Meet Barber Joe: Joseph Davis, Notre Dame’s Barber
Name: Joseph Davis, From: South Bend, IN Native, Experience: 37 years in hair styling
Joseph Davis, better known as "Barber Joe," has been shaping haircuts and lives for over 37 years. His journey started at the age of 13 when he took hair matters into his own hands. His mom used to cut his hair, but when she couldn’t master the trendy Bobby Brown styles he wanted, Joseph decided to give it a try himself. From those first self-cuts, he quickly found himself cutting hair for family, friends, and eventually teammates on the basketball and football teams. What began as a hobby, where he initially charged nothing, soon grew into a small business as he upped his prices from $1 to $3, and beyond.
Why Notre Dame?
Joseph began cutting hair for Notre Dame’s football team in 2012, starting at the Gug (Guglielmino Athletics Complex), where he made sure players stayed sharp with fresh cuts right in the locker room. Over time, the demands of family life led him to move his barbering service to LaFortune Student Center, allowing him to balance his passion for hairstyling with more family time.
Inclusivity in Campus Styling
Joseph sees his work as more than just cutting hair—it's about representing the diverse backgrounds of Notre Dame’s students. "You have all types of people with different backgrounds and from different cities. You got to represent what they want," he says. His ability to provide "variety" in haircuts, especially for minority students, has not only been important for personal expression but also serves as a unique recruiting tool for the University. Students frequently compliment Joseph on his work, with many new clients coming through word-of-mouth recommendations. The convenience of having a skilled barber on campus means students don’t have to travel off-campus for a haircut, which Joseph considers a valuable commodity for the community.
Memorable Moments
One of Joseph’s fondest memories working at Notre Dame was receiving an upgraded barber chair when he moved from the locker room to the game room. He even took a photo with Coach Kelly, a memento of his early days cutting for the football team. Joseph draws inspiration from his uncle, who he admired for his skill in cutting hair, and his father, who emphasized the importance of having a trade. Over the years, cutting hair has not just been a job but a way of blessing others. Joseph even gives free haircuts to the homeless, seeing it as a way to make someone smile and feel good.
Appointments
To book an appointment with Joseph, students can find him on the Booksy app, ensuring easy access to his top-tier services right on campus. Barber Joe has become a beloved figure at Notre Dame, not just for his skill with clippers but for his warmth, dedication, and commitment to making sure every student feels represented and confident.