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A lot of people don't know that barbers were the first surgeons, they first dentists.
They did a lot of things.
Really a true barbershop was designed, it was actually the cornerstone of the community.
Been cutting since '96, so I almost 20 years in this.
I've always had a knack for it, since I was a kid. That carried over into school.
I am a barber at Unique Blends.
I thought it was a great part-time job.
Not knowing that a person could make a great living doing this.
I just have a general love for cutting hair.
I pay attention to details. I'm not saying I cut hair perfect all the time.
But the majority of the time I do. And that's the same with everybody in the shop.
We're really good barbers.
I see things in other people's hair that others don't see and to bring that out.
That's what I really enjoy doing.
Our specialty is just cutting hair. The shop is a reflection of us.
So if we slip in our work, the shop is going to slip as well.
I came to Alaska kinda on a limb and I've enjoyed being here ever since.
A person can actually have the American dream and actually acquire here in Anchorage.
Any goal is obtainable.
Thirteen years I've been on the east side of town. Thirteen years.
Overall, Muldoon is growing. It's changing.
A lot of people think Muldoon is the lower-income side of town.
One of the crime sides of town.
But I don't really see it like that.
Here on Muldoon, you get such a wide variety of cultures. It's a beautiful thing.
I see it like that.
That's the main thing. People are really shocked by how diverse it is up here.
I know I was.
A lot of people don't realize that Anchorage is one of the most diverse cities in America.
It's a melting pot of a whole bunch of different people.
That's one thing I love about Alaska. It's so diverse here.
Pretty much before, even when I go back to visit family on the east coast.
I get the, "You guys live in igloos and ride around on sleds and stuff."
I think they feel that we're behind.
People just kind of think that we just live off the land.
Just a bunch of rednecks up here, doing whatever.
Being in Alaska, there's one that I've learned about being a barber
Compared to other states, a lot people don't appreciate the value of a good haircut
As much as they do in other states, because simply for what Alaska is.
It's not really a state for entertainment or going out and being seen or anything like that.
A lot of people don't care as much as they do in other states. It's not so much a priority.
Maybe because it's cold or maybe because they think there's no point in going anywhere.
Gradually. You see it more gradually changing.
Try to open the door. You know, they have to want to walk through it to change it.