Florida Barbershop Survives Hurricane, Welcomes Clients Home

When Hurricane Ian ripped through Englewood, Florida in 2022, it didn't just tear the roof off Nick Finley's barbershop. It threatened to end a family legacy built on connection, consistency, and care.

Finley started cutting hair at 17, inspired by his sister Sarah who had already built a successful career in the industry. He graduated barber school just before turning 18 and bought into a small barbershop in his hometown, starting a journey that's now lasted 15 years.

What began as Finley's Barber Shop eventually became Barberstry & Company, a business rooted in something deeper than haircuts. Finley works over 50 hours a week, building relationships that span years watching elementary school kids grow into high school graduates.

Then Ian hit. The storm forced Barberstry out of Feodor's Plaza on South McCall Road, turning what the team thought would be a temporary setback into a three-year odyssey.

Finley moved from one temporary location to another, doing everything possible to hold the business together and keep serving clients. The physical and emotional toll was real, but he never stopped pushing forward.

Now, Barberstry & Company is finally back in its original plaza. While they're still rebuilding physically and emotionally, one thing hasn't changed: their resilience.

Why This Inspires

Finley's story shows what happens when passion meets purpose. He genuinely loves what he does, so working long hours doesn't feel like work to him, it feels like building something meaningful.

The connections he's formed over 15 years became his lifeline during the hardest three years. Those clients didn't just wait for him to return, they trusted him enough to follow him from location to location.

That kind of loyalty doesn't come from great haircuts alone. It comes from showing up consistently, caring deeply, and treating customers like extended family.

Finley's advice to aspiring entrepreneurs cuts straight to the truth: master your craft, understand your community, have a solid plan, and most importantly, know your why. When disaster strikes, your passion is what keeps you standing.

The storm tested everything Finley built, but it couldn't break the foundation of trust and community he'd spent years creating.