Lici ladybarber

Arguably one of the most impactful leaders and images of a woman in a predominantly male-run industry, Felicia “Lici” Quintero has made it her mission to disrupt barbering one service at a time. From her charismatic presence to her poised yet savage works of art, Lici allows her tonsorial knowledge to fuel masterpieces that reflect her larger-than-life grit, resilience, and discipline.

Lici’s story begins in the Bronx, New York, in 1984. Her journey started with nearly every obstacle a child could face, yet none were able to dim the light of her massive dreams. At an incredibly young age, Lici survived a tragic accident that left parts of her body burned and limited the range of motion in her hands the very hands she once planned on using to help others. Encouraged by her therapist, she began drawing and creating art as part of her recovery. It was there that young Lici laid the runway from which she would one day take flight. Finding strength and hope in her creative nature led her to pursue licensing in cosmetology another hurdle she would ultimately overcome.

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Constant leaps of faith best describe every pivotal moment of Lici’s life. She relocated to Puerto Rico in search of family support while pursuing her degree, only to face homelessness along the way. Nevertheless, she equipped herself with knowledge, patience, discipline, and experience, forming the foundation of her career. Her resilience carried her to graduate at the top of her class. Shortly after, she took yet another courageous leap of faith and uprooted her life to Denver, Colorado.

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Family became her anchor. As a single mother raising her daughter and two sons, Lici navigated the challenges of a male-dominated industry while proving on and off competitive stages that she belonged. The industry took notice. Media attention followed, captivated by the rise of a woman boldly claiming space and redefining excellence in barbering.

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The rise of the phoenix came when Lici received the opportunity that would shatter every perceived limitation. After years of self-promotion and guest appearances, she received the call to compete on CW’s Cedric’s Barber Battle. The opportunity sat at the crossroads of survival choosing between paying rent or purchasing a flight. With everything on the line, Lici stepped forward as the underdog and emerged victorious, earning the championship belt that would soon be accompanied by countless awards and accolades. This moment opened doors to judging major barber competitions, participating in renowned beauty pageants, motivational speaking, and assisting in the rebranding of Hair Palooza an industry event celebrating fashion, barbering, and beauty. Sponsorships and opportunities soon followed.

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Throughout the development of her career, Lici consistently expanded her role beyond the chair building barbershop locations, helping develop brands, and designing management systems that supported both creative excellence and business sustainability. These experiences unfolded alongside her rise as an educator, and industry leader, shaping her understanding of what it truly takes to run successful operations.

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During this journey, Lici relocated to Compton, California, where she met DC the Barber. United by a shared vision for discipline, culture, and long-term impact, they joined forces professionally, with Lici stepping into the management and operational leadership of Barberizm The Shoppe. Through hands on experience running shops, developing teams, and refining systems both in the United States and internationally, they collaboratively built the frameworks needed to sustain creative talent beyond the chair. These real world systems became the foundation for what would later be known as The Barber Playbook.

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As her work with barbers deepened, Lici recognized a growing need for practical financial education within the industry. This led to the creation of Money Moves & Mindset, an educational platform designed to help barbers understand money management, decision-making, and independence without hype or unrealistic promises. The platform reflects Lici’s belief that talent and income mean little without structure, clarity, and intention behind the scenes.

Fear is a manifestation of insecurity this belief became Lici’s guiding principle as she rose to become a Global Educator for leading industry manufacturers. She later focused on teaching creatives how to build brands that last. Through education, mentorship, and leadership, Lici continues to elevate the industry one artist at a time.

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Today, Lici’s work blends barber education, mindset, and practical money management helping barbers build clarity, stability, and independence through systems rooted in real experience, not hype.