Brian Hickey
Owner
I was born in Tucson, Arizona in 1982, my parents moved us to Oregon when I was 4 years old. I was mostly raised in Oregon however, I relocated to Tucson for my senior year of high school, where I graduated at Santa Rita, in the class of 2000. During my childhood it was a very rare occasion for me to visit the barbershop, but I always loved the sights, smells, and nostalgic feel the old barbershops my dad took me to had to offer. My dad was actually quite good at cutting hair himself, even though he didn’t go to school for it. My dad was drafted into the Vietnam War and served as an Army Ranger combat tracker. During his time in Vietnam, he cut the hair of his fellow soldiers.
Reflecting on my childhood he mostly cut my hair growing up. Sometimes my dad couldn’t cut my hair exactly how I wanted, so by the age of 14 I mixed what he taught me with my own creativity and style. By the time I turned 17 years old, I became pretty good at cutting hair, as well at basketball. I played varsity basketball in high school at South Medford Oregon, as well as Santa Rita High school in Tucson, Arizona. I also worked for Lute Olson as a camp counselor at the University of Arizona basketball camp in 1998-99. I’ve always loved being a part of team and furthermore, being a leader.
Looking back I wouldn’t be a Barber without sports, the reason I say that is because I ended up being the barber for a lot of my basketball teammates. Instead of going to the barbershop and spending 15$-20$ on a haircut, they would let me do it for 5$ in my parents garage. In hindsight it helped us all to have money to take our girlfriends to the movies or out to eat. After high school i attended Phagan’s college of beauty in Grants Pass, Oregon. I Graduated Barber school in 2003. In 2011, I moved from Oregon, to Arizona, where I attended G’s barber college in Tucson, and I became a licensed Barber in Arizona. The same day I received my license to practice tonsorial arts in Arizona, i was immediately hired at Gene’s Haircutter’s, a traditional mens barbershop in Northeast Tucson.
The owner of the shop at that time was Gene Collins, who had owned this barbershop for 35 years previously. Gene Collins barbered for 50 years, and is now a retired master barber. After I worked for Gene for 2 years he retired. Thankfully instead of closing his doors to his faithful patron, he decided to sell me the shop in 2013. As the proud second owner of this shop, I am extremely excited about my opportunity to carry on the the practices of what a traditional barbershop provides. Gene’s barbershop is a place where men can go to feel free, to laugh talk amongst each other, a place where men can be men, and get the look and services they desire at the same time. If you are looking for a Barber who can provide the absolute highest quality Barber services a Barber can provide I am your guy.
Come see why this shop has been here for over 41 years, and still counting. I love God, my family, Tucson, the people in this community, I also enjoy servicing this great city. My interests include being with my family, spending time with my son’s, traveling, history, hiking, or exercising at the gym, I love sports especially the Arizona Wildcats, Phoenix Suns basketball, Arizona Wildcats, Arizona Cardinals football, Arizona Diamondbacks, baseball. I work well with appointments or walk-ins ins, whatever is convenient for you.We look forward for the opportunity to earn your business, for your convenience book an appointment with us today with a Barber or stylist of your choice. Gene’s is dually licensed for barbering and cosmetology to satisfy all of customers with the best services at the best prices available. THANK YOU FOR MAKING Gene’s Barbershop Est.1975 your barbershop.
