Today we’d like to introduce you to Valerie Espinoza.
Hi Valerie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
From the West Side to a Vision of Legacy
By Valerie Espinoza, Owner of Dapper G Barber College
My name is Valerie Espinoza, and I am the proud owner of Dapper G Barber College. My journey did not begin with a clear plan or a straight path. Like many others, I had to find my purpose through struggle, faith, and determination.
Between the ages of 18 and 21, my life revolved around the nightlife. I worked in clubs and lived a fast, wild lifestyle, unsure of what I truly wanted to do with my life. I tried college but never finished, and I barely graduated high school. I grew up on the west side of San Antonio, raised by my mother as a single parent at the time, while my father was incarcerated.
My mother never gave up on us. She has worked tirelessly to make sure my brothers and I were fed and cared for. She raised us in church, and looking back, I truly believe that foundation of faith helped guide me through my darkest and most confusing years. I know today that my mother’s prayers were answered.My mother is always here to encourage me and holds my hand in every obstacle in my life and to tell me “that’s our walk in faith with God.” Thank you, I love you mom.
At 22 years old, my life changed forever when I had my daughter, Angelina. At 23, I welcomed my son Marky, and at 25, I had Manuel. I vividly remember holding my daughter’s hand, carrying a baby in my arms, and being pregnant all at once. I was living in housing at the time, and reality hit me hard. I knew the nightlife could no longer be an option. My children needed stability, and I needed purpose.
That was when my mother and my aunt encouraged me to try cosmetology school. Taking that step changed everything. I completed cosmetology school, earned my license in 2009, and went back the following year to earn my instructor’s license in 2010. I worked at corporate salons like Great Clips and Fantastic Sam’s, where I built my skills and gained loyal customers.
Around 2015, I briefly began working at a call center, where I was hired into a new-hire training position. While there, I met a barber who introduced me to a word that would change my life—Dapper. The moment I heard it, I knew it was special. I knew it would be the name of my future business.
Soon after, I was offered an opportunity to open my first barbershop on General McMullen. I took a leap of faith and opened Dapper G Barbershop. That decision transformed my life. My family and I began to experience stability and success. My father came home and was able to help me with painting and building out my barbershops, something that meant more to me than words can explain.
From there, I opened a total of four barbershops across San Antonio, including locations on Quiet Plain Drive, SW Loop 410, and Timber Path. As I grew, I experienced a spiritual vision from god that I would open a barber school of my own.
In 2018, that vision became reality when I transformed my barbershop at 1305 SW Loop 410 into Dapper G Barber College. But I didn’t stop there. Along the way, I also owned an ice cream truck and a party bus company. I was blessed to purchase two homes—one being my grandmother Josie’s house and another beautiful home for my children. All the changes I made in my life were finally showing results. I was chasing dreams, and nothing was going to stop me.
Today, I thank god that Dapper G Barber College is still open and thriving. I am now expanding once again by opening a cosmetology school next door at the same location, 1305 SW Loop 410, Suite 210. Our grand opening is planned for spring 2026.
I am grateful for every chapter of my life—the past, the present, and the future. Every struggle shaped me, every lesson strengthened me, and every dream pushed me forward. My mission has always been bigger than myself. I strive to make a difference not only for my family, but for my community, and for anyone who believes that no matter where you start, with faith, hard work, and perseverance, anything is possible.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
From the West Side to a Vision of Legacy
By Valerie Espinoza, Owner of Dapper G Barber College
My name is Valerie Espinoza, and I am the proud owner of Dapper G Barber College. My journey did not begin with a clear plan or a straight path. Like many others, I had to find my purpose through struggle, faith, and determination.
Between the ages of 18 and 21, my life revolved around the nightlife. I worked in clubs and lived a fast, wild lifestyle, unsure of what I truly wanted to do with my life. I tried college but never finished, and I barely graduated high school. I grew up on the west side of San Antonio, raised by my mother as a single parent at the time, while my father was incarcerated.
Thanks to my mother she never gave up on us. She has worked tirelessly to make sure my brothers and I were fed and cared for. She raised us in church, and looking back, I truly believe that foundation of faith helped guide me through my darkest and most confusing years. I know today that my mother’s prayers were answered. My mother is always here to encourage me and holds my hand in every obstacle in my life and to tell me “that’s our walk in faith with God.” Thank you, I love you mom.
At 22 years old, my life changed forever when I had my daughter, Angelina. At 23, I welcomed my son Marky, and at 25, I had Manuel. I vividly remember holding my daughter’s hand, carrying a baby in my arms, and being pregnant all at once. I was living in housing at the time, and reality hit me hard. I knew the nightlife could no longer be an option. My children needed stability, and I needed purpose.
That was when my mother and my aunt encouraged me to try cosmetology school. Taking that step changed everything. I completed cosmetology school, earned my license in 2009, and went back the following year to earn my instructor’s license in 2010. I worked at corporate salons like Great Clips and Fantastic Sam’s, where I built my skills and gained loyal customers.
Around 2015, I briefly began working at a call center, where I was hired into a new-hire training position. While there, I met a barber who introduced me to a word that would change my life—Dapper. The moment I heard it, I knew it was special. I knew it would be the name of my future business.
Soon after, I was offered an opportunity to open my first barbershop on General McMullen. I took a leap of faith and opened Dapper G Barbershop. That decision transformed my life. My family and I began to experience stability and success. My father came home and was able to help me with painting and building out my barbershops, something that meant more to me than words can explain.
From there, I opened a total of four barbershops across San Antonio, including locations on Quiet Plain Drive, SW Loop 410, and Timber Path. As I grew, I experienced a spiritual vision from god that I would open a barber school of my own.
In 2018, that vision became reality when I transformed my barbershop at 1305 SW Loop 410 into Dapper G Barber College. But I didn’t stop there. Along the way, I also owned an ice cream truck and a party bus company. I was blessed to purchase two homes—one being my grandmother Josie’s house and another beautiful home for my children. All the changes I made in my life were finally showing results. I was chasing dreams, and nothing was going to stop me.
Today, I thank god that Dapper G Barber College is still open and thriving. I am now expanding once again by opening a cosmetology school next door at the same location, 1305 SW Loop 410, Suite 210. Our grand opening is planned for spring 2026.
I am grateful for every chapter of my life—the past, the present, and the future. Especially for my mother who I love dearly. Every struggle shaped me, every lesson strengthened me, and every dream pushed me forward. My mission has always been bigger than myself. I strive to make a difference not only for my family, but for my community, and for anyone who believes that no matter where you start, with faith, hard work, and perseverance, anything is possible.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
My kids followed my footsteps means so much to me. My boys mark and Manuel are cutting hair and my daughter does nails with art work. And having my kids fallowing in the same industry mean so much to me.
Pricing:
- $8 men woman and kids haircut
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dappergbarbercollege_/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DapperGBarberCollege/
