Brooke Dolan, educator, shop owner and badass barber.
Brooke Dolan, educator, shop owner and badass barber.

When it comes to barbering, it’s not just a man’s world. Meet Brooke Dolan, Gibs Grooming national educator and owner of Two Bit Barbershop in Fort Collins, CO, a mobile barbershop that provides high quality men’s haircuts, traditional cut throat shaves with hot towels and beard shaping. Dolan shared with MODERN:

MODERN SALON: What do you love about being in the hair industry?
BROOKE DOLAN: Every day brings new learning experiences. Being in this ever evolving field helps me to constantly grow both as a business owner and as an individual. I am lucky to have the best clients that make me feel like I get to spend my days with friends.

MS: What would people be surprised to learn about you?
BD: I have an original 1932 Ford that I race in dirt drags, hill climbs and beach races.

MS: What is the most exciting part of being a Gibs educator?
BD: Meeting new people and having the opportunity to learn from some amazing people.

MS: How would you describe your personal style?
BD: Greaser girl who digs Dixxon flannels, chucks and cuffed jeans but also the girl who likes 40’s updo’s, dresses, heels and vintage fur coats.

MS: What is your advice to future hair professionals still in school?
BD:
Don’t listen to the negativity and have enough faith in yourself to smash every single one of your goals.

MS: What is the best advice you received in your career and from who?
BD:
My husband, who owns three tattoo shops, always gives me advice! He says a business is worth nothing if you don’t own the property it sits on. Never buy someone else a building with your hard earned money.

MS: What was your biggest career challenge and how did you overcome it?
BD: When I got my barbers license, no one wanted to interview me, let alone hire me. I wasn’t a cosmetologist or hairstylist so people assumed I couldn’t cut women’s hair. The barbershops in town weren’t hiring or wanted years of experience which I didn’t have. So, I opened up my own shop and here we are now.

MS: What cringeworthy hairstyle have you had in the past? 
BD: My Grandma in Texas used to take me to get perms when I was little. Which would have been fine if she didn’t also have my hair cut short making me look like a 12 year old version of a Golden Girl!!

Elizabeth Yong Colabello

Elizabeth Yong Colabello

Project Editor

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