet?
A: My significant other is Karla.
She's my high school sweetheart. We met in 10th grade.
Her family came here from Deming.
Our children are 9, 5 and 1, two girls and a boy.
Q: What is Victor Velasquez's theme song?
A: "Work Hard, Play Hard" by Wiz Khalifa.
Q: What is your favorite meal?
A: Filet mignon at The Rails.
Q: What is your favorite saying or quote?
A: "Invest in your hair, you wear it every day."
And I like this one too, "The best is yet to come."
