Behind the Business: Insights from the Everyday Entrepreneur with Ethos GSFM

We’ve all had a similar experience of learning that your grooming appointment, no matter how far in advance you scheduled it, has been delayed. For most of us, we huff and puff, then settle in for the wait at the salon or barbershop. For Jonathan Jacobs however, he decided enough was enough, he had outgrown the traditionally unprofessional barbershop experience. Jacobs left the barbershop with a plan in mind, and just a few years later he opened his first Ethos Grooming Station for Men (GSFM) luxury grooming location in 2017.

ABOUT THE BUSINESS

P2P’s Egypt Graham met with Jonathan Jacobs of Ethos GSFM at their Center City location. The sound of clippers and soulful music complimented the clean, sleek design of the sophisticated grooming studio. Neutral tones paired with a chevron woodgrain made for a naturally elegant space that anyone could appreciate.

Ethos GSFM is a men’s grooming company designed to bring a distinguished grooming experience to the metropolitan gentleman. In addition to the traditional hair cut men have come to expect when seated in the barber chair, Ethos offers additional grooming services such as beard maintenance, steam treatments and neck massages along with products from a New Zealand based men’s hair care line. Guests are greeted with a friendly face and a glass of bourbon as their personal barber gauges how to best improve their client’s character. Put simply, to call Ethos GSFM a barbershop is an understatement.

THE REALITIES OF GETTING STARTED

“If I see something I want to do, I’ll do it.”. That is the mindset of founder Jonathan Jacobs when he quit his job in finance to pursue his entrepreneurial dream. However, Jacobs quickly learned that dreams are hard earned, especially in a down economy. Business loans were sucked up by the recession and new business endeavors simply weren’t of interest to potential investors. Nonetheless, he persisted through several seasons of doubt and low points on his trajectory to success. Jacobs describes his entrepreneurial journey as exhilarating, stressful and satisfying in nature. The act of brooding over your vision, identifying complex solutions when problems arise and finding trust in business partners are all encountered on the road to starting a business. 

THE ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

“The Attitude of Gratitude” is the motto Jacobs lives by. During his interview, he shared that “Gratitude mitigates the negative that comes with being an entrepreneur”. Jacobs attributes this attitude towards his ability to wake up every morning and find something to be thankful for. He keeps in mind that as long as he is moving forward, even in baby steps, that progress is yet another thing to be grateful for throughout the day.

ADVICE TO FUTURE ENTREPRENEURS: BURN THE BOAT

Ethos GSFM serves as a stellar example of what can result when you put your head down, do the work and push past obstacles that arise during your entrepreneurial journey. Though Jacobs’ journey is continually evolving every day, he has learned some significant lessons thus far. “Burn the boat”, an old Viking term, is a quote Jacobs used to inspire himself to take a leap of faith into the unknown depths of self-starter. This is the same advice he gives to young entrepreneurs today. To burn the boat meant to go fourth and conquer, no matter what stands in your way. Make the decision that you are going to be successful and nobody else if going to stop you. While many of us do not have a literal boat to burn, we can take this as a lesson to leave behind any other option that is not aligned with the ultimate success of your business.

You can learn more about Jonathon Jacobs and his business, Ethos Grooming Station for Men by visiting their website, Instagram and Facebook pages.

ABOUT TO THE SERIES

“Behind the Business: Insights from the Everyday Entrepreneur” is a written interview series developed by the Planning 2 Perfection team. In each interview, we will explore the entrepreneurial journeys of everyday people turned self-starter and how they have been able to grow their business. Interviews will span across various industries to offer a wide array of advice, learning lessons and personal anecdotes.