Meet Shawnteal Weaver | Master Haircare Specialist & Barber Instructor
We had the good fortune of connecting with Shawnteal Weaver and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Shawnteal, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I was inspired to cut hair professionally by a barber/ tattoo artist name when I was about 16 years old. A man walked in asking for a haircut and design. The artist told him to go to the tattoo stencil box to pick his design and I was immediately intrigued. At the time, I was cutting my own hair and I always sketched for fun. Imagine my surprise when this man pulls out a stencil of an angel!
From the torso up, the angel had a six pack and his wings spread. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I sat and watched the artist cut that tattoo stencil into the man’s head. I completely fell in love with the concept of people walking around with my art on their heads!
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I consider barbering an art. When I first started, I only cared about doing designs and winning hair shows. Mostly because, that’s what inspired me. Once in barber school, I discovered the beauty of making people look and feel good about themselves.
A lot of people start to become successful and get comfortable. They feel because they are making a certain dollar amount they are the best. I personally never feel like I’m the best. If I start to feel like I’m one of the top 2 barbers in a location, I would move to an environment completely new and uncomfortable. I did this for years, placing myself in shops with different ethnicities. Learning to cut different textures of hair. I also placed myself in new positions, managing shops and helping shops open from the ground up. Everything has given me the tools to open my own shop, which I’m most excited about!
I’ll be opening my first barber shop in January. The road was not easy, but I never settled or gave up. Jungle Kutz is a brand I’ve been building since barber school and to finally be able to see it on a building is a dream come true.
In business and life, set your standard. Hold people to that. The hardest part of a service career is dealing with people, but if you love what you do stick to it. Remove the bad customers and new ones will come along. All money isn’t good money. Lastly, if I can become successful with everything I’ve been through in life, so can you!
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Wow, I’m a home body lol. I honestly work too much and when I do get a break I prefer to go out of town. Charleston is growing tho, we just recently got a Top Golf, I love arcades, so Stars and Stripes is a cool place to have fun and gets some drinks. Charleston’s beach is beautiful, and you honestly can’t go wrong with downtown Charleston. Downtown has a great day and night life with amazing food from restaurants like Halls Chop House or Pearls.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Yes, a female named Kierstin Wright. When I got out of prison she contacted me and asked me if I still cut hair. She referred me to Top of the Line Barber College here in Charleston SC. They do an amazing job teaching and producing great barbers. I owe the start of my career to them.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jungle_kutz/profilecard/?igsh=dXdnMXZlcnRycjg0
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shawnteal.weaver?mibextid=LQQJ4d
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