A Detroit teen may be well on his way to becoming an A-list barber after his entrepreneurial spirit landed him on the suspension list at Renaissance High School.
Cameron Tucker was caught using one of the school’s bathrooms as his workspace to cut the hair of his peers during study hall. “In the middle of doing that, the teacher walked in, stared at us for about 45 seconds, and walked out,” explained Cameron of the Nov. 11 incident while speaking to Fox 2 Detroit.
As a result, Cameron’s mother, Cassandra Young, received a call from the school to pick up her son. “We need someone to come pick up Cameron, he’s running a barbershop out of the third-floor bathroom,” said an administrator in a recorded message, according to WJBK-TV FOX2 Detroit. “There’s line in there, hair all over the floor. He’s got his whole setup in there like on the movie ‘Barbershop.’ “
The budding barber was unable to avoid punishment and shared that administrators applauded him for his skills and tenacity. ‘While we were walking to the office and everything, all the administrators were like, ‘I respect the hustle and things like that,’ ” he recalled.
Cameron picked up his first set of clippers over the summer in an effort to save money on his own haircuts. He even picked up a few pointers from his uncle. What he developed was a passion that then spread to his cutting hair for friends and family.
The 16-year-old even received an apprenticeship invitation from Sebastian Jackson, CEO and founder of Detroit’s premier barbershop The Social Club Grooming Co. “You have become so good at your craft in such a short period of time,” Sebastian told the teen. Sebastian’s barbershop has two locations in the Detroit area, serving clients such as former NBA player Jalen Rose and rapper Big Sean.
“I’ll tell you man, just based on the hustle, if you’re interested in apprenticing with one of our cosmetologists or myself, that’s definitely an opportunity,” Sebastian added. Online strangers have also applauded the teen’s safe means of creating an income of his own.
“Awesome. I wouldn’t be mad…total respect the hustle. But try to do it outside of school … [laughing emoji]”
“What a touching story! I wish this fine young man ALL the best in life!” and “Props to this young man.”
As for future plans of cutting hair on campus, Cameron says “lesson learned.” The teen can, however, apply to enroll in Detroit Public Schools cosmetology program which would allow him to earn credits toward a cosmetology license — further setting him on the path to run his own barbershop.
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