Empowering Communities. Transforming Lives. One Cut at a Time.

On a hot day in Downtown Los Angeles, a young barber named Carlos Spivey set up his clippers and a folding chair in the heart of Skid Row. With no sponsors and no press, just purpose, he used his own money to offer free haircuts, bottled water, and hot meals to the unhoused community.

But it quickly became clear—a haircut alone wasn’t enough. People needed connection. Opportunity. Mentorship. At the same time, Carlos saw that young barbers and stylists entering the industry were often underprepared—not in skill, but in mindset and business. They could pass the state board test, but struggled with real-world barbering: fading, timing, building clientele, managing money, and mastering the professional mindset.

That calling—and that gap—sparked the creation of Barber Gurus Inc.

Founded by Carlos Spivey, Barber Gurus Inc. began with grassroots service in the streets of Skid Row and has grown into a nonprofit movement based in South Los Angeles.

Carlos realized that too many barbering programs were preparing students only to pass a test—not to thrive as professionals. So he created a new blueprint: a space where students learn technical excellence—from mastering fades and clean line-ups to time management—and pair that with the business mindset needed to succeed. Through Barber Gurus, students learn:

    •    How to build and retain clientele

    •    How to manage finances and reinvest

    •    The importance of professionalism and punctuality

    •    The power of having the right mentor to help them grow mentally, emotionally, and financially
Because barbering isn’t just a skill—it’s a lifestyle, a culture, and a career path that can change lives.