Roots
Roots didn’t start with a business plan — it started with a promise. A promise between a father and a son to stop wasting time apart, to bet everything on building something together, and to take on the world, one haircut at a time.
I’m Fazon, and my dad is Barber Herb. He’s been a legend in the Bay, known for turning his past struggles into hope for others. Growing up, I watched him pour his heart into every cut and every kid who sat in his chair. But life kept pulling us in different directions — until we decided enough was enough.
We launched Roots Barber Academy to share more than just barbering skills. We’re here to teach purpose, to help people see barbering as a way to stay connected, provide for their families, and leave a legacy. Every student who joins Roots becomes part of our story: a community where fathers, sons, mothers, daughters — anyone with a dream — can come together, learn, and grow side by side.
At Roots, it’s not about moving fast. We try our best to remember what matters. It’s about moving forward together. Because the strongest roots aren’t the ones you grow alone — they’re the ones you build with the people you love. A barber college to remember who you earned your license with.
Herbert Ruth
Herb Ruth, called Barber Herb, grew up in New Orleans and San Francisco. He didn’t know his dad well, but people said his dad was a good man. Herb’s mom worked hard, and Herb helped take care of his brothers.
As a teen, Herb got into trouble. But one day, his friend Dwayne showed him how to cut hair. Barbering helped Herb stay out of trouble and become known in the Bay Area.
Herb worked hard and raised his kids. He also helped many kids in the neighborhood. In his barbershop, he was like a kind dad to everyone.
Now, with his son Fazon, Herb started Roots, a barber school. Roots is a safe place for young people to learn, feel good, and build a better life.
Barber Herb turned his life around — and now he helps others do the same.
Fazon Ruth
My name is Fazon, and I’m proud to be the son of Barber Herb. I was born and raised in the Bay, where the barbershop was more than a place for haircuts — it was a second home, a safe haven, and the only spot where I saw people laugh, cry, and leave feeling better than they came.
Growing up, I watched my dad turn his chair into a place of healing for our community. I wanted to take that same energy and bring it to the modern world — not just by cutting hair, but by helping people show who they really are through powerful branding, storytelling, and strategy.
I’m in college now, studying psychology and business, but every day I’m working on projects that light me up: helping barbershops tell their story, guiding fashion creatives to own their voice, and teaching young entrepreneurs how to turn what makes them different into something unforgettable.
I started my business because I believe nobody should feel lost, overlooked, or like they don’t belong. I want to help people — from barbers to content creators — see their purpose clearly and position it so others see it too.
At the end of the day, I’m here to make spaces where people feel proud of who they are, and build legacies they can stand on. Just like my dad did for me.