From Cutting Hair at 13 to Building an Empire: Adrian “Apex” Morales’ Story
Timestamps are as accurate as they can be but may be slightly off. We encourage you to listen to the full context.
Podcast Summary
In this inspiring episode, Adrian "Apex" Morales shares his remarkable journey from cutting hair at age 13 to building multiple successful businesses by 28. (00:45) Starting with strict immigrant parents who insisted on college, Apex earned a finance degree from USF before diving full-time into barbering. (04:00) Four years ago, after overcoming addiction and gang-related influences through mentorship, he opened Fadeaway Barbershop in Plant City, Florida, which became the top-rated barbershop in the area. Recently, he expanded into financial services with Apex Tax Pros LLC, combining his finance education with real-world business experience.
- Main Theme: The episode focuses on how strategic mentorship, community service, and financial literacy can transform lives and build sustainable business empires, even in traditional service industries like barbering.
Speakers
Adrian "Apex" Morales
Adrian is a 28-year-old multi-passionate entrepreneur who has been cutting hair for 14 years, starting at age 13. He holds a finance degree from the University of South Florida and owns Fadeaway Barbershop, the #1 rated barbershop in Plant City, Florida. He also runs Apex Tax Pros LLC, providing tax consulting and financial advisory services. His businesses are built on community service, including weekly free haircuts for those in need, which has earned recognition from Bay News 9.
Paul Alex
Paul is the host of the Level Up podcast, a former police officer turned 8-figure entrepreneur who has built multiple online businesses. He specializes in digital marketing and business mentorship, having invested heavily in his own education and now helps aspiring entrepreneurs scale their ventures. He recently relocated to Puerto Rico and is expecting his first child.
Key Takeaways
Strategic Mentorship Investment Yields Life-Changing Results
Apex invested $10,000 in mentorship when he was struggling with addiction and poor life choices. (11:09) His mentor challenged him with a pivotal question: "Tell me right now you'll cut off all your friends, put your head down and work hard for one year." This single conversation and subsequent mentorship completely transformed his trajectory, proving that investing in the right guidance can compress decades of learning into months of focused action.
Community Service Creates Unshakeable Business Foundations
Fadeaway Barbershop built its reputation through consistent community service, providing free haircuts every Sunday to those in need. (12:38) This approach, inspired by Apex's uncle's generous spirit, not only generated significant media coverage on Bay News 9 but created deep community loyalty. The strategy demonstrates that businesses built on genuine service create competitive advantages that can't be replicated through marketing alone.
Sequential Business Building Prevents Entrepreneurial Burnout
Rather than trying to build multiple businesses simultaneously, Apex spent four years solidifying Fadeaway Barbershop before launching Apex Tax Pros. (30:00) He allocates 70% of his time to the barbershop and 30% to family during off-tax season, then shifts focus when appropriate. This disciplined approach prevents the "shiny object syndrome" that destroys many entrepreneurs who spread themselves too thin across multiple ventures.
Financial Literacy Education Through Service Delivery
Apex leverages his position as a barber to educate clients about financial literacy, using the intimate, trusted environment of the barber chair to deliver valuable advice. (26:44) This organic approach to financial consulting allows him to build relationships and trust before offering formal tax services, creating a natural sales funnel that doesn't feel salesy or aggressive.
Systematic Time Management Drives Multi-Business Success
Apex structures his day starting with gym sessions for mental clarity, followed by focused time at the barbershop, with no television at home—only a laptop and podcast room for continuous learning. (34:35) He emphasizes that "if you go your day without a goal, then you're gonna have a goalless day," demonstrating how intentional daily planning enables managing multiple high-demand businesses without sacrificing quality.
Statistics & Facts
- Apex started cutting hair at age 13 and has been in the barbering industry for 14 years, making him one of the most experienced barbers in his area despite being only 28 years old. (04:06)
- He purchased his first house at age 22, demonstrating early financial success and discipline that set the foundation for his entrepreneurial journey. (08:35)
- Apex made back his initial investment in Apex Tax Pros within the first three months of launching, showing strong market demand and effective business execution. (33:34)
