Waterloo barber: ‘Younger self would probably laugh’

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) - His mother a beautician, William Burt’s childhood Saturdays consisted of watching her roll papers for perms and curls.

His brothers got tired of getting haircuts from their mom. That’s when Burt first picked up the clippers. When he was sent to prison in the same year, Burt continued sharpening his skills, earning a barber job and cutting the hair of anyone willing to sit in his chair.

Now he gives haircuts at his own brick-and-mortar shop, Kut Kings, which opened in mid-March.

“My younger self would probably laugh,” Burt said of his accomplishments. “Because I had street aspirations. I had, like, ridiculous kingpin goals. So being a worker today would probably be funny to my younger self.”

The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports Burt’s opening of the business comes after his long legislative movement to legalize mobile barbershops in Iowa. The bill, drafted by Smith, got signed into law by Gov. Kim Reynolds nearly a year ago. Burt said he got his official license for the mobile shop in March, but is first focusing on getting his brick-and-mortar location up and running.

The hair stylist plans to offer services for free to people without access or the ability to afford a barber. Raised in a small town in central Mississippi, he said he grew up with very little. He remembers the generosity of his grandfather giving free rides to people when he could barely afford gas.

“It’s just time to give it back,” Burt said. “The community accepted me as a four-time felon, and I feel like I owe it back. No one talks to me about who I used to be. That person doesn’t even exist in my life anymore unless I bring him up. To me, that’s all love, and it’s gotta be reciprocated.”

Burt doesn’t consider himself the best barber - though he admits he might rank himself in the top tier. He focuses more on providing a conversation and vibe that makes clients feel comfortable. The bonds he builds have led to friendships between his kids and clients’ kids, he said.

“I believe I have a way to intellectually connect with people. It lifts spirits. You can get advice. We become counselors,” Burt said. “You build relationships that last forever.”

He spent about $25,000 in acquiring and renovating his store. That does not include travel and hotel costs for his trip to New York to pick up equipment, which left him with added car trouble. He is renting the space with a one-year lease but eventually hopes to buy the former dental office.

When he first toured the building, it was dark and dingy. But Burt said he saw the potential.

The building now houses several barber stations, a shampoo room, multiple spots for photos after haircuts, an office, possible break room and a front room. The front room and barber stations have TVs for stylists and clients to watch. Photos of basketball player LeBron James - originally collected for a basement man cave - now line the walls at his shop.

“They were still laying around when I got this place, so here they are,” Burt said of the photos. “I know a lot of guys come through and get on me about it.”

Burt employs one other stylist and a photographer, and his 25-year-old son runs social media accounts and email. He takes his other 10-year-old son under his wing to show him the process of starting the business.

The average price for service at Kut Kings is $20 for haircut and $30 for full-service, including washing and beard trimming. He offers individual services for different prices. People can book their appointments online or call the shop at 319-300-4707.

“I don’t want to word it like I’m telling people I’m better, but my goal for Kut Kings is to set that different feel, that different vibe,” Burt said. “When you walk in, you know you’re not just at a regular barber shop.”