Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Hallwood.
Hi Kevin, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey to becoming a professional barber in the United States commenced in Jamaica, my country of origin. Growing up in a rural community, my mother’s financial constraints limited my access to regular haircuts, leading to frequent dissatisfaction with the results. To address this, I utilized my stepfather’s clippers to cut my own hair, persevering despite initial setbacks and eventually refining my skills. My brother entrusted me with cutting his hair, and soon, my talent became apparent to the entire community. As a teenager, I established a client base, providing haircuts on weekends and evenings after school, which contributed to my household’s financial well-being. Following high school graduation, although I had the qualifications to enroll in a tertiary institution to pursue a bachelor’s in fine arts, I lacked the financial means, so I worked at a gas station and subsequently in security in the capital, causing my interest in barbering to wane. For eight years, I only cut the hair of close friends and coworkers as a hobby. However, in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a friend was impressed by a self-haircut photo I posted on social media and encouraged me to resume cutting hair for income. I recommenced cutting hair by traveling to clients’ homes, and over the course of a year, my passion for it grew with each appointment. My family and I decided to migrate to the United States, and to secure a stable job, I considered two options: driving trucks or cutting hair. Knowing I would need to take a low-paying job to fund either option, I obtained employment at Taco Bell. My decision was made clear while on a hour road trip, and I imagined driving a truck out of state, away from my family, and I realized that driving trucks may not be the ideal job for me. With each paycheck, I purchased equipment and saved for barber school. The nine months of schooling were challenging, but I remained focused on my goal of obtaining my license, which represented freedom. Upon completing my schooling, the American dream finally seemed attainable. However, I still had to overcome one obstacle: completing the licensing exams, which I found to be the most daunting task due to anxiety and stress. I successfully passed the exams, licensed my business, Krispi Kutz LLC, and now work and build my client base at Beardsley’s barbershop, serving the community of Arnold and surrounding areas for over two years.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My journey was not without its challenges. However, as an optimistic individual, I remained focused on the positive aspects and was confident that perseverance would yield better days. Notably, my obstacles included childcare responsibilities for my two children, acquiring fluency in English to enhance communication, managing educational expenses, and adapting to Missouri’s weather conditions, which occasionally took a toll on my health. Nevertheless, with the unwavering support of my loving wife, I viewed each challenge as an opportunity for self-improvement.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Krispi Kutz llc?
I am a professional barber offering a variety of haircuts for clients of all ages, from toddlers and small children to teenagers, adults, and seniors, and I also provide military discounts. I perform straight razor shaves with a towel and offer clients professional hair care advice.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I learned throughout this journey is gratefulness. I realize that the more grateful I am, the more things in my personal and professional life to be grateful for.
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