Senior Luis Yeager recently launched his entrepreneurial passion project, practicing barbering in hopes of one day owning his own shop. He views his path towards that goal as a three-part process: mastering the haircuts themselves, growing his social media presence, and eventually, setting up the brick and mortar barbershop. Yeager is getting a head start on the first two, practicing barbering for fellow students and publicizing his work on a new Instagram account, @lou.the_barber.
“With the end of high school coming up and really needing to jumpstart my career, I got new clippers and my stand and a chair,” Yeager said. “I start now so that when I do make it and have my breakout, all my social media and haircutting mistakes are out of the way, so I’m not one step behind in anything else.”
Yet Yeager’s path towards barbering started long before this. He remembers being intrigued by haircuts even as a kid. One time stands out to him in particular, when he cut his own hair in elementary school; his barber told him not to, but jokingly added that if Yeager kept cutting his hair, he’d end up a barber.
Then, in his tenth-grade Career and Technology Applications (CTA) class, Yeager had the opportunity to really explore the possibilities of barbering. His research through the course inspired him to pursue entrepreneurship, and so he’s spent the past few months preparing. For one, Yeager has been practicing giving haircuts to fellow students.
Senior Greg Rubino appreciated the opportunity to support Yeager.
“I think it was good; he kind of gave us a little bit of a speech explaining that he was trying to perfect his trade, so you were kind of giving up your hair to him for something to practice on,” Rubino said. “The more people he gets to go there, the better he’s going to become … Overall, it was a good experience.”
Through haircuts like these, Yeager has not only had the opportunity to practice his skills but also gain publicity. He hopes to become a recognizable name to gain customers for his future barbershop, and is excited for the publicity he’s already gained.
“My biggest reward has been when, recently, I was at a Wawa late at night and I found some kids and they recognized me. I had a five-minute conversation with them and it was really about my future plans and showing support,” Yeager said. “It really lifted my spirits because sometimes it’s all a mental thing.”
Yeager’s future plans include attending the Lehigh Valley Barber and Beauty School, which has a course specifically designed to prepare students to pass the Pennsylvania State Board Exam for barbers.
He found the school through social media and was especially impressed by their post for Autism Awareness Month, highlighting ways barbers can make those with sensory differences feel comfortable during a haircut. The passion evident in their work was something he wanted to be a part of.
After graduating, Yeager hopes to own a chain of his own barber shops. Though he is willing to join an existing establishment, his long-term plans are to start up a location which could become a “cornerstone for many people” in his community. Rubino sees the potential in this.
“It’s good that he is starting now,” Rubino said. “I think if people keep supporting him and he keeps at it he’ll definitely have a future in this.”
Yeager agrees that others’ support has played a large role in his pursuit of barbering. He hopes that anyone with similar entrepreneurial plans follows through as he has.
“You’ve gotta be true to it and not to fear what others might think about it,” Yeager said. “It’s very simple to get in your head about things, but if it’s something you’re truly passionate for, the only thing you can do is just start.”