Making the Cut

Masterpiece Barber College opens in Las Vegas, bringing new opportunities in a steady industry.

There is an alarmingly high unemployment rate among African-Americans in Nevada. Still, there are opportunities for economic self-sufficiency — and Marcus Allen, owner of the new Masterpiece Barber College, is giving Las Vegas residents the option to enter a profession that never goes out of style.

“This past September, we had the ribbon-cutting ceremony for our new Masterpiece Barber College,” said Allen. “I have three other barbershops that I have operated in Las Vegas since 2004, but opening up a barber college presented a different opportunity.”

The opening of Masterpiece Barber College gives the state its second barber college. “I identified a real need to open a barber school,” said Allen, “so I went back to school to get my instructor’s license — because you must have at least two certified instructors to own and operate a barber school in Nevada. The process to receive my certification only took me about a year-and-a-half. It was great that I went back to school, because I have been out of barber school for 20 years. Also, I want to fill in the gap in barber training with professionalism. That is what’s missing with many barbers — professionalism and knowing how to dress and conduct one’s self. Also, barber technique is important, and I want to teach techniques before aspiring barbers graduate from barber school. Sometime it’s too late to teach someone new tricks once they feel they have already made it in the barber industry.”

The all-new Masterpiece Barber College is located at 3510 East Bonanza and has a current student capacity of 20. Allen expects to increase enrollment by 100 percent after double-shift instruction is implemented.

The Masterpiece brand is a hallmark in the Las Vegas community, and Allen credits his notoriety and success to people skills. “I believe in hands-on networking,” he said. “Not so much social networking — but personally connecting with people in the community and those new customers who are seeking services. I tell anyone that it’s tough and rough, but nothing true dedication can’t conquer.”