A young Cuban, originally from Las Tunas, has taken to TikTok to share his journey of pursuing his passion for barbering after relocating to Italy nearly two years ago. In a video posted on the account @la_bodega_del_barbon, Debi* narrates how he initially arrived in the European country with the aim of working as a painter, following in his father's footsteps. Despite this, his heart has always been set on barbering.
"Since I was a child, my passion was always barbering," Debi recalls, mentioning how in Cuba, he used to cut the hair of his cousins and friends, saving them the 10 pesos that a haircut would cost. Upon reaching Italy, he began visiting the barbershop "La Bodega del Barbón" as a client. "Without saying much, I told Carlos that my passion was barbering, and he gave me the opportunity to start here," he shares.
The Journey Begins
In his inspiring account, Debi fondly remembers his first client: "It was a 13-year-old boy... my heart was racing as I cut his hair. You won't believe it, but that boy still comes to me for his haircuts," he says with emotion. Throughout the video, he expresses how fortunate he feels to be working in a field he loves, even while being in a foreign country.
Community Support and Dreams
The video has garnered positive reactions from many users, including fellow Cubans living abroad. "Greetings, my brother, I'm Cuban and working in Romania. My dream is to work in Italy, and if I ever make it, I'll get a haircut with you," commented one user. Others sent messages of encouragement, such as "Blessings, my love, a young man achieving his dreams, you have more to fulfill, like owning your own business!" and "How wonderful, I'm also from Las Tunas. It's great to see you fulfilling your dreams."
The pride in his roots and the support of the Cuban community are evident in the numerous comments the video has received. From Spain, Portugal, Germany, and other places, many share their stories and wish Debi well in this new chapter of his life in Italy.
Looking Forward
"I feel very fortunate to work in what I love, even in a country that isn't my own," Debi states, making it clear that this is just the beginning of his journey.