Two Paths, One Vision: The Story of Squire Technologies
Co-Founders: Songe LaRon and Dave Salvant
On the bustling streets of New York City, two ambitious souls converged on a seemingly inconsequential idea: an app for booking haircuts. Songe LaRon, a corporate lawyer with artistic roots, and Dave Salvant, a finance whiz with a knack for parties, were a curious pair united by grit and a shared vision for progress. Their journey with Squire Technologies, now a $750 million juggernaut, is a testament to the power of unlikely partnerships and unwavering determination.
Songe: An Artistic Lawyer Craving Fulfillment
Born into a creatively pulsating New York family, Songe grew up surrounded by canvases and dreams. His mother, an artist who rubbed shoulders with Basquiat, instilled in him a passion for creation, while his actor father nurtured his desire for independence. Yet, the lure of financial stability led him to Yale Law School and the glittering halls of Skadden Arps. The success tasted hollow - the sterile suits and predictable routines stifled his inner artist. Longing for the thrill of creation, he yearned for an outlet to channel his entrepreneurial spirit.
Dave: A Finance Guy with a Party Hustle
Dave's childhood in Coney Island and Rockland County was a tapestry of resilience and hustler's instinct. While pursuing political science at SUNY Albany and later an MBA at UW-Madison, he honed his financial acumen and charm at JPMorgan and AXA. But Wall Street's monotony couldn't hold him down. He started throwing vibrant parties for young Black professionals, transforming Harlem apartments into bustling hives of connection and opportunity. At one such gathering, his path intersected with Songe's, sparking a friendship bound by ambition and a desire to shatter the mold.
A Shared Spark and a Barbershop Gambit
In their mid-20s, flush with the confidence of youth and fueled by countless conversations, Songe and Dave's shared entrepreneurial itch reached a crescendo. The burgeoning online booking ecosystem inspired them, but restaurants had already been cornered. Barbershops, with their antiquated appointment systems and cash-only chaos, stood as an overlooked haven for innovation. Thus, Squire Technologies was born, named after the loyal knights' companions in Game of Thrones, a fitting metaphor for their ambitions.
From Graffiti to Grit: Learning the Barber's Trade
Their early foray into the world of barbershops was anything but glamorous. Their marketing budget was a meager $200 for graffiti, scrawling "Download Squire" across Manhattan walls. The initial app, a glorified appointment tool, met with a lukewarm reception. Frustrated with slow adoption and a disconnect from the barbers' reality, they made a bold move: buying out a struggling Chelsea barbershop.
Taking over the shop was a baptism by fire. They swept floors, ran the register, and navigated the intricacies of barber revenue splits, tip distribution, and chair rentals. This real-world crash course exposed the limitations of their app and laid bare the needs of their target customers. Squire needed to be more than just booking - it needed to be a lifeline for a complex, cash-driven business.
Building an Empire, One Haircut at a Time
Squire evolved as Songe and Dave adapted. The clunky app became a comprehensive business management tool - handling scheduling, payments, tip distribution, and chair rentals. Data-driven insights replaced messy spreadsheets, empowering barbers to optimize their operations. This wasn't just technology; it was an empathetic understanding of their customers' struggles, built with calloused hands and a dedication to service.
Overcoming Bias and Building Trust
Their journey wasn't without its roadblocks. Investors, blinded by their own biases, doubted the size and potential of the "blue-collar software" market. Racist assumptions about "Black barbershops" added another layer of frustration. But Songe and Dave fought back with data, diversifying their marketing and showcasing the universal appeal of their solution. Their tenacity led them to Y Combinator and secured support from prominent figures like Blake Chandlee of Facebook, proving that grit and vision could trump skepticism.
Pandemic Pivot: Riding the Storm and Beyond
The COVID-19 pandemic threatened to derail their progress. Barbershops, deemed non-essential, were forced to close, their livelihoods hanging by a thread. But Squire, bolstered by a recent funding round, refused to abandon its customers. They waived subscription fees, developed contactless payment options, and launched a virtual waiting room feature, allowing barbershops to reopen safely. This act of empathy, coupled with Squire's practical tools, cemented their loyalty and won over new customers like Brooklyn's Persons of Interest, who praised the platform's efficiency and time-saving features.
The Road Ahead: A Billion-Dollar Dream
Today, Squire stands tall with over 2,800 barbershops across the US, Canada, and the UK. But their ambition