If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a lease application thinking, “Is this space really for me? Should I do this?”—John Mosley has a message you’ll want to hear.
John Mosley—known by many as “The Popular Nobody”—is an award-winning barber, educator, and multi-skilled entrepreneur who’s expanding far beyond the chair. From barbering and brand-building to content creation, podcasting, and production, John’s story is a real-world example of how small businesses grow: one bold start, one consistent step, and one smart decision at a time.
And for John, one of those decisions was choosing WorkBay as the home base for his next chapter.
>>WorkBay Colorado (Arlington, TX)
Who Is John Mosley, “The Popular Nobody”?
John Mosley is the Founder and CEO of The Popular Nobody, a self-proclaimed “Popular Nobody” who has climbed the ladder to become one of the most recognized names in the barbering industry.
He’s worked with professional athletes, rappers, and icons—but what defines John isn’t celebrity proximity. It’s character.
John’s brand is built on a rare balance:
- Humble confidence (he believes he’s no better than any other barber putting in work)
- Relentless hustle (he stays learning, building, and creating)
- Real-world excellence (the skills and results speak for themselves)
He’s also a celebrated educator. John was crowned Educator of the Year (2019) at BarberCon in New York City, a nod to his passion for teaching and developing the next generation of barbers.
John’s Space at WorkBay
From the Barber Chair to a Bigger Creative Vision
John is clear about his foundation: he loves cutting hair. It’s not just a service—it’s a passion that’s earned him recognition and awards.
But over time, another calling grew stronger: creating and storytelling through the lens.
What started as a hobby became something bigger when John recognized a shift in the world around him: content isn’t a trend. It’s the direction everything is moving.
So instead of limiting The Popular Nobody to one lane, John expanded his mission into the creative space through:
- Podcasting
- Production
- Artist development
- Workshops
- Hands-on opportunities for people to collaborate and grow skills
In other words: John isn’t just building a brand. He’s building an ecosystem that helps creators and small business owners develop what they need to level up.
John’s Space at WorkBay
How John Found WorkBay
John discovered WorkBay the way a lot of great business decisions start—through routine, awareness, and fast action.
He and his wife are part of the 6:00 AM club. They’re in the gym by 6 and out by 7. One morning, driving down the street from the gym, John noticed a neon green WorkBay sign—and it sparked immediate curiosity.
From there, he did what entrepreneurs do:
- He went online
- He researched
- He looked for fit, location, and opportunity
What stood out quickly was that WorkBay had multiple locations, and they were all close to where he wanted to be.
For any service-based business—barbers, creators, consultants, production teams—location isn’t just a convenience. It’s consistency. It’s whether you can show up daily and keep momentum.
John’s Space at WorkBay
Why WorkBay Worked: Fit, Flexibility, and a Space That’s Ready
John says the biggest challenge in finding commercial space was simple:
Finding the right fit.
He wasn’t just looking for any spot. He wanted somewhere he’d feel confident signing a longer-term lease—because he believes growth comes from staying consistent long enough to build something real.
And for him, WorkBay delivered what mattered most:
1) Affordable rent
For a growing business, affordability isn’t a luxury—it’s how you survive long enough to scale.
2) The space he needed
Room to operate, create, serve, and build—without shrinking the vision.
3) A setup that’s already built out
One of the biggest wins for John was not having to take on a major buildout. The space was already constructed in a way that helped him move in and get to work faster.
4) A community of different concepts that still works together
John points out something important: inside the facility, people are building different ideas, but it works. That kind of environment matters, especially for creatives and early-stage entrepreneurs who grow faster when they’re surrounded by other builders.
That’s what healthy entrepreneurship looks like, diversity of ideas in a space where everyone can win.
John’s Space at WorkBay
John Mosley’s Business Tips for Small Businesses and Creatives
John’s story isn’t just inspiring, it’s practical. Here are the most useful business takeaways from his message, translated into action for small business owners:
1) Start before you feel 100% ready
John says it plainly: the hardest thing to do is start.
If you’re waiting for fear to disappear, you’ll stay stuck. Progress begins when you begin.
Try this: Set a 7-day deadline to take one concrete step (tour a space, price your services, book your first client).
2) Choose the fit, not the fantasy
A “perfect-looking” space can still be a bad business move if it strains your budget or slows your timeline. John wanted a space he could commit to—because commitment is what allows consistency to compound.
Try this: Make a short “non-negotiables” list: affordability, location, move-in readiness, and room to scale.
3) Let consistency do what motivation can’t
John believes growth comes from time + consistency. Not a hype week. Not a strong month. The long game.
Try this: Build a weekly operating rhythm you can sustain (content day, client days, admin day, education day).
4) Expand your skill set to expand your income
John didn’t stop at barbering—he added creative production, storytelling, and community-building through workshops.
Try this: Add one “adjacent” skill that increases your value (photo/video, branding, customer retention, paid ads, packaging services).
5) Build a brand people can feel
“The Popular Nobody” works because it’s real: humble, hungry, human. John’s brand identity is consistent across his work.
Try this: Define your message in one sentence. Then repeat it everywhere—site, bio, content, client experience.
Ready to Build Like “The Popular Nobody”?
If you’re looking for a space and you’re nervous, John’s encouragement is simple: start.
The right environment can remove friction, reduce costs, and help you focus on what matters—serving your customers, developing your craft, and growing your business with consistency.
And if you’re a creator, barber, or entrepreneur who’s building something bigger than one lane, John’s path is proof: you can honor your roots and expand your vision.
The WorkBay Message John Wants You to Hear
If you’re sitting on a dream, a business idea, a service you know people need—but you’re hesitating because you’re afraid?
John’s answer is clear:
Starting your journey at WorkBay can be the perfect move—especially for creatives—because it’s designed to accommodate what you need while you build.
Not later. Not “once everything is perfect.”
Now.
Learn From John
Want to learn directly from John?
He’s hosting a Content Creator Workshop on March 8 (9:00 AM–4:00 PM) CST at WorkBay’s Colorado location in Arlington, TX.
John covers
- editing
- cameras
- lighting
- content creation best practices, and more.
All skill levels welcome—whether you’re just starting or sharpening your process.
Learn more by visiting instagram.com/popular_nobody or purchase a seat here: Content Creator Workshop
