We had the good fortune of connecting with Chris Hjerling and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk is an inherent, unavoidable, and necessary part of life. Every meaningful venture, relationship, or learned skill will require us to journey into unfamiliar territories, both mentally and physically.

To create and experience those things, we must be willing to risk a variety of situations and feelings we usually aim to avoid, like discomfort, embarrassment, pain, and failure.

I’ve risked a lot. And I’ve failed a lot. 

Embrace it. Don’t avoid it. Let go of the self-judgment. Learn, get up, and keep going. Risk never goes away; we just get better at navigating it. Over time, the uncomfortable becomes comfortable. We become talented. We get stronger. 

Most importantly, the more you face risk, the better you understand that safety and comfort eventually partner with apathy, lack of purpose, envy, and an increase of mindless consumption of TV and Tik Tok. 

I want to explore, create, and experience a lot in this life. With each uncomfortable journey, I gain a deeper perspective of happiness, fulfillment, and gratitude. In essence, the more I embrace risk, the better life gets. 

And that’s the beauty of it all.

What should our readers know about your business?
Chris Hjerling Ventures is a business project firm that launches and scales great projects with amazing people. I work with others to bring great ideas to fruition with mission and purpose, as well as launch a handful of my own projects. 

I’ve also been lucky enough to do over a decade of public speaking; hosting workshops and speeches to over 250,000 people on topics ranging from business to health to diversity leadership across the country.

The primary business focus right now is a concept I co-founded, called Brightside Barber. As a barber shop, we’ve had the crazy experience of Covid, but we are thriving and busier than ever going into our fourth year. Our team is insanely talented, and we are proud to offer a premium service with a casual atmosphere.

In addition to the shop, we have spent the last two years custom formulating an amazing line of shower, personal care, and hair styling products. We are in the final stages of production and will be launching in early 2023. 

The amount of research, thought, testing, collaborations, sweat, and tears that have gone into this will finally come to fruition. This project has been the biggest lesson in patience and delayed gratification. 

Keep an eye out for the Brightside product line soon!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Tough question! The best thing about San Diego is the true variety of life, neighborhood to neighborhood. Endless options!

I’ve been a Little Italy resident for over a decade, so I’m bias to that area, but if I have some time and my guest has a thirst for all things…
– Ferry and day of bike riding or golf cart roaming around Coronado. Sunset and drinks around the Hotel Del, maybe a drink at The Henry, then hit the east side for a nighttime view of downtown before jumping back on the ferry.

– Day trip out to Julian, hike and then some drinks and pizza at Julian Beer Co.

– Hard to skip a good beach and boardwalk day around Mission and PB. Jam up to Bird Rock for Happy Hour, then jump up to UTC mall for dinner at Queenstown Bistro and a cocktail at Raised By Wolves -or keep going north for an evening in Encinitas.

– If they have their passport ready, we’ll hit Baja. If you haven’t ventured down to Cautro Cautros or Encanto for a sunset in Mexico, put it on your list.
– If they don’t have a passport, Orfila Winery in Escondido is a perfect little winery without driving to Temecula.

– And, of course, Balboa Park is always a must.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have been lucky to have a network of people that not only support but also challenge me to create and grow to the extent that fulfills me and impacts others in a positive way. That list can get long at times, so this shout out goes to those who are in my life. Family, friends, colleagues, business partners, staff, etc.…
You all are a part of this journey.

Website: www.BrightsideBarber.com

Instagram: Brightside_Barber

Facebook: BrightsideBarber

Other: My site is www.ChrisHjerling.com and all my social is my name as well (the benefit of a unique last name).

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.