Jarrell's Hometown Barbershop: Where Style Meets Community

Housed in a historic gas station and blending a classic barber shop feel with a modern highend twist, Compass Barbershop is far from your average, in-and-out barbershop. “We pride ourselves on the time we spend with our clients while they are in our chairs. In that time, we are not only crafting haircuts, but we are building relationships we can only hope last for years to come,” owner Becca Martinez says.

Originally from Seattle, she built a name for herself as a top-tier barber and team leader at various high-end barbershops before leveraging her management and barbering skills for herself and making the break towards becoming a business owner.

“My mother-in-law is a successful buyer for Boeing, and I knew she and her knowledge of corporate-level contracts and human resources would be great in my corner. One morning, after a long night of me rambling off my thoughts to her, she brought me a cup of coffee and said, ‘We got this!’ That’s when it became a family business. We chose Jarrell after realizing the area’s growth and untapped potential for clients.”

While helping build her family’s home in Jarrell, Becca scoured every vacant building in the area for a home for their new business before finally discovering the perfect spot at a former gas station just off I-35 in north Jarrell. The building needed serious TLC, but with her we-got-this mentality and help from her husband and six kids, she transformed it into the popular barbershop it is today. Compass remains a true family business, with her husband passing out business fliers all over Jarrell when they

first opened, and her kids helping with everything from cleaning and manning the front desk to decorating for the holidays.

STORIES FROM THE CHAIR

What sets Compass Barbershop apart from other shops is its dedication to elevated client service.

“We focus on taking things a step further while we are with our clients. You can get a haircut at any barbershop or salon but, here, you can get a haircut with a drink and a hot towel neck shave that comes with a massage. You can get an old-fashioned face shave while you drink an Old Fashioned. We are really the only barbershop anywhere in the area

where you can find that kind of service,” Becca says, adding that she loves making people look and feel better. Compass’ positioning is clear when it comes to where they stand in the barbering industry, and that’s to stand out from the rest.

One of the barbers, Tasha Lackey, recalls her favorite client experience. “One guy who came in hadn’t had a haircut in 20 years. He had always kept it in dreads, these beautiful braids. He told me he was getting it cut because his wife had cancer and she had shaved her hair the night before, so he decided to do it too. He was scared but I was able to make him feel comfortable. It’s such a close experience to my heart. Those are the clients I live for.” She adds, “I’ve worked in a lot of places, and here, the people come first. That’s what I love.”

Becca emphasizes that Compass Barbershop is not just about cutting hair; it’s about building relationships. That passion for her clientele keeps her motivated through haircutting challenges. “I don’t think I can stop cutting. My hands might hurt, I might get tired, but then I think of not seeing my favorite clients, or my little ones that wait all month to tell me about their baseball games, and I know that I would miss them so much.”

COMMUNITY ROOTS

Compass is deeply rooted in Jarrell, giving back to the town that has embraced it. For Father’s Day, they hosted a car show at the middle school, raising more than $1,000 for the school district. They have also donated to the athletic department and booster club – a cause near to their hearts as Becca’s children are all athletes or plan to be in the future. They have donated to and supported JISD’s FFA department as well as worked with JISD to give free haircuts during their back-to-school event. Compass will also participate in the Sonterra Parks and Recreation and Williamson County Fire Department’s Trunk-or-Treat on October 26 and have a float at Jarrell

High School’s homecoming parade on November 6. People are welcome to check out the shop for themselves on December 1 while the team hosts “Santa at the Shop” and get pictures with Santa and his helpers.

After moving from Seattle, Becca and her husband promised their kids a forever home with friends they could grow up with. “We dove into the community right away and never imagined we would have become ingrained so quickly. Now our children have teachers, coaches, and family friends that come to the shop and support us, so we do everything we can to return the favors.”

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