Look and Listen

Biography

I am Terry Sumerlin—the author of four books, a professional speaker for the past 10 years, and a small business owner and barber in San Antonio, Texas for the past 20. Barber-osophy is my way of relating the important principles of life and business through easy-to-remember, and often humorous, stories and anecdotes. As a young man, I would never have guessed that I would become a successful author and motivational speaker. Such opportunities hardly seemed likely for one who started barbering at age 16 and graduated Magna Cum Barely from high school at age 17. Yet, the reception Barber-osophy has received should not be too surprising. Often after hearing a Barber-osophy presentation or reading one of my books, someone will comment, "Wow, I can't believe how I was able to identify with everything you said." I can! Even though I graduated in the half of the class that made the top half possible, I've also graduated Summa Cum Laude from the School of Hard Knocks. I've tried and discarded pretty much everything in business and life that won't work. I've learned how to face challenges and what it's like to feel like a failure. I've also learned how it feels to win, and what it takes to do that. And I truly love sharing the important principles of a successful life with others through Barber-osophy. Barber-osophy is Main Street America. It's time-proven, common sense principles that change hearts and build businesses. Principles promoting teamwork, good customer service, and effective leadership that everyone knows, but often no one remembers to apply in the modern business world. Barber-osophy has inspired and entertained CEOs and graduates of The Harvard Business School, as well as athletes, coaches, teachers, salespeople, and small business owners. As The Barber-osopher, I have addressed men and women from Halifax to Honolulu and from St. Paul to St. Thomas. Barber-osophy has been developed through both extensive research and my experience as a trainer, salesperson, author, columnist, and speaker. I hope you will find from my books that it is an entertaining, informative, and highly practical approach to developing everyone's human factor in business and in life.

Inspiration

As a barber, I’ve gained a great deal of common sense and practical wisdom. I want to share what I’ve learned to help others avoid mistakes and develop themselves. Writing and speaking allow me to do just that.