“This is totally a typical evening for us” Adriel said as she and Austin licked their ice cream that sat on top of the waffle cones they held.
As soon as she said that, I officially decided that every single couples needs a life like Adriel and Austin.
I came across these two through Instagram awhile back, and instantly knew that I wanted to be their friend. Their focus is so heavily centered around community, and sharing their passions and talents with others.
The way that they live their lives is very simply and slowly, with intention. They don’t overwhelm themselves, and they purposefully keep their lives at a pace so that they never get too busy.
Adriel grew up without a mom, and always felt that something was missing. As she grew up, she knew that she wanted to help women in a way, but didn’t quite realize exactly what that was until she found her true calling as she began studying Health Science. She found a way to help women, and help them discover their bodies and the way a woman’s body is designed/works. Not having a mom all those years really influenced Adriel to help other women reveal the unknown.
A year ago Austin opened up Refined Barber, a barber shop in Downtown Bloomington, Illinois. The way I would describe the shop is: modern, creative, clean, organized, chic, and artistic. I wish I could go to a barber because this place is AMAZING.
I could just tell Austin is perfect at what he does, just seeing him in his shop, interacting with his tools. I could tell that he truly found his calling and is really just so good at what he does.
I officially met Adriel and Austin in person a week ago, where I captured them inside of Austin’s shop “Refined Barber.” We also had fun going out for ice cream, and inside of their beautiful home, along with their dog, Charlie. It was just the sweetest, most perfect evening. Adriel watered their garden, and everything they did that evening really just showed how beautiful their life is, because they do it all together.
They got these matching tattoos on their honeymoon in Oregon last Fall, and it says “Refined.” Can you say GOALS?!
I asked Adriel and Austin some questions so that readers can get to know them better from their words. Below is a Q&A I had with them:
-How long have each of you had your business’s?
Adriel: Well, I don’t know if you can call what I’m doing a business quite yet but I started my blog just a few months ago (April 2018) and I just recently stepped out of full time work to pursue this thing whole-heartedly. I’m hoping to transform what I’m doing into more of a business model by the Fall — which is just a few short months away.
Austin: Approaching a year.
-How would you describe your business’s?
Adriel: It’s hard for me to describe my vision for my business because I think my passions serve each woman so differently. My heart behind what I want to do is to have vulnerable conversations with women. I am passionate about reproductive health because it’s just a taboo/mysterious topic that we so commonly shy away from it, and trust our health care providers to make decisions about our body for us (which leaves us feeling confused at times and stripped of our confidence). I guess you could call me a reproductive health “consultant”, but really, I think of myself more as an advocate/mentor/encourager. What I plan to do is offer workshops in the community that cover menstrual care, breast/chest awareness, contraceptive options, informed decision-making/talking to your health care provider, and body literacy information. From there, I would like to make myself available for one on one consultations with women and perhaps offer some sort of online program for those that can’t meet with me in person.
Austin: I want my business to be instrumental in mens lives. A place of intentionality, where you come for community and refinement. It’s a place where you can be yourself and leave looking your best self.
-Tell me a little bit about your story as a husband/wife team:
Adriel: Oh boy! Well..to be honest, I was scared when Austin started pursuing this whole business-owner thing because there’s just so much left unknown when opening a business. I’m thankful that he felt so called and confident to open a barbershop because it encouraged me to trust his vision at the time. At this time last year he was taking a leap of faith to open his barbershop and my role was to encourage him. We have officially switched roles as now I am the one taking a leap of faith to get my business going and he is my encourager and advocate. I think we really compliment each other well as business owners because Austin is visionary and I can be very “Okay, this is what needs to happen to get this done”….some would call that bossy. We have similar aesthetics and are both creatives at heart so when we get on a kick about something, we are going to see it through together and make sure the end product is perfect. I think Refined Barbershop and the culture we have created around that is a testimony to just that.
Austin: I am a very visionary individual. Sometimes so much Adriel can have some hesitancy when I share my visions. But she has been my teammate and my partner every step of the way. We balance each other out in so many ways. I get ahead of myself, she brings me back in, I want the nicest things, she keeps me humble, I work to death, and she tells me to rest. Couldn’t do any of this without her.
-What makes your business’s unique?
Adriel: The fact that there aren’t a lot of resources for those that want to approach their reproductive health from a holistic and informed perspective. That’s a whole other topic, because there SHOULD be more resources readily available for women. I am providing unique information and starting a unique conversation…one that leaves women feeling empowered. My hope is that I can be someone that can bring a sense of security and peace to a topic that might raise a lot of anxiety, questions, concerns and confusion for some.
Austin: How intentional I am about quality and relationships. You get my very best every time because what I do I consider art.. and beyond the art I get to spend time with people and get to know who they are and enjoy their stories. And hopefully it can all be an avenue that points to the greatest story of all.
-What does a typical day look like for you?
Adriel: Matcha. Charlie (our puppy). Study. Meet-ups with women. Cook. Husband. Water flowers. Netflix. Our life is simple, we aren’t busy people and we intend to live life that way as long as we can.
Austin: Coffee, quiet. 8-5, lots of creative juices flowing. Slow paced and fun. lunch in the middle. home for dinner.
-What keeps you going (your favorite thing about having your business?)
Adriel: Oh man, I love so much when women say to me “HOW COME I NEVER KNEW THIS?! I FEEL SO HOPEFUL!”…I know that feeling to my core and I have experienced how much freedom that feeling can bring to a situation. I could never make a dime but feel satisfied knowing that women felt a sense of encouragement, hope and empowerment through learning information that I can bring to the table.
Austin: Building relationships and making connections. Sometimes cutting hair can get old, I always try to be creative because of that. But the conversations I get to have with my clients are pretty amazing.
-What’s a fun fact about both of you?
Adriel: For most of my high school (and first year of college) career, I thought I was going to go to school for fashion and move out to LA as soon as I could. I still have a love for fashion, especially street wear, but have lost touch with it over the last few years.
Austin: I’m half Mexican.
These two truly inspire me. Not only in the way they love their community and building relationships with others, but in the way that they want to help others. I love the support that they give one another, and the perfect balance that their personalities feed off of each other. So very thankful I had the opportunity to meet and get to know these two creatives, and I’m very excited to watch their business’s continue to bloom.
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