On The Mic With Joe Cee -Episode #22 with Diego Mendoza DTB

In this episode, I sit down with my guy Diego Mendoza, a 27-year-old from South Central LA who could’ve easily been another statistic—but chose a different path. We talk about growing up in the heart of LA, surrounded by gangs and survival mentality, and how Diego made the decision to break the cycle and chase something bigger. He shares how he went from barber school to yard sale flipping, and how investing over $22K into his podcast setup was just part of his bigger vision. We get into real convo about booth rent vs commission, what barbers get wrong about the business model, and how BOTH barbers and owners need to understand their legal responsibilities. If you’re in the industry or thinking about opening your own shop, this one’s full of insight. We also touch on podcast growth, AI tools, branding, why your 30s and 40s can be your prime, and how legacy matters more than clout. — 💬 Diego drops this gem near the end: “Whatever you want to do, just go for it. 100 years from now, no one’s gonna care — so don’t waste the time you have.” —

🔥 Topics We Cover: • Growing up in South Central and choosing a different path • Barber school hustle + yard sale flips to pay the bills • Getting robbed during a Craigslist meetup • The truth behind booth rent vs commission • Creating new pricing models based on value, not tradition • Investing $22K+ into podcasting + what he’s learned • Using tools like CapCut, AutoPod, Premiere Pro & Opus Clip • How to get sponsors + his view on branding for the long game • Why your 30s and 40s can be the best years of your life • The balance between content, purpose, and passion —

📲 Follow Diego + Support His Work:

Instagram: @diegothebarber_

Podcast IG: @dtbpodcasts

🎥 YouTube: DTB Podcast

🎧 Hosted by Joe Cee IG: @joeceepodcast Brought to you by: The Original Clip Joint Barbershop 📍 Covina & San Dimas | Book online at www.ogclipjoint.com or through the Clip Joint app on iOS & Android Thanks for tapping in — as always, stay blessed, smile every chance you get, and take action on that idea you’ve been sitting on. Peace!

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📸Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/joeceethebarber/

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Who Am I? What’s up y’all—my name is Jose Chavez, but most people know me as Joe Cee. I’m an extrovert with a passion for people, family, business, and real conversation. I’m a proud father of three amazing kids and husband to Jasmine Chavez, owner of the San Dimas Clip Joint. I’ve been building small businesses since I was 7 years old, and today I’m a partner at The Original Clip Joint Barbershop (2 locations strong since 2015), an investor with Supreme Automotive, an educator and ambassador & educator for Gentlemen Republic, and a speaker at beauty and barber academies across Southern California. Oh—and now, a podcaster in progress. My love for communication started back in 2017 when I took my first communications course—and I haven’t looked back since. Every episode of this podcast is a step forward on that journey: connecting, learning, and growing with real people and real stories. So whether you’ve been rocking with me for a while or you’re just passing through, I appreciate you. Stay blessed, smile every chance you get—and just know, I love y’all.