Meet Lucas Velez | Master Barber / entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lucas Velez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lucas, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I decided to pursue an artistic career as I grew up in the era of the 80’s and 90’s. I was privileged enough to have family on the island of Puerto rico and in New York City where everything started. I was exposed to hip-hop in the mid 80’s and then exposed to reggeaton in the 90’s. The style, fashion and music started to unfold in me. growing up in the Bronx and in Puerto rico we all wanted to be rappers and or reggeaton artist. I remember going to NYC in the summer to visit my father and he would bless me with the fashion life style that was lived in NYC at that time. He would buy me all the name brands at that time and all the Hip- Hop music and as I listened to the music all day I started to dream of becoming a rap artist. I would travel back to Puerto Rico with all the fresh shoes and name brand clothing and music from the city and from there it all made sense that I wanted to be an artist. As the time went by I started cutting hair and being creative as well as in the kitchen cooking. However I needed to have a plan B just incase the rapping idea did not unfold that’s when I decided to go back to school and got my Barbers License and that’s how I started my barber career. 21 years later I am a TONSORIAL ARTIST/ Entrepreneur .

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I was born in NYC then moved to PR when I was 7 years old. I lived in PR until I was 21 and that is where I fell in love with the art of creating things and fashion. Growing up in a street environment, I started living the life of the streets, but sooner rather than later, I had to make tough decisions! I started looking up to my barber, Charlie Otero and began to ask him questions as well as hanging out more frequently at the barber shop. From there on, I felt in my heart that being a barber is what I wanted to pursue. After learning the basics, I began cutting my friends hair. I didn’t take it seriously enough, so I stayed in school and played the streets until I got caught. I was 19 and with twins on the way . Having two daughters to live for I decided I had to make some changes in my life, so I went back to my passion. Not having too much experience, I felt that being a barber was in my blood. My mother, Nancy Salvador, was also a hair stylist in her time. So, I went and took a course of barbering in my home town FAJARDO PUERTO RICO and it changed my life for the better. From there, I moved back to the Bronx, New York, where I fully put the trade into play. I’ve worked with a-lot of good barbers /ARTIST and learned a-lot from each and every one of them. Im thankful for all of them as well as people that came into my life for a reason. They were there for a the moment in my life in which I needed them. Some of them are gone and some still in my life. We grew up together and went through moments in which there were cries and laughter, but we enjoyed life to this day and I still have the same passion I had 21 years ago when I started working the art and appreciate every moment that is stored in the memory bank. As I started with my lifestyle as a barber, I wanted to create a brand for barbers. I then created DNA Barbers. My very first brand. From there, I started understanding and learning more about E commerce and branding, so moving forward with DNA Barbers, was a quick success. But, it died down from lack of support and effort on my side. I continued to believe in myself and kept thinking “What can I do next?” I went and purchased a Jet-Ski. While working a 9am-5pm job I had at the time, I was working very hard and found myself upset at the world but I saw my co-worker, Miguel, and say to him “Mike, I cannot do this for the rest of my life. I need to create something I can sell.” Miguel then says to me “Why don’t you make a water sport, outdoor brand. You have your jet-ski. Go out there, find where what people need and the solution.” That’s exactly what I did. Then, 7th Gill was born.

7th Gill represents the predator of the sea Sharks are the only sea creatures that can grow up to 7 gills. That is y i created the name. Being at sea often, I found a lack of products that I needed. I created this brand to fill that need in the market. 7th Gill has products that will protect you from the sun without making you feel as if you have too much on it is a hybrid mix of water sports and cycling . One of my favorite products, are our sunglasses. Being in the water, as the sun reflects off the ocean and into your eyes, these glasses truly make the biggest difference. You get only 10 % of uv rays of the sun, without the glares. I’m very proud of the support I have received for my brand. This is truly a passion. It was no where near easy to get to where I am now. I want everyone to know, this is a brand you can trust with quality products and an owner with passion. Gaining the trust of the public is one of the hardest challenges to overcome. Everyone is skeptical when purchasing from brands that are not sponsored by celebrities or influences, but this brand is truly organic with NO complaints. That is the goal. To have them love what they receive and know they can trust 7th Gill and what we represent. Building 7th Gill has not been easy, but nothing comes easy to those who don’t work hard for it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Monday, pick him up from airport go grab something to eat at river tail restaurant then go to las olas beach to catch a vibe then go relax

Tuesday , get up go eat some breakfast at bistro cafe in miami drink some cuban coffee and go hit south-beach and clevelander for a few hours and get some sun .

Wednesday, go down to the islamorada ride out on the jet skis to alligator reef , and after that go grab something to eat at lazy days restaurant then head back to miami and chill for the afternoon you get really tired-after a day in the sun .

Thursday. we go downtown to Biscayne bay and grab a beer and go to la industria restaurante

Friday. we go grab something to eat then head down to haulover sandbar on wave runners take a ride down the intercostal to monty’s eat some good food chill at the pool and then back up to the sandbar

Saturday. we will go to el otro tiesto restaurante eat some food the then out to wynwood and after that to club eleven

sunday we wake up early and head to west palm beach peanut island and enjoy the day . and that would be the plan

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The Father The son and the Holy spirit ,My wife Danette Velez and my good friend Miguel Villanueva

Website: www.7thgill.com

Instagram: @7th_gill @dna_barbebrs @ lucash_thebarber

Linkedin: Lucas velez

Twitter: @7th_gill

Facebook: @7thgill