HarlemLIVE

There are many career options, especially, in New York City. But who wants to have a boring career job that you have to wake up every morning and go to. Not me of course. So I went around Harlem and thought about the excellent career choice to write a story on and introduce to in HarlemLIVE. Have you ever thought about cutting hair? Well, these two gentlemen have.

I went to two local Barbershops in Harlem and interviewed barbers that enjoy cutting hair on a regular basis. One of the barbers, I came across was Manny, a 28 years old barber, at Show Nuff on 124 and Lenox Ave. Manny says he’s been cutting hair professionally for 5 years and immaturely for 10years.

Manny stated while growing up as a little boy, his babysitter was a Barber and he use to play in his friend’s hair and began cutting his friends hair for free. Manny eventually got tired of cutting hair for free and began cutting hair professionally by going to Barber school to receive a certificate to be certified to work at a professional Barber shop. Manny says he loves making people feel good, and look good.  He stated, “ I take my job as if I am doctor doing surgery. I can transform you to a totally different person”.

Manny is so good at cutting hair, he doesn’t go anywhere else to get haircuts; instead he cuts his own hair. Being a Barber for some people can be a long-term career job according to Manny’s experience he NEVER wants to quit cutting hair.

Another Barber I interviewed was Beneo employed at Victor’s Barbershop on 118th and Lenox Ave. Beneo is 32 years old and has been cutting hair for only 3years. Beneo says he started cutting hair because he needed something to do as a source to keep him out of trouble. He to started cutting his friends hair for free. Until one day he went to Massachusetts to train/study and receive a certified certificate to cut hair at a professional Barbershop. Beneo’s prices at his shop vary but are very affordable prices in the Harlem community.

A line up is $5.00, whole head is $20.00, shape-up or faze is $8.00, Caesar $10.00, kids $9.00, and senior citizens $8.00. He also does designs, and cut- eyebrows.Barber’s can earn up to $4,000 a month. You have to be patient, motivated, and ready to be on your feet for most of the day. It might be in your best interest to become a Harlem barber as your summer career.