John Herrera
John is the owner of JuuJ Coiffure on Kaliste Saloom. He is one of the coolest people you will ever meet, and I’m not just saying that because he often has scissors just inches from my throat. He is one of those people who is doing exactly what they are meant to be doing, and I love people like that. John manages to combine a mischievous grin with a total air of calm. He is professional but never predictable and that makes me smile.
What was your first job?
My first job was at Baskin Robbins as a senior in high school. I can make a mean banana split.
Describe a typical day in your life.
I usually start with a 5:30 WOD at CrossFit Lafayette. Then I take my daughter to school for 7:30. I get to my salon by 10 AM and take anywhere from 8-12 clients till about 7 or 7:30 PM. I’m home just in time to hang out with my wife and 3 kids for about an hour, then we say prayers and tuck the kids in around 8:30 or 9. I try to get to bed before 10:30 so I can wake up and do it all again.
What advice would you give the younger you?
Live like you were dying.
What values do you live by?
Family, balance, passion,
What living figure most inspires you?
My wife. She challenges me to live “eternity-minded.”
What was the best advice you were ever given?
“Know when to hold ‘em, Know when to fold ‘em, Know when to walk away, Know when to run” Kenny Rogers.
What book would you tell everyone to read?
Power of a Praying Husband, Wife, etc. by Stormie Omartian
What is the best thing about where you live?
Hospitality.
How do you “let the good times roll”?
Cow tipping.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a surf shop owner.
What is your motto?
Right is right, even if no one is doing it. Wrong is wrong, even if everyone is doing it.
How would you like to be remembered?
As someone who made a difference in at least one person’s life.
What do you say to yourself when you doubt yourself?
Just keep swimming! Picture Dory on Finding Nemo.
What three things are vital to being you?
Music, Laughter, and Ambition.
Which words or phrases do most overuse?
Seriously…I use it as a question, a statement, and an exclamation. Seriously? Seriously. Seriously!
and Ridonkulous.
What is your favorite word?
JuuJ. The proper spelling is tzsuj; it’s a Yiddish verb that means to tweak, finesse, or make better. It’s also the name of my salon, JuuJ Coiffure.
What do you collect?
I would like to have a watch collection someday, but I have too many mouths to feed at home.
What food could you live on for a month?
Mexican, but the kind you get from any place in California with ‘bertos in the name-Alberto’s, Filberto’s, Roberto’s, etc.
What would you change about yourself?
I probably would get rid of my tattoos. I’d be bringing wholesome back.
Describe yourself in five words.
Blessed, amicable, independent, optimistic, fun-loving.
What is your idea of happiness?
Spending time with my children.
What is your favorite movie?
Pulp Fiction, one of the best quotable movies EVER.
What music defines who you are?
I’m a huge fan of DMB, but I grew up on punk rock and reggae.
What do you most regret?
I regret some of the things I did in my life, but what I regret most are the things I did NOT do.
If we want to be creative on a consistent basis we need to have a strong mind and as much as we try and pretend otherwise part of having a strong mind is having a strong body. I know that when I’m tired and lets face it – fat, I am less creative, less driven and less successful.
It’s true. Your Habits Show. We can tell who is working out and who isn’t – it doesn’t really matter what they say, your habits show. It’s time for me to stop kidding myself that ‘I’m quite fit really’ and get into working out consistently. My body deserves it. My creativity needs it.
