By Gwendolyn H. Daniels
Garland Journal
The year was 2006 when Bronsha Valentine began his journey as an entrepreneur.
Bronsha, better known as “Valentine,” is a Dallas native and was raised in a family of three children. He is the middle child with an older and a younger sister.
When asked “why” he chose a career as a barber, Valentine explained, fondly recalling the repeated experience of going to his neighborhood barber shop. “I used to get my hair cut at a barber shop growing up and it inspired me.” Valentine is a 1995 graduate of Texas Barber College. Next year (November 2025), he is looking forward to celebrating 30 years in the profession.
Valentine began cutting hair in east Garland at Starks Barber Shop on Casalita Street. After building up his clientele he launched V’s Cuts in 2006 on First Street, also in east Garland. It was at his initial location that Valentine had a beauty station occupied by a young aspiring beautician who prepared hairstyles for women. Today, V’s Cuts is located at 609 Dairy Road, Garland, Texas, in the corner suite of an L-shaped complex that parallels with Highway 66 (Avenue D going east towards Rowlett, Texas).
During the interview, Valentine shared with Garland Journal how he “appreciates the opportunity to own and operate my own business.”
“Not every Black man is afforded this chance in life,” Valentine said, “But, I did nothing special that landed me my business.”
Instead, he said that he “took the risk and stepped out on faith.”
When asked what tips he shares with young Black men who are seeking to start their own business, he encourages them to “go for it!”
Valentine believes it’s worth the effort to take a chance because in most cases, “it pays off in the long run.”
He pointed out, however, that there are challenges. “Finding good, responsible barbers has been my greatest challenge,” said Valentine, adding that he is very proud of the “great crew of talented and creative barbers that we have now.”
Meet the Staff at V’s Cuts:
IRA FULLER
Ira graduated from Texas Barber College in 2006. He has worked in DeSoto and Mesquite, but most of his career has been at V’s Cuts. Ira explained that, “the entrepreneur part of barbering” is what drew him to the profession.
JOHNNY (JAY)
Jay is a 2022 graduate of Aaction Barber College. He has practiced his craft at V’s Cuts since graduation and he “loves the creative side of the profession.” Jay is very interested in entrepreneurship.
KEN (KUTTY the BARBER)
Kutty is a graduate of Buckner Barber College. He graduated just before the pandemic (COVID-19) and has worked at V’s Cuts since graduation. With four sons, he said, “it was economical to cut hair.” Kutty practiced on family and friends for 17 years. It led to him to attain his barber license.
NIGIL (MISSISSIPPI)
Mississippi is a graduate of Texas Barber College and has cut hair at V’s Cuts his entire eight-year career. He is a “people person” and loves giving good customer service and great advice to his customers.
BRANDON PETE
Brandon is a 2014 graduate of Texas Barber College. He has cut hair at V’s Cuts for 10 years and is the longest tenured barber at the establishment (except for the owner). Brandon shared that “being a barber is a good consistent income.” He loves interacting with people and has become a generational barber, cutting both “dads and now their sons’ hair.”
BRONSHAE VALENTINE
Bronshae Valentine is the owner’s son. He is a young and inspiring 2023 graduate of Aaction Barber College. Bronshae said, “I’ve known for years that I would follow in my dad’s footsteps.”
