This Barber Wants To Break Barriers for Females in the Industry

Cassie Kurtz, barber and founder of Her Chair His Hair, is on a mission to break down barriers for female barbers. This weekend, Kurtz is teaching a class and performing on the main stage at IBS Las Vegas, showcasing what it means to be a female barber. We sat down with Kurtz to get the scoop on her career and her plans for IBS.

What attendees can expect from my class:

Women’s empowerment, community and fun. If they have any concerns about being a barber, or crossing over into the barbering industry, our goal is to alleviate that. It’s going to be five women on stage, all demonstrating something very unique and different from one another. There will be something for everybody. 

My proudest moment as an educator:
I’d have to say I don’t have one singular moment. Every time I’m working with someone and they have that ‘Aha!’ moment—seeing that look on their face, it means that everything has paid off and that you’re really making a difference. 

My beauty icons:

Definitely Beyoncé—That woman can work! I also had a mentor when I was a makeup artist, her name is Margina Dennis and she’s also a makeup artist. When I wanted to become a barber, she pushed me to do it. For the past 10 years she has really helped me mold my career. 

When I’m not teaching my class, at IBS you’ll find me:
Walking around! I love going to trade shows because it gives me the opportunity to see new techniques and stumble across new educators.

Something people might be surprised to know: 

I deal with pretty bad social anxiety. I’ve had to learn how to navigate and deal with larger trade shows because they’re especially exhausting for me. I never got over it, but I’ve learned how to manage it. It’s like a person with a fear of heights going on a rollercoaster to help deal with that fear. For me, hosting and emceeing on the main stage is my rollercoaster.  

Sign up for Working Women: Showcase and Educational Seminar, taking place at IBS Las Vegas on June 16, 2019 at 2:45 pm.