Former soldier opens barbershop in Alfragide after trading career for the razor

In Alfragide, in the Lisbon district (Portugal), a former soldier fulfilled his dream of owning his own barbershop. The opening of D'ALMEIDA, this past October, marks the end of a journey that began in the Armed Forces and went through various professional experiences before entrepreneurship.

André Almeida, now 25 years old, joined the Armed Forces at 18, seeking stability during the pandemic. It was in the Army that he discovered his calling: a barber sergeant noticed his aesthetic profile and encouraged him to learn the trade. André, who was already particular about his hair, started visiting his colleague's chair and decided to take the risk in this new field.

After leaving his military career in 2023, he worked briefly at a friend's shop before being referred to a salon chain in Setúbal. The beginning was challenging, as he had to adapt his practical approach from military work to the delicate care required in a barbershop. Over time, he gained confidence and expanded his horizons by working for six months in Ireland.

Upon returning to Portugal in early 2025, André felt that he needed to mature the human and managerial aspects of the business. He spent a year and a half at a barbershop in Azeitão to develop these skills before opening his own space. In August this year, he found an opportunity near an IKEA shopping center, where the former office was renovated for two months.

D'ALMEIDA offers classic cuts with clippers and scissors for 15 euros, scissor-only cuts starting at 16 euros, and beards for 11 euros. The beard service includes hot towel therapy. There is also ear and nose hair removal for 4 euros and facial cleansing for 9 euros. The shop uses a varied range of products from the brand Nishman, including waxes, oils, and sprays.

For the owner, the goal goes beyond the cut; it is about improving clients' self-esteem. "Sometimes they come in feeling a bit down and leave with different energy," André states. He seeks to create a temporary refuge for men, combining attention to detail with good conversation, while planning to expand his team in the future.