Today we’d like to introduce you to Hill Romeo
Hi Hill, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m Hillary “Hill” Romeo, the owner and lead barber at Angelo’s Barber Collective, a vintage-inspired shop that’s as much about honoring my family’s history as it is about delivering expert barbering services. With 17 years of experience, I began my career in cosmetology before quickly transitioning into barbering. About halfway through my journey, I found my true passion in beard sculpting and shaving, and today, I’m known as the go-to expert for all things beard and shave-related.
Attention to detail is everything to me. It’s the one thing I hear from my clients over and over again: how much they appreciate the precision I bring to each service. Whether it’s a fresh fade, a signature shave, or a perfectly sculpted beard, I take the time to make sure every cut and every detail is exactly right. It’s this dedication to quality that has helped me build such a loyal clientele.
A few years ago, I started feeling unfulfilled in my career. I wanted more than just cutting hair—I wanted to create something of my own. Even though I was terrified, I took the leap and opened Angelo’s Barber Collective on February 1, 2024. It was a dream years in the making, and it felt only right to name the shop after my grandfather, Angelo—the man who was always my biggest supporter and believed in me from the start. The vintage theme throughout the shop is something we shared throughout our lives, and I’ve filled the space with his antiques and photos, keeping his memory alive in everything I do.
One of the most exciting parts of owning Angelo’s has been the opportunity to collaborate with a local entrepreneur on a signature beard care line. We crafted our own blend of beard oil, balm, and butters, handmade right here in St. Louis. Our signature scent—mint, lavender, and bergamot with rich undertones of sandalwood, vanilla, and amber—has become a hit with my clients. When you support Angelo’s Barber Collective, you’re not only supporting my shop, but also another local small business.
To further introduce Angelo’s Barber Collective and our beard brand to the St. Louis community, we’ve been hosting pop-up events around the city. These pop-ups are all about creating brand awareness and giving people the chance to experience our products and services in a new way. We’re excited to bring our beard care line directly to the people, share the story behind it, and connect with even more clients who appreciate the quality and craftsmanship behind what we do.
Opening Angelo’s has been the most fulfilling step in my career. It’s where I get to do what I love every day while honoring my grandfather’s legacy. Whether you’re coming in for a classic cut, a relaxing shave, or a custom beard sculpting session, you can expect nothing less than meticulous care and attention to detail in every service.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When I first decided to become a barber, I had one major thing going for me: I could kind of cut hair. I mean, I knew the basics—how to hold clippers, how to perform a great hot towel service and shampoo—but beyond that? I was like a deer caught in headlights. No idea what I was doing, but I had a dream and I had no other option but to succeed.
In school, they teach you the basics. But what they don’t teach you is what it’s like to walk into a shop and actually cut someone’s hair.
The first few weeks were a blur of shaky hands, nervous laughter, and more “Are you sure you want me to cut your hair?” moments than I care to admit. I thought knowing how to buzz someone’s head was the key to everything. Turns out, it’s a tiny part of the job. There’s a whole lot more to it—like understanding how to match up styles to faces, managing your time so you don’t accidentally take an hour and a half on a simple trim, and trying to look confident when inside you’re thinking, “Please don’t ask for a skin fade”
Let me tell you about a specific moment that threw me into a full-blown panic. I remember taking a client at my first job. He asked me to fade the back of his hair so that there was no line. No line. I immediately got nervous because I had no idea what he was even talking about. I’d never been taught that, and frankly, I didn’t even know it was possible. It was one of those “uh-oh” moments that every newbie barber has—when you realize you’re in way over your head.
Needless to say, he didn’t leave the shop with exactly what he asked for. But here’s the thing: I didn’t just let that failure slide. I took it personally (in a good way) and made it my mission to understand everything I wasn’t taught in school. At the time, 17 years ago, barber school taught the basics and left the rest to real-life experience. So, I went home, did my research, practiced my fades, and made sure I never made that mistake again.
I quickly learned that the hustle is real. The first few months, I was more excited about getting a repeat customer than cutting a perfect fade. I was offering free touch-ups, discounts, and even throwing in a little shampoo massage (trust me, that’s not a part of the basic curriculum). Slowly but surely, I built a small following—mostly from word of mouth. We didn’t have social media back then, I literally made post cards and went to parking lots and left them on everyones windshields in downtown St. Louis hoping ONE person would come in .
Looking back on those early days, I can’t help but laugh. I made mistakes—lots of them—and there were plenty of moments where I wanted to throw in the towel. But with every awkward haircut, every “Can I just get a little off the sides?” request, and every tired muscle, I got better.
My advice to anyone starting out in this (or any) industry? Stick with it. The obstacles? They’re not just bumps in the road—they’re lessons in disguise. And one day, you’ll look back and think, “I survived that? Heck yeah, I did.”
So, if you’re just starting out, don’t worry about being perfect. Focus on learning, growing, and laughing at your mistakes along the way. Because trust me, you’ll have plenty of those.
Pricing:
- Men’s Haircut $47
- Old School Hot Shave $50
- Beard Trim with straight razor edging $45
- Straight Razor Head Shave $50
- Combo Pricing Available
Contact Info:
- Website: https://SouthCityBarbers.com
- Instagram: hillromeo.barber and angelos_barbercollective
