Gratitude Barber Studio — Local services in Katy

Thank you to the owner for course correcting the issue. I now recall seeing how attentive she was to her business and this review was not reflective of what she stands for.

--‐‐--------------- I came to Gratitude Barbershop with my young son, hoping for a welcoming, family-friendly environment—especially given the prominent display of Bible verses on the walls. Unfortunately, our experience was far from that.

From the moment we walked in, the interaction with one of the staff members (I'm unsure of their gender identity) was uncomfortable and frankly inappropriate. I was repeatedly interrogated about my 5-year-old son’s behavior—specifically asked three times if they would need to hold him down to cut his hair. That kind of language is extreme and unwarranted, especially when referring to a child. While it’s fair to ask about cooperation during a haircut, the tone and repetition of the question came across as accusatory and unwelcoming.

The same staff member also asked if my son would sit still the entire time and seemed frustrated that I couldn’t offer an iron-clad guarantee. He’s a child—some movement is natural, and asking me to promise otherwise felt not only unreasonable but unnecessarily harsh.

To make matters worse, music with explicit language—specifically songs filled with the F-word—was playing loudly in the shop, even with children present. It was disappointing to see such a disconnect between the environment I thought I was walking into and what was actually being promoted inside.

I chose this barbershop in hopes of finding a place that aligned with values of kindness, patience, and respect, especially for families. Unfortunately, that’s not what we experienced. Bible verses on the wall don’t mean much if the actions don’t reflect them.

As someone who actively supports Black businesses, it’s disheartening to see how sometimes we, ourselves, can create barriers—whether it’s through bad attitudes, or playing it ‘cool’ instead of just focusing on what matters: service. When that happens, we end up looking elsewhere for the kind of respect and quality we...

No, no, no. I cannot recommend this place for a child's haircut at the age of 5 and under - unless the barber has displayed experience with that age group. The experience from the moment I sat down to wait for my son's haircut was nothing but disappointing.

Barber set an appointment for us: we arrived 15 minutes early Approximately 15 minutes after the appointed time, the barber states he could not take us because he FORGOT he already had 2 appointments Told we could not be accommodated, especially with my son being 2 and that it would be a long while if I stayed I left, asked for a manager/owner to see if someone else could fit us in - they addressed the situation with the barber for the original appointment instead Told it would be 30 - 45 minutes In 45 minutes, I was called to be told it would be another 30 minutes. In 30 minutes, we still waited another 20 minutes.

At this point, my son is restless, sleepy and hungry - though I fed him - he was overstimulated considering we had him past his nap time. For parents, it is already difficult with scheduling calendar events. That said, this was highly inconvenient all around. My son was left crying the WHOLE experience because the barber held him like an adult, wasn't inviting, didn't have the proper tools, and was not ready - he kept focusing more on other clients than he was my son at our appointed time. It's unfortunate, as I was hoping this would be "the spot".

If not for a good Samaritan offering to pay, I would not have paid if they had asked me to. Especially, since I did most of the cutting myself - and this was not my son's first haircut!

To the owner: Thank you for your reply and accountability. I will reconsider my options of coming back when my son is older, or if you have someone else equipped with the tools and know-how to barb a child's hair that's under the age of 5. Thank you again...

Seda, my barber, was absolutely on point and incredibly attentive. I loved that she took the time to ask detailed questions about what I was looking for, rather than assuming, while still being open to freestyling it. Especially for my first time in her chair, that attention to detail made all the difference. Her calming voice added to the experience, providing a nice contrast to the typically lively atmosphere of most barbershops (which I don’t mind, but this was a refreshing change). The final result was everything I hoped for: a clean, sharp cut that beautifully maintained a sense of femininity. The designs were exactly what I envisioned, and they stood out perfectly with the deep violet color I had done beforehand. Seda’s talent truly shines through her work! Bonus: that same night, I got several compliments on both the cut and the design, which speaks volumes about her skills. I’ll definitely be coming back time and time again!

And...

First off, the vibes were incredible! Kima, my colorist, was so sweet and funny—exactly what my spirit needed on a Saturday. Her work is meticulous, and her expertise in the hair game truly stands out. I loved that she’s skilled with all hair types, especially natural curly hair. The entire experience of getting my hair done by Kima was so calming and enjoyable. From the luxurious shampoo to the precise color treatment and her attention to detail, everything was flawless. The final result was stunning! I’m in love with how my hair turned out, especially the richness and vibrancy of the deep violet. I’ll definitely be back...