Meet the Founder

My name is Smayan Sanjeev.

I am a junior at Livingston High School, a varsity basketball player, and a barber.

This project began in the most natural way possible: behind the chair. I noticed that as soon as the clippers turned on, the stories started flowing. I quickly realized that the conversations I was having with senior residents were just as meaningful as the haircuts I was giving. Stories from the Chair was born out of a desire to share those voices, celebrate resilience, and ensure our community's history is never forgotten.

Mission

A student-led initiative combining personal grooming with the preservation of local history.

Every haircut is an invitation to connect. At Stories from the Chair, we visit local senior living communities to provide free barbering services. But the haircut is just the beginning.

Our true mission is to create a dedicated space for conversation, connection, and storytelling. By sitting with our elders, listening to their journeys, and recording their wisdom, we aim to bridge generational gaps and restore dignity through genuine human presence.

What We Do

• Provide haircuts in senior living communities

• Record and preserve life stories (with permission)

• Share selected stories through a podcast-style archive

Impact

• 2 Partner Communities

• Weekly Consistent Visits

• 12+ Stories Preserved

Through regular, ongoing partnerships with senior residences, this initiative transforms a routine grooming service into a consistent source of companionship and a growing archive of lived history.

Featured Stories

Interview 1: Mr. R – Learning to Look Under the Hood

Profile: 42 Years as a Mechanic | Moved to New Jersey in his 30s

Smayan: "So, forty-two years as a mechanic is a long time. What’s the biggest thing all those years fixing engines taught you about life?"

Mr. R: "You know, Smayan, people and machines really aren't that different. We both need the right fuel and some maintenance to keep running. But honestly, the main thing? You just can’t fix a problem until you’re willing to look under the hood and get your hands dirty. I can’t tell you how many folks bring in a car after ignoring a weird rattling noise for months, hoping it’ll magically fix itself. It never does. Life's the exact same way. If something's wrong, you've got to face it, find the root cause, and deal with it."

Smayan: "That makes a lot of sense. Did that mindset help when you packed up and moved to New Jersey back in your 30s?"

Mr. R: "Oh, absolutely. It was terrifying starting over, trust me. But I just looked at it like a messy engine rebuild. You take it one piece at a time, you don't rush, and you trust that if you put the effort in, things will click into place eventually."

Smayan’s Reflection:

Talking with Mr. R really stuck with me. As a student and an athlete, it's easy to ignore the things I’m struggling with and hope they just get better on their own. He reminded me that real growth takes a bit of courage—you actually have to open up the hood and do the messy work if you want to improve.

Interview 2: Mr. L – The Anatomy of Resilience

Profile: Raised in Post-War Europe | Immigrant Journey

Smayan: "You've mentioned growing up in post-war Europe before. What was that actually like, and how did it shape who you are?"

Mr. L: "It was tough, Smayan. Plain and simple. There was a lot of scarcity, and we never really knew what tomorrow would look like. But looking back, that’s where I learned what resilience actually means. You figure out real quick what you actually need versus what’s just nice to have. When we finally immigrated to America, we had absolutely nothing. No money, didn't know the language, nothing. But we had a work ethic, and nobody could take that away from us."

Smayan: "If you could give just one piece of advice to a high school junior like me trying to navigate the future, what would it be?"

Mr. L: "Don’t be scared of the hard times. They don’t last forever, but the grit you develop while getting through them stays with you for life. Next time things get brutal on the basketball court or school gets overwhelming, don't look for an easy shortcut. That friction is exactly what builds your character."

Smayan’s Reflection:

Hearing Mr. L’s story put my own daily stresses into perspective. His life is basically a masterclass in grit. He showed me that being resilient isn't just about surviving a bad situation; it’s about keeping your head up and using those challenges to build a stronger foundation for whatever comes next.

Get in touch

Thank you for your interest in Stories from the chair. Whether you manage a local senior community, have a family member who would love a fresh haircut, or just want to learn more about our project, I would love to connect with you.

You can reach me directly at:

👉 smayan.sanjeev8@gmail.com