Black Orchid Barbers

Stockist Spotlight

Great haircuts. Bad Advice.

Black Orchid Barbers is a reflection of Indianapolis, shaped by its history but very much alive in the present. What started as a nod to a neighborhood speakeasy has grown into a modern barbershop built on connection, craft, and a genuinely welcoming energy. It is appointment-based without feeling rigid, polished without losing personality, and consistent across locations while still letting each chair carry its own rhythm. You come for a sharp, considered haircut that holds up weeks later, and stay for the conversation, the ease, and the kind of place where everyone says hello when you walk in. The cuts are dialed, the conversations are loose, and you’ll quickly understand how they earned the line up top.

Some connections make too much sense not to act on. After getting to know the team behind Black Orchid, we wanted to bring that same level of intention and personality into our world. So we invited owner Travis, barber Joey, and marketing director Kristen down to our Houston lab for a hands-on day of styling, experimenting, and pushing products a little further than usual.

What followed was equal parts workshop and playground. We put O’Douds products in the hands of people who live and breathe the craft, dialing in techniques, reworking familiar styles, and uncovering new ways to approach texture, hold, and finish. Think less “how-to,” more “watch what happens when the right people get in a room with the right tools.”

Let's get into our Spotlight:

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Why the name "Black Orchid" for a barbershop?

I’ve always been fascinated by the history of Indianapolis, especially the neighborhoods where our shops are located. When I reopened the first salon on Indiana Avenue years ago, I started researching the area and came across an old newspaper clipping about a speakeasy on the same block called the Black Orchid. The name immediately stuck with me—it felt – perfect and it tied to the city’s past. I remember thinking that if I ever opened a barbershop, that would be the name. That was probably in 2010 – seven years before we opened. When the opportunity finally came, it felt like the perfect way to connect our brand to the history of the neighborhood.

- Travis

Owner I Black Orchid Barbers, Indianapolis, Indiana

"Culture only works if people genuinely feel connected to each other."

How do you maintain culture across multiple locations?

Because our barbers rotate between multiple locations, everyone works with different teammates throughout the week, which keeps the group tight-knit. We also try to build trust by giving our team flexibility and respecting their time outside of work. We actually encourage people to take time off and recharge because the job is physically and mentally demanding. That’s also why we close the entire company for about 10–12 days around Christmas and New Year’s—it gives everyone a real break.

say hello to

Travis

Owner of Black Orchid Barbers

What does a “Black Orchid barber” mean to you—skill, service, energy, culture?

It’s honestly all of those things. We’re very intentional about who we bring into the company—we’re slow to hire and quick to part ways if someone isn’t aligned with the culture. Technically, every barber has their own approach to hair, and we don’t try to make that robotic or identical. What is consistent is the level of service and the steps of service our clients experience. More than anything, though, culture is the glue that holds it all together.

What separates a haircut from an experience?

From a technical standpoint, we always say the difference between a good haircut and a great haircut is what it looks like when the client comes back three weeks later. There’s nothing worse than a haircut that looks great the day you leave but grows out with shelves and uneven lines. But beyond the technical side, only about 30% of what we do is actually cutting hair. The other 70% is creating a great experience before, during, and after the service—and making things right quickly if something ever goes wrong.

say hello to

Josh

Barber at Black Orchid

what does mentorship look like inside Black Orchid?

Mentorship here happens on several levels. I’m accessible to everyone on the team, but we also have a director of education, Tanner, and other leaders like Jason who help guide barbers when they need support. If someone is struggling or getting tough feedback from clients, the approach is always constructive—we focus on helping, not embarrassing anyone. With our apprenticeship program, mentorship also includes professional development beyond cutting hair. We spend time teaching things like financial literacy, retirement planning, and even basics like how mortgages or interest rates work.