HARTFORD, Conn. — When Courtney Connors graduated from the International Institute of Cosmetology in Wethersfield several years ago, she had a dream of becoming a successful barber in her own barbershop.
This year, Connors, 27, fulfilled that goal and now is a barber and the new owner of Cut Republic, at 199 Shunpike Road in Cromwell.
And while she originally believed that she wanted to do women’s hair, Connors said she changed her mind after being introduced to more men’s cuts while in trade school.
About how she has navigated this majority male dominated industry of barbering, Connors said that she has had a straightforward transition into the field.
“It went smoothly for me. I just knew that I liked doing shorter styled haircuts. That’s pretty much all you do for the most part at a barbershop,” she said. “That really made me fall in love with it. And then I did think it was pretty cool that the female barber industry was also growing. So it was just really nice to be a part of that.”
When she first graduated from cosmetology school, she secured her first barbering position at a local shop, where she was really able to learn and hone in on her barbering skills, Connors said.
“There’s always stuff to learn, but that’s where I really was able to focus on it. It took probably a good year … to feel comfortable enough to not do haircuts on just friends and family, she said. “That’s really cool.”
Connors eventually left her first barber position after three years and worked at another salon close to Cut Republic for 2 1/2 years, before hearing from previous co-workers about their positive experiences working at Cut Republic.
“I knew a few of my old coworkers that actually went to Cut Republic, and it just seemed like a really nice environment,” she said.
“It’s very professional and family friendly. They’re very involved in the community as well,” Connors said. “We sponsored the Little League team and the football team. So, it just seems like a place that [would] fit me a little bit better. I liked the energy, too.”
Impressed by what she heard and saw, she eventually also started working at Cut Republic. After working there for a year, the previous owner, Justin Philavong, said that he was moving back to Florida and wanted to offer the barbershop to a staff member, Connors said.
So, when he approached Connors with the opportunity to own Cut Republic, she immediately accepted.
“And so, he asked me and I was like, ‘Heck yeah,’” she said.
As the barbershop owner, Connors said that she does not plan to deviate too far from what the previous owner has already established within the shop.
“Keep[ing] the environment just the way that it was, just very professional and family friendly. Also involved in the community. I think the way that it’s been run has been very good, very comfortable. So I wouldn’t want to change too much,” she said.
Along with being proud of herself, Connors’ family and friends are rooting for her as well.
“She loves what she does and has made many friends in the field, being a woman in the male dominated world of barbering,” Connors grandmother, Jean Jarvis, said.
Connors said the support “felt really good.”
“They were all very supportive. They knew eventually that’s what I wanted to do is own my own barbershop. So they’re very happy for me and yeah, it’s a good feeling,” she said.
Connors said she has advice for others, especially women, who may want to follow her footsteps when it comes to barbering and/or owning their own business.
“Go for it. You don’t have any limit on what you can do when you put your mind to it. And it’s achievable. Anything that’s once a dream is achievable,” she said.
