2 days ago
Local barber brings big city feel to small town studio
BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN) – A new barbershop in Boardman is looking to add some local barbers to the team.
Kiernan Kiske opened the doors to Stylogarten Barber Studio March 1.
Growing up in Poland, Kiernan Kiske wanted to be a tattoo artist, but he could never find a place to learn. Eventually, he got tired of his desk job and took a leap, applying to barber school.
'At that time, the only one around was in Niles — Raphael's, and so that was whenever I quit my job the day that I signed up. I never really thought about cutting hair, but I was like, let's give it a shot,' Kiske said.
From that point on, Kiske fell in love with cutting hair. Starting in 2020, he spent five years in a space with other artists until this March, when he opened his own studio — Stylogarten on Market Street.
'I wanted to create my own space. I'd collect a lot of art, Italian glass, very much in arts and culture. I thought that would be my first step into trying to curate a spot that doesn't necessarily look like a barbershop, a traditional barbershop,' Kiske said.
Kiske says he loves the freedom of self-employment, and he was excited to bring his own style to the new studio.
'I had this spot open up, and it kind of just seemed to be the perfect timing. I was ready to expand, and my clientele was growing a lot, so I was like, maybe I need a bigger space. Maybe I could start bringing on some other guys who see the same vision as me,' Kiske said.
Stylogarten has five open spots that Kiske is looking to fill with local barbers over the next two years. Though the walls of his studio are lined with a wide variety of paintings and decor, he's keeping those five booths empty so any new barbers can bring their own touch to the studio.
'I am trying to make it way more personalized for barbers where they could really make their own hours as long as they're staying consistent. I give them their booth. If they want to add lighting, add lighting. If they want to put up art, put up art. It's yours,' Kiske said.
Kiske says he's not only looking for seasoned barbers, but he's willing to use his eight years of experience as a mentor.
'I have five spots open. I would love to have some cool barbers here that kind of see the vision that I'm going for, kind of giving a big city feel to the small town,' he said.
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