By Christine Garcia & Arielle Nguyen
Finding a good barber around here must be shear luck … but many students have nothing to fear—we have barbers on campus!
A new generation of student entrepreneurs is making waves at Fountain Valley High School by operating small-scale hairdressing businesses that offer convenient and affordable haircuts to students in need.
The “high school barber” trend is not just about getting a haircut; it’s about inspiring young business owners to take their passion to another level while building their community.
For these barbers, cutting hair isn’t purely for profit. Juniors Ryan Nguyen and Dylan Nguyen expressed dissatisfaction after getting their hair cut by local barber shops, whether for the price or the style. Many would have continued to experience the same disappointing haircut; however, this sparked their curiosity for hairdressing. Since then, they have given students haircuts in their garages or backyards.
“What first inspired me was my own hair. I couldn’t find the right barber, so I just bought the equipment online and started [cutting my own hair],” Ryan Nguyen, owner of @shlimfades, said.
These barbers have dedicated an immeasurable amount of patience, practice and dedication to honing their craft, despite facing many struggles that come with being a “garage barber.”
A few things that have helped manage their time include keeping a set schedule, whether on an app or paper, as well as setting appointments around their daily lives.
“I [make appointments] around my gym schedule. If I have a rest day on Wednesday or the weekends, then I’ll cut [hair] on these days,” Ryan Nguyen said.
Being a student entrepreneur comes with its challenges—harder cuts to master, losing motivation or not even having a proper setup. However, every aspiration comes with struggles, and it’s not something these two haven’t endured before!
“I started taking progress photos and looking back at them to see how much I improved,” Dylan Nguyen, owner of @culyblends, said. “Seeing other people [receive] compliments on their cuts, and how happy they are about it… it makes me want to keep going.”
From the beginning, the two barbers have demonstrated that improvement develops over time—whether it’s the act of hairdressing or just upgrading their setups. Dylan Nguyen, for example, enjoys playing music while giving haircuts, providing a comfortable atmosphere for his clients. Typically, he switches between relaxing R&B and West Coast rap. Ryan, however, puts more emphasis on conversations with his clients.
Not convinced? Here are some testimonials from their respective clients!
Dylan “@culyblends” Nguyen
“Many things separate Dylan [from other barbers],” senior Ethan Nguyen, a client of Dylan Nguyen’s, said. “He’s not only a friend, but a brother… he cuts [my hair] so well… [and he] takes good care of me.”
“Just try [Dylan Nguyen] out,” senior Nathan Nguyen, a client of Dylan Nguyen’s, said. “He’ll get you right. And if you need a taper, he got you.”
Ryan “@shlimfades” Nguyen
“I have to drive super far [for my other barbers], and they [cost around], 30 to 40 bucks,” junior Aiden Chu, a client of Ryan Nguyen’s, said. “[Ryan Nguyen, however], you can either go to his house or he’ll go to yours and cut you there…. he’s just cheaper. And then if you don’t like something, he just fixes it on the spot for you.”
“[Ryan Nguyen’s] a great barber,” freshman Jack Reinhardt, a client of Ryan Nguyen’s, said. “I’ve been going to him for a while now… he’s better at fading [than my other barbers].”
Conclusion
Bringing joy and satisfaction to their clients is one of their biggest accomplishments thus far. In the future, Dylan Nguyen hopes to receive his hairdressing license and “be the best barber.” Ryan Nguyen, although a bit skeptical about his career, hopes that he’ll save enough money to purchase a car.
“The only thing that keeps me and my business running is seeing my clients happy with their haircut,” Ryan Nguyen said. “I think that’s what I want to accomplish.”
Despite the challenges of being “garage barbers,” Dylan Nguyen and Ryan Nguyen, demonstrate their future success in the hobby by contributing vibrant and evolving spaces, through the artistry of cutting hair for many students in high school.
By combining their ambition and talent for cutting hair, they serve their community the best they can, one haircut at a time.
This article was updated on Friday, Feb. 28 at 8:02 a.m. to correct the spelling from “@schlimfades” to “@shlimfades.”
