Barbers at 903 Cutz attend to clients during the evening of July 10. (Raquel Villatoro/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Tyler resident Antonio Medina, 17, has opened up his own barbershop after over a year of planning.

Medina started cutting hair at the age of 13 in his mom’s kitchen. He decided he wanted to pursue being a barber and went to RISE Academy so he could graduate early. He graduated in May of this year. On June 10, he opened 903 Cutz.

“It’s been great so far, we’ve been getting a lot of walk-ins, a lot of support,” Medina said. “All my barbers, they’re staying busy. I’m busy.”

Medina and his father own 903 Cutz at 1211 W Gentry Pkwy, Suite 105. His parents are happy for him.

“They’re just excited,” Medina said. “They were ready to open up. We’ve been waiting for nine, 10 months already. And we’re ready.”

Getting into the field

One day after Medina went to work with his dad in construction outside, Medina asked his mom if he could come back home because it was too hot. He then asked her if he could cut his siblings’ hair. His mom agreed. She appreciated the help, as she could not cut all five of her kids’ hair, plus her husband’s.

He then went on to cut friends’ hair and it grew from there.

“I think it was a blessing from God because he was very lucky in getting many clients and his friends to trust in him,” said Medina’s mom Yarizel Pastenes de Medina.

Finding the right place

After starting his own barber business, Medina cut hair from his parents’ home but dreamed of having his own location.

He felt finding the right place was moving slowly but Pastenes de Medina advised him to not rush the process.

“[Handle] everything calmly, do not pressure yourself and don’t go for something just because it’s cheap,” Pastenes de Medina said. “(I encouraged him to go for) something that was nice, with plenty of space and affordable for him.”

The first location they found was smaller and required a complete remodel. Medina wanted to jump on the space because he was worried they would not find another place. However, his mom advised him to wait. Two weeks later, Pastenes de Medina found the now home of 903 Cutz on Gentry Parkway.

She told Medina about the space and contacted the landlord. They made a deal with the landlord and it became Medina’s place.

Being a business owner

At 903 Cutz on Gentry Parkway, business is booming. Kids, adults and people of all ages and genders can come get haircuts, highlights, perms, hot towels, wax, shampoo, conditioning, black mask, facials and more. They are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We pretty much do it all, to be honest,” Medina said of his services. “We have barbers that are pretty good at doing different stuff. Everybody does their own thing but overall everybody provides them.”

Although it took time to secure permits and get everything ready, Medina is grateful 903 Cutz opened now instead of last year when he thought he was ready. He believes everything works out in its own time. He has learned to be a leader and the difficulties of being a business owner.

Medina has learned to balance keeping valuable clients along with new clients.

In the future, Medina would like to open up more locations. He is excited to learn more about being an entrepreneur and being a leader.

Since opening

In late June, 903 Cutz had their grand opening. By 9 a.m., about 15 people waited outside before they opened at 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 30. They had 53 people come to get haircuts that day. They planned to do 50 free haircuts but exceeded their cap.

Since opening a month ago in June, they have seen a steady flow of people. They currently have 10 employees, including Medina and a licensed cosmetologist. In the future, Medina wants to have more than 30 employees.

Community engagement

Medina often holds raffles on social media. 903 Cutz has done raffles for a free haircut, or fade, free tattoos and a free hairstyle or set of nails.

In addition to raffles, Medina is planning an event to give free haircuts for those going back to school. He wants to do the event two days before school so the haircuts will be fresh.

Making his family proud

Medina, the oldest of five, has influenced his two younger brothers to get into cutting hair. His dad also works at the barbershop and started cutting hair because of Medina.

Pastenes de Medina is proud of her son and husband. She sometimes comes by the barbershop with her 1-year-old daughter. She misses seeing them as often but is looking forward to seeing her son continue to succeed.

“I’m proud because I feel it wasn’t easy,” Pastenes de Medina said. “But here we are. Because it was a process, economically, and stressful too, because it wasn’t all easy.”

For more information on 903 Cutz, visit them on Facebook or Instagram at 903_cutz.