At Jesuit, students aren’t just excelling in academics and sports, some are building unique skills that stand out in their communities.
Andrew Reyes has been making a name for himself at Jesuit with his exquisite ability for cutting hair. The junior has transformed his talent into a thriving hobby and local business.
Reyes operates out of his home where he has “a little setup” including his toolbox, a big mirror, and TV.
The emerging barber mainly focuses on men’s style haircuts, occasionally incorporating intricate designs and patterns.
Although he has been cutting hair for two years, Reyes is a self-taught barber.
“Just a lot of YouTube,” he said. “I learned everything by myself. I didn’t really have anybody.”
Reyes’ inspiration and determination to improve stems from a desire to give people the haircuts they deserve.
“I just saw people not getting good haircuts,” Reyes said. “I felt kind of bad.”
Reyes also adds that he started cutting hair for “the experience” and to “have a lifelong lesson,” highlighting his intrigue for the journey.
As with any craft, being a young barber comes with challenges. Clients who don’t have the right posture or who sometimes refuse to pay create difficulties.
Despite these obstacles, Reyes’ interactions with his clients also result in the most rewarding part of the job. “I really like seeing their smiles once I’m done with their haircut,” he said. “Some of them haven’t gotten a good haircut they’ve wanted, so seeing them smile after their haircut is pretty relieving.”
To see Reyes’ work, follow him on Instagram @ac_fadzzz, where he posts his latest cuts.
