Tyler Holland’s new barbering career path

By Joan Janzen
joanjanzen@yahoo.com

It’s common for people to make a career change, which Tyler Holland from Kindersley has done. Like so many other young men, Tyler had worked in the oil patch, which wasn’t surprising since the Holland name is well-known in the oil industry.

Unfortunately, Tyler was involved in an accident a few years ago and “that changed my whole career path,” Tyler said. “My family was hounding me to go to school, so I checked out barbering and what it took to go to school.”

Working in the oil patch and barbering are two completely different careers, but Tyler’s interest was peaked when he could finally grow a beard after leaving the oil patch. He began trimming his own beard and said, “Literally, I’d look at guys’ beards and wonder what I could do.”

Tyler enrolled in the Canada School of Barbering in Edmonton, AB, to obtain his Masters in Barbering. The course has a hands-on approach, which allowed Tyler to learn as he worked. Shortly after completing two weeks of online fundamentals, basic concepts and an internship, Tyler offered free in-campus service to customers.

The program offers instruction in precision shear cuts, clipper cuts, fades, hot shaves and beard trims. Tyler will complete the final six weeks of the course in the fall or winter of this year, but in the meantime he has been working at his trade for a few weeks, at 125C - 1st Avenue East in Kindersley, where he rents a chair at Roots & Split Ends Hair Salon.

“I know a lot of guys who want a guy to cut their hair, and they’re going to Saskatoon for hair cuts. When I started reading up on it, watching videos and actually cutting hair, I came to realize how picky I was about my own hair. I am kind of a perfectionist,” he admitted.

Tyler discovered he loved the trade. “I’m quick at what I do, and I strived to be quick at school. At school they hounded me a lot because I was going way too quick, but they also said I was doing good work. I find if I slow down I do way too much, because I’m such a perfectionist.”

Most of all, Tyler is rewarded with the finished product after his customers get out of his chair. He’s looking forward to more flexible hours and will eventually create a name for his new venture. But until then, he’s looking forward to offering a necessary service in Kindersley.