Eppy Dueno Biography
A Hair Masters Story
Hello, my name is Eppy Dueno. I am the proud father of four beautiful daughters and the very blessed husband of an endearing, faithful, and wonderful Woman whose great loyalty and insight gave her the undying gift of love and forgiveness when I needed it most.
My daughters have asked me to write a short bio of my life for reference to this web-site on how I got to be the professional hair stylist that I am today. I took on this task thinking that it would be a piece of cake. Surely all I have to do is recount the major events in my life that significantly impacted my person, family and career. As the memories began to unfold however, I quickly realized that this would be no easy feat.
How could I jump from one fact to another without fully explaining to my self and my daughters the reasoning if any, for my actions? For instance, why did I choose to be a barber at the tender age of fourteen? How was I able to own my first barber shop at sixteen when adversity surrounded my life like a thick black blanket? Why did I choose to be an actor? But most of all I needed to put into clear words how I found the strength to love and forgive my parents in spite of the horrific events I had to endure as a child and even as a young man. What divine power enabled me to move on and be successful?
Although my family is proud of my accomplishments; a sentiment that I whole heartedly appreciate, my accomplishments are not what has grounded me into a solid foundation. The love of my wife and children, the respect of my friends and peers and a solid faith in God is what has kept me healthy and strong and able to do those things I love most: reading a good book, taking a stroll on a beautiful day, sharing quality time with my family and yes, cutting hair.
I was conceived in the classical love story drama event. You have probably seen the movie or the soap opera that depicts the very wealthy protagonist falling in love with the maid and risking his whole inheritance for the chance to live happily ever after with the hired help. Well that is how I came to this world except my parents did not live happily ever after, far from it as a matter of fact.
My father was married to a young woman whose family was very powerful and feared. Divorce of course was out of the question so they kept the “incident with the maid” (my mother may God rest her soul), a big dark and forbidden secret. My father was eventually disowned and conceived eight more children with my mother. We lived in extreme poverty while my mother struggled to feed, clothe and protect me and my siblings from my father’s inebriated wrath.
My father eventually hung himself after his attempt to put a gun to his head and pulling the trigger failed to do the job. My mother was then left alone with eight children and little hope. She began to beat out her frustrations on me. I was the oldest and looked identical to my father (blonde wavy hair and light skin) and she often times accused me of trying to imitate my father’s mannerisms. I know my mother loved me in her own way; she was mentally ill, damaged goods due to my father’s abuse. I’m just glad that my little brothers and sisters were not in her line of fire. That was a misfortune that I alone endured. I remember her wishing me dead in an act of rage after I was diagnosed with tuberculosis and still I could not get my self to hate her. I loved my mother regardless; after all, she was the only mother I ever had.
Once a year my parents would scrape up some money to buy shoes for us. They would take us to the nearest town and the trip would become a family outing. I remember peeping through the window of a barber shop and seeing a man pay the barber some money and I knew right then and there, I could be a barber and get paid for cutting hair. One day as I was recovering from a beating out in the field I found a scissor, a huge one that was used to cut sheep or weeds. I practiced cutting the hair off of every animal I could get my hands on cats, pigs, sheep the neighbor’s horse, anything. I eventually tried my talents on humans and realized that I had IT: hence my long life career as a Barber.
At the age of sixteen I set out to town. I would open my first barber shop.
One chair, one mirror, one scissor, one blade, one sharpening stone and one good old fashion sharpening leather strap. My love for this profession was so profound that I felt complete bliss exercising my daily duty. I did not have a set price, patrons paid me what they could if at all, I was just grateful for their trust and the opportunity to practice and perfect my trade.
Each Saturday I would give my mother most of the money as to help feed my siblings; there were so many of us though, that it never seemed to be enough. I was happy to give my earnings for the well being of my family: my three baby sisters and my two brothers. By this time two of my siblings had succumbed to the deadly diseases of that era.
My barber shop was in full swing one and a half years later. I had managed to build up my clientele and reputation; my tools and supplies were multiplying and my mother was treating me with the respect that any working man deserves. She appreciated my contributions and even gifted me with a brand new straight blade. All seemed to be going well and brighter days were ahead but suddenly, everything came to a halt. I was diagnosed with tuberculosis.
Abruptly, my dreams had been shattered. I wanted to be a successful barber and hair stylist; I wanted a family, a beautiful wife and good children. I dreamed of becoming a movie star and a radio disc jockey. Just like any teenager, I had dreams and a vivid imagination: I wanted it all. That dreaded disease sought to rob me of everything, fear had replaced those ambitions and now I had to fight to win them back.
My mother took on the duty of caring for me while I struggled to beat a disease that took the life of sixty percent of its victims. The emotional toll it had on her weighed to heavy and I eventually had to be admitted to a community that catered to patients with the deadly infection. The pain and loneliness I suffered during that period was humbling to say the least, but I am grateful to my mother for the hard days and long nights she spent by my side and to God for giving me the chance to beat that fate and go on with my life; a rich and full one at that.
I remember the day I was declared officially cured. Like any one would remember their wedding day or a great vacation or winning the lottery I too reminisce on the joy that I felt the day the doctors handed me the pink slip (if you will) to exit the sick farm and join the living once again. I guess in essence you can say that I too won the lottery.
At last, the big day; the day I would open my own shop once again. Life has been grand and nothing could stop me now and since then, nothing has. I met my beautiful wife fell in love and moved to New York City where I would eventually stay for over forty years opening salon after salon: all very successful I might add.
One thing I knew for sure was that I had been gifted with a talent and an ability to serve. My clients came first in my book and I believe that is why our customers stayed with us, some for over forty years. Every body who was somebody in that great city got their hair cut by me at one point or another. My employees were inspired by all the possibilities available in the hair business and many went on to open their own barber shops and hair salons.
Eventually I became a movie actor starring in eleven Spanish movies and also tried my talents as a radio disc jockey; with my own show for several years. Barbering however has always paid the bills and then some.
I owe my success to God my wife, my daughters and the credo of life that I have always lived by; stay humble and be kind to others. Give with a joyful heart and never be spiteful. Learn all you can about your profession and always strive for perfection. Educate your self so that you can have intelligent conversations because nobody likes a dummy. Keep your business clean and maintain your customers happy. But most of all, and this is the most important tip, never ever give up on your dreams.
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