What does it really mean to be a master barber? Is it just a license—or true mastery of the craft?
In this conversation, Levels Barbershop owner Kazo breaks down the reality of barber licensing in New York, the difference between skill and certification, and the journey of building a successful barbershop brand from Harlem to multiple locations.
From opening the first shop on 125th Street to expanding across NYC and beyond, this interview dives into entrepreneurship, community impact, and the unique culture that makes barbershops a central hub in Black communities.
If you’re a barber, entrepreneur, or just love authentic conversations about culture and growth—this one’s for you.
💬 Topics covered:
What a master barber license really means
Skill vs certification in barbering
Opening a barbershop in Harlem
Scaling to multiple locations
Barbershop culture & community vibes
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⏱️ Timestamps
0:00 – Introduction to barbering
0:06 – What is a master barber?
0:12 – Licensing explained in New York
0:20 – Skills required to pass the barber exam
0:37 – What the test includes (wash, facial, haircut, shave)
0:45 – Skill vs certification debate
1:09 – “Master barber” as a technical term
1:22 – License vs real experience analogy
1:32 – How Levels barbershop started
1:49 – First opportunity to open a shop
2:03 – Taking over a business location
2:28 – Inspiration behind the brand name
2:37 – Vision for multiple locations
2:48 – Opening first shop in Harlem (1996)
3:25 – Expansion across NYC
3:40 – Brooklyn, Queens & Manhattan locations
3:54 – Growth to 11 locations
4:05 – Customer loyalty & traveling for a haircut
4:29 – The barbershop experience
5:02 – Origins of barbershop culture
5:22 – Why barbershops are community hubs
5:43 – Conversations, culture & connection
🔑 Keywords
master barber meaning, what is a master barber, barber license new york, barber exam skills, barber shop business, how to open a barbershop, Harlem barbershop, barbershop culture, black barbershop talk, barber entrepreneurship, barbershop community, Levels barbershop, barber journey, scaling a business, haircut industry insights
🔥 Hashtags
#BarberLife #MasterBarber #BarbershopTalk #Harlem #Entrepreneurship #BarberBusiness #BlackCulture #BarbershopCulture #NYCBarber #SmallBusiness #LevelsBarbershop #MensGrooming #HustleAndGrow
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