KEVIN ALCALA
Q: What’s your occupation? Explain your career, your accomplishments and professional highlights.
A: I own and operate Fort Collins Barbershop. When we opened in 2019, I was not anticipating the unpredictable world that 2020 would bring us. However, I know I am lucky to have a barbershop in such a supportive community. There have been ups and downs, but I am very proud to say that over the past four years, we have made our mark by becoming one of the premier barbershops in Fort Collins. I am so happy to be able to settle down in the community I grew up in and provide jobs and services to people who intend to do the same.
Q: Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now.
A: My family moved here from Las Vegas when I was in third grade. I briefly attended CSU, where I studied music and physics. Soon after realizing that college was a bit out of my budget, I left. Over the next few years, I worked too many jobs to count while searching for a passion. I eventually attended barber school in Denver and discovered my calling. After working in the field for a few years, I decided to open my shop and have never looked back.
Q: Tell us something unique about you.
A: I began playing disc golf in high school, and after nearly a decade, I still compete professionally all over Colorado and into neighboring states. I love to do clinics at schools and summer camps and do whatever I can to grow the sport.
Age: 28
Occupation: Owner and founder of Fort Collins Barbershop
Q: What do you consider your biggest accomplishment, either professionally or personally?
A: Opening my business and pushing through the pandemic is definitely one of my biggest accomplishments. I love the feeling of being able to give back to the community that has given so much to me. My fiancé and I both grew up here, and we want to be able to give our future generation the same amazing childhood that we had.
Q: Where do you see yourself in five years? In 10 years?
A: I can see that we may outgrow our little barbershop very soon. Over the next few years, we will branch out into the rest of Northern Colorado and provide the same neighborhood feel to people all over the Front Range. I also hope to grow my product line from the small operation we currently have to a nationwide product. Who knows, maybe I can be the next Paul Mitchell.
Q: What piece(s) of advice would you give to your younger self?
A: I would say it’s easy to fall into a life that makes other people proud, but you need to prioritize what makes you proud of yourself. More often than not, you’ll see people who figure this out way too late.
Q: What challenges did you face while putting yourself through barber school?
A: There was a two-year waitlist, but to my surprise, I received a call that someone had dropped out and that if I could make it happen, they had a spot for me that year. I jumped at the opportunity but was unfortunately widely underprepared. This left me with quite a few financial hardships that led me to bounce around from couch to basement and spend an unfavorable few weeks sleeping in my car. That said, I would never take any of it back.
Q: How did you discover your calling as a barber?
A: I began cutting my own hair when I was in junior high, so I’ve always been comfortable with clippers. I eventually got brave enough to start cutting my brother’s hair, and soon I moved on to other family and friends. When I went to college and later joined the workforce, barbering was something that never left. It became pretty serious, and my clientele was building quickly, so I figured the next logical step was to go to barber school and try to make a real career out of it. It may have been the best decision I ever made.
