Forty Under 40: Roger Mace

Roger Mace’s choice of after-hours activities says much about his business style.

The Springfield native competes in triathlons in which he not only has to bike, swim and run, he also has to make sure he’s doing it all better than the competition.

During the day, Mace completes the same juggling act, managing two businesses and a contractual position with American Crew.

Mace started with American Crew in 1996, the same year he relocated to Northwest Arkansas. He’s now an international educator for the men’s grooming company, a position that requires him to travel outside the U.S. about once a month.

Mace opened Metropolis Salon in downtown Fayetteville in 2000 and started Lew’s Barbershop in Rogers in late 2007.

His father taught him early to never trust a business partner, so Mace started and grew both his salon and barbershop on his own.
In the coming years, Mace wants to continue to grow both of his businesses. All of his responsibilities keep him busy, but Mace said he tries to not let his work consume his life.

“I work about 40 hours a week,” he said. “You have to keep life interesting. I never want my job to become work.”

Mace said that if you want to be successful, you have to surround yourself with people who are better than you.