ClipDart reposted this
Barbers and stylists connect with us as humans, care for communities, and make us feel whole, says ClipDart founder Kyle Parker, Class of 2018. A Chicago native, Kyle started a company and a non-profit devoted to providing free, onsite haircare for historically marginalized and underserved communities, and those with restricted access to haircare. In Chicago, there were many haircare options for everyone, and a barbershop was considered a safe haven. But Kyle found that's not the case in every city. Originally aiming to provide an on-demand barber app—like Uber or DoorDash—COVID-19 halted the launch, inspiring Kyle to rethink his mission and switch to a model of finding organizations like colleges, hospitals, or senior homes that have a lot of people in need, rather than just going to a single consumer with an app. “I didn’t know anything about the hair industry or about business, but I was passionate about my idea, and I took a business class on entrepreneurship. I applied to the Ain Center’s student incubator through NextCorps and got it." Kyle's business started in Arizona and has expanded to 26 states with over 100 partners. Last May, ClipDart came to our campus to provide haircuts to graduating seniors in Wilson Commons and it was a hit! Kyle's vision is truly a cut above. ✂️ Find the full story from Rochester Review magazine at https://uofr.us/3M51iHq
Connect to Career and Technical Education Framework and Programs in the Rochester Public Schools and you will really make a difference!!! And why are you not working with Career and Technical Education instructors in Rochester Schools to start these programs in cosmetology and partnering with STEM teachers to teach chemistry, Regents level in an articulated course with pathways to an associates degree and/or for-profit technical school leading to licensure and dual credit.......which I proposed at the School of Education, almost ten years ago at an alumni function when Rochester administrators was considering to expand CTE again after they abandoned the national programs around 2009. Then you can feed into the Univ. of Rochester Hair equity program at the children's hospitalg Incidentally, Wilson Commons is always a great place where things are happening since it's inception as promised by Ieoh- Ming -Pei design.
Thank you so much for sharing our story & supporting our mission! We're deeply grateful for the chance to connect with Kyle Parker’s alma mater & spread the word about ClipDart. Your support helps us make a real difference, and we can't wait to return for Mel Weekend! 😄✂️💙
Great feature! Although I’ve been writing fiction, I’m currently working on a book derived from interviews with people who have made successful, rewarding careers in the service industry and trades. Their insights are sure to inspire more such businesses!
Great ideas…Get the clippers out boys!
Inspiring!
Developing Innovative Strategies to Enrich One's Wellness | ClipDart Founder/CEO
1moAs a proud University of Rochester alum, I’m deeply grateful for your incredible support in sharing ClipDart’s mission. It’s an honor to have your backing and it means the world to us. We’re excited for what’s ahead and can’t wait to be back on campus for Mel Weekend 🙌🏾