Check Out Darren Shea’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Darren Shea.

Hi Darren, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a barber and work with my dad. He has been cutting hair for over 58 years and is still cutting. During Covid we had to shut down for 3 months. During that time I got a little board and something popped in my mind while I was walking thru my kitchen. I said to myself “I wonder where Bob the builder has been”. And just then I thought “wait… I should create a John the Barber” (that is my dad). So I went to my notes in my phone and started to create a kids book about a child getting a first haircut. I created all the barber tools and the barber pole in to characters that interact with the children when they get their haircut. After I created the story I then went to draw the characters to what I wanted them to look like. Then I had someone that I met thru the barber industry that was an artist and had him re create them and create my dad into a cartoon character. After the idea was put together I had it self published through someone in my area.

Me and my dad were going to our local daycares and elementary schools to rad the book to the kids. And if their parents wanted to purchase a book me and my dad would sign it for them. I sell my book at me and my dad’s barber shop and a couple book stores in Plymouth Mass. I also have a soft cover version available on Amazon.com. It’s John’s Crew. My first haircut.

*This is the bassist of the book ….
John the Barber is an old school barber who loves his craft and has been cutting for over 50 years. He has cut many generations of hair and now it is time for someone to bring their little boy in for a first haircut because his hair is getting long. The boy is a little scared but has no need to worry because Johns Crew will take care of the job and make the little boy feel comfortable for his first haircut. The Barber Pole welcomes the little boy in with excitement and the Crew jumps in to help with the task.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The local support and support from friends was great at the beginning. Now it’s hit a bump in the road trying to market it and get people to click the Amazon site to purchase the book. And also hard to get it in to more book stores.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a barber. I work with my dad who is cutting hair still at 82 years old. I’ve been cutting h for the past 31 years with him. I’m also an entrepreneur. I’ve created my own barber products from beard oil to hair products.

I’m also an Emmy award winner. This is an actual funny story. My brother worked for NESN and he went to do a Bruins shoot and I tagged along to help. At the end the guy running it asked who I was. My brother being the producer the guy thought I was the associate producer. So when it was minutes for an Emmy and win I got one with my name and associate producer.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I can ship books or easiest way is the link for my Amazon book sales.

Pricing:

• Amazon books are $15.95
• Hard cover is $24.99

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.johnscrew.com
• Instagram: @johns_crew_
• Facebook: @JohnsCrew
• Other: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BFTWJGVY/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=2P5RAR20CY5PR&keywords=darren+shea+my+first+haircut&qid=1664241414&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjk2IiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=darren+shea+my+first+haircut%2Caps%2C69&sr=8-1