Today we’d like to introduce you to Ian McKinley Bowey.
Hi Ian McKinley, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I still remember the first haircut I got that really changed the way I saw myself. I was probably thirteen or fourteen at the time, still shy, still unsure of who I was. That haircut was more than just an obligation, it showed me who I could be and gave me the confidence I needed to fully show up in the world.
For the first time I saw someone different in the mirror, and I felt other people could see it too. When I decided to go to cosmetology school, I wanted to be able to do that for other people.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I graduated from cosmetology school in October of 2019, I had been working for a software company for the last eight years and going to school part time the last eleven months. I had resigned from my position in February 2020 and had planned to travel for two months before returning home and transitioning to working in a salon full time.
My last day was Friday March 13th, by Monday all my flights had been cancelled and the world had gone into lockdown. I was unemployed for the next several months wondering if I had just made the worst mistake of my life.
When Salons and Barbershops opened again it was very difficult, wearing masks all day while trying to connect with new clients, having people wait outside the shop to avoid contact with other customers, the salon I worked for ended up closing in October of 2021 at which time I ended up going BACK to my previous job for fear I was not cut out for this industry in a world I no longer recognized.
I ended up cutting hair on Sundays at a local barbershop and working Monday through Friday at my other job for two years before leaving again to cut hair full time. I now rent a chair at a beautiful shop in southeast Portland and am running my own business alongside the best people I could ask for.
It was challenging for sure, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Barber at Capulet Tattoo & Barbershop, and I specialize in detailed fades and precision scissor work. I’m not sure what I am known for, but I would like to be known as the Barber who always listens. Having thorough consultations and really getting to know the people in your chair, I believe will further yield a better result.
So often I hear from clients about past experiences where they feel like they weren’t heard, and before they can even explain what they want, their hair is already hitting the floor. They feel rushed, overlooked, and undervalued.
I take the time to listen to my clients, ask the right questions, and get to know their preferences. Sure, I spend countless hours perfecting and learning new techniques. But that’s not what I’m proud of, I am proud of my ability to listen, to make people feel valued. Thats what I’m proud of, and I feel like that’s what sets me apart.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memories are all on the river. My dad was a Whitewater Kayaker and we spent all the summers I remember rafting and camping. 115 degrees outside, driving with no AC and the windows down, in the middle of nowhere, just my mom, my dad, my sister, and I.
Life will never be that simple again.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ianmckinleyhair.glossgenius.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ian_mckinley_hair
