Colton Stine, 34, a recent graduate of the A-B Tech Barber Academy, found his way to the barber chair unexpectedly. After working for a decade in supermarket warehouses, the Lewisburg, Pennsylvania native grew tired of his job in 2019, prompting Stine and his wife to move to western North Carolina to start a new life.
Stine had studied health and physical education in college but never finished his degree. His move to WNC was prompted by a former baseball coach who invited him to move to Pisgah Forest to help repair log cabins. A travel lover, Stine jumped at the opportunity but soon found he didn’t enjoy the work. Unsure of what to do next, he booked a haircut at The Local Barber & Tap, one of Asheville’s funkiest spots. It had been three years since his last haircut. His long mane touched his shoulders, and his mother was due for a visit. “I figured I’d surprise her,” he said.
A lover of old timey shops, Stine loved Barbar & Tap’s vintage atmosphere and the fact that he could order a drink at its bar. After getting his cut, Stine left, feeling cleaner, lighter and uplifted by the community vibe. Two weeks later, A-B Tech’s Continuing Education class schedule arrived in his mailbox.
He chuckles when he recalls what happened next. “I opened it right up to the barber (academy) page. I can’t make that up,” he said. “I thought to myself, ‘Why not give this a go?’ I like that environment.”
He emailed the barbering program, which launched in January 2020, only to find out there was a long wait list to get in. Finally, in September 2024, Stine was admitted. After Hurricane Helene struck the region later that month, students met solely online for three months. By the end of December, in-person classes resumed and Stine quickly realized he’d chosen the right path. He loves being a barber: talking to his clients, listening to what they want, and helping them figure out the best cut for them.
“There are so many types of men’s haircuts from clipper work to longer hair that requires shears,” he said. “I love being able to reach into a repertoire of different haircuts … You choose one for them and they like it and it’s another kind of cherry on top.”
Along with being able to think quickly on your feet, barbering also requires the ability to listen well and communicate clearly. After many years working in warehouses, Stine found this was a weaker point for him. During the program, he switched from warehouse work to serving at a local restaurant with the goal of improving his social and verbal skills. He juggled classes with working at Asheville’s Moose Lodge, which has just the kind of old-time community atmosphere that suits his old soul. The job also has improved his gift for gab and connect with a group of supportive men who are already asking to book haircuts.
After graduating on June 27, Stine is awaiting getting his permit so that he can begin a new job at Mills River Barber Shop. He’s excited to use his new skills, including giving old-fashioned straight-razor shaves, which he said are his favorite service. The old school shave, he said, embodies the spirit of the barbershop. Complete with a warm washcloth and hot soapy lather, it offers men the luxury of laying back and enjoy a soothing experience.
“It’s a lost art,” he said. “The hot towel and hot lather activate hair follicles, so hair stands straight up and the razor glides smoother and performs better.”
Stine hopes to one day own his own barber shop. He envisions it being a classic neighborhood spot where men can gather to talk with their neighbors. Along with a haircut, they could have a drink at a small bar, sit and relax for an hour and feel they have “travelled back in time”.
“This world is so fast paced, and I know men struggle with mental health,” Stine said. “We all have things we go through. In life it’s good to have little havens to go to slow down and enjoy the moment. That’s been lost in our society.”
Learn more about the A-B Tech Barber Academy at abtech.edu/barber.