Local graduate starts new business in region | News, Sports, Jobs

Immediately following his graduation from CMHS, Mills attended Keystone Barber School in Altoona where he earned a certification on July 16, 2023.

Mills’ barber school journey began when he was 16 years old. He didn’t know what he wanted to do as a career, but knew that he wanted to help others along the way.

“I found this barber on TikTok named Vic Blends and he goes around offering free haircuts while using his communication skills to inspire and motivate the world. He did all of this by using his skills as a barber and it made me believe that I could also do something like this,” said Mills.

He created his shop to be a welcoming space, including an area for customers to hang out and play chess while they wait for their haircuts.

BREANNA HANLEY/FOR THE EXPRESS
A portion of Modern Mane, LLC’s waiting area features vinyl decor, a seating area and even a gumball machine.

“Modern Mane Barber Shop, LLC is a space created for anybody to be able to come in and get haircuts and other types of hair services. As well as a place just for people to hangout, listen to music, watch sports and get together. My main goal with my shop was to give people a safe place to come and socialize while getting the opportunity to relax and receive quality hair service,” said Mills.

Located at 1003 N. Fourth Ave., Altoona, Pa., Mills offers a barbershop for all hair textures.

Through his training, Mills has gotten the opportunity to work on nearly every texture of hair. He can cut coarse, curly, thin and straight hair.

“I’m going to further my education with various courses and watching tutorials online. An important note with this is that every haircut consists of the same steps and what my education gives me is knowing when to alter a step based on a hair texture or different growth pattern,” said Mills.

Mills’ journey to where he is now was long, but he’s proud of the work he’s done up to this point and is pushing towards the future.

PHOTO PROVIDED & BREANNA HANLEY/THE EXPRESS
Modern Mane LLC, owned by CMHS graduate Kobe Mills, is pictured.

“Starting out was very hard. I started my whole journey at 18 when I signed up for barber school. Every day I questioned what I was doing. With a strong support group and my strong will, I was able to find just enough belief in myself to keep going day in and day out. When I made it through school I felt so accomplished but knew my journey was far from over. I did all I could to prepare for my two state exams and passed each one while questioning if I would pass each time. I did it. Then the next journey started. I prepared myself to run my own barber shop. I collected all items and resources needed and got to work. After a long journey with the state on getting pieces of paperwork in and designing my shop, it was time,” said Mills.

Mills is thankful for his family, friends and his teacher, Ali Steele, who stood by him and guided him along his journey.

Mills officially opened his shop following a meet and greet on Nov. 11, and has had fluctuating business since then.

“My first few days were slow, then the following days picked up and got busier. I understand this comes with opening a new business and I’m excited to see how it all grows,” said Mills.

Along with providing stylish haircuts, Mills also sells his own merch. He has T-shirts in both bleached and non-bleached styles, beanies, ball caps, sweatshirts and crewnecks.

He also holds an amount of hair care products that he can sell to his customers for them to use in their day-to-day life.

He runs special deals all the time, including lower cost haircuts for veterans on Veterans Day, $10 haircuts for Black Friday and loyalty cards where you get a free haircut after 10 prior cuts..

Mills has big plans for his business in the coming years.

“(I’m planning) on adding chairs in the next year or so, as well as a possible additional shop or two in other locations! From there I would like to someday teach and possibly open a school in a place of need! Throughout this all, I will most definitely film and publish content on social media documenting my experience and showing viewers of the world what all of these things look like in a day to day way of life, as well as use my platforms to educate and inspire our youth,” said Mills.

The Modern Mane will be open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Visit the shop’s Facebook page for more information at Modern Mane Barbershop, LLC.