A cut above: hairstylist Mark Bustos on using haircuts to inspire hope and connection

Bustos knows that people often see haircuts as an item to tick off a to-do list. But after hearing thousands of stories of people in his chair, he has developed a different perspective. “At the end of the day, no matter how stained or creased your clothes get, you can take them off. But the same doesn’t apply to your hair,” he believes. “We need treatments and haircuts because our hair carries proof of how we live our lives.”  

His understanding was shaped by a weighty question: Is this all there is? “If this is what success is, I still don’t feel it,” he thought to himself. He realised that his hair-cutting skills could not only benefit wealthy clients; it became an opportunity to uplift the lives of his struggling countrymen at home in Masantol, Pampanga, a city in the Philippines. A core tenet of Bustos’s life philosophy is the belief that “the best way to give back is by sharing what you do best.” 

He started giving free haircuts to impoverished people he encountered there. “The pickiest customers are the ones who can’t even afford to sit in my chair,” he says. “But that’s because it’s a pivotal moment in their lives. They can get a nice, good clean-up the way they want it. It can help them get a job or move forward in life. No matter who it is, my job is to help them walk away feeling better about themselves.” 

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One of Bustos’s most memorable experiences was with a homeless man in New York, who intrigued him with his bag of fruits and vegetables. The Dominican man had worked in construction for decades before his illness caused him to lose his eyesight. “He had no family in New York, but was trying to live a healthy lifestyle,” recalls Bustos. “People can be judgmental about those living on the street, thinking they’re all substance abusers. But this story showed me it’s much more complicated than we often know, so we should always be empathetic.” 

This deep sense of compassion was instilled in Bustos by his grandfather, whose sacrifices ensured his family could build a new life in the United States. “If it wasn’t for my grandfather, I wouldn’t be here today, doing what I love,” says Bustos. The hairstylist proudly shares his family’s efforts to improve the lives of students in Masantol, even from thousands of miles away. They donate school supplies every year, ensuring that the students can confidently pursue their dreams the way Bustos himself was able to. 

People can feel debilitated by the systemic issues that prevent genuine change. But Bustos’s goal is not to change the world entirely–he simply focuses on the individuals he meets as he journeys through life. “I happen to be a hairdresser because it’s what makes me happy. That stable source of energy is transferred to everyone I meet, whether on the streets or in the workplace.” 

Through the transformative power of social media, Bustos also encourages others to harness their talents and build confidence in their communities. He created the Instagram hashtag ‘be awesome to somebody’ as a catalyst for sustainable change. Now, a documentary film about his journey is in the works, with Bustos taking a hands-on approach as executive producer. 

Fourteen-year-old Bustos could not have imagined making it this far, but the present version still feels like he has a long way to go. “There’s always a new goal, whether I see it coming or not,” he says. No matter where he travels, he is driven by the need to listen to people’s stories and give them the push they need to build a better life. “I didn’t get this far just to get this far,” he muses. “I constantly ask myself what more I can do to help people–I will never be quite finished, but that for me is the true sign of success.” 

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