For Immediate Release

Contact: Daniel Wackershauser, Marketing Specialist
Phone: 608.822.2303
Mail: 1800 Bronson Blvd., Fennimore, WI 53809
Date of Release: July 27, 2023

Salinas making a name for himself as local barber (video)

Alumni Success Story

Platteville -

Isaac Salinas, a 2017 Cosmetology graduate from Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, is the name and face behind Isaac the Barber in Platteville, Wisconsin. The cozy barbershop occupies space at 50 North Chestnut Street. Currently, Salinas is working alone, however, he is hoping to eventually bring on additional barbers.  

Salinas grew up in Anaheim, California. He moved to Galena, Illinois in 2010. Thanks to a friend who was in the Cosmetology program and a visit to campus, Salinas’ interest was piqued. “The instructors there, they were phenomenal,” he said. “The experience was great, not just my instructors, the facility, the other staff as well, everybody was super nice and helpful.”

Barbering was an important part of Salinas’ childhood in California. “There were barbershops on just about every block, and that was something that my brother and I would always like about it,” he said. “We would go to our appointments super early. We’d get there about an hour before our scheduled time just to get that Saturday morning cartoon lineup. And, a lot of the shops that we would go to, they had free donuts, so, of course my brother and I would go and enjoy a donut, watch some cartoons and just wait. So, we sort of grew up in the barbering environment.”

Initially, Salinas enrolled in the Business Management program in 2013. He switched paths and earned his technical diploma in Cosmetology. He now owns and operates his own business and credits his initial education at Southwest Tech in helping him achieve that goal. Salinas is a member of the Southwest Tech Cosmetology Advisory Committee, as well.

Salinas enjoys the freedom of owning his own business, even if it comes with some stress.

“Lots of perks for the most part,” he said.

Salinas averages 13 haircuts each day, with each appointment scheduled for 20 minutes.

The atmosphere is laid back and friendly. “People come in a feel like they are at home,” he said.

Salinas and his wife have a six-year-old son, who regularly gets a haircut from his father. In addition, the couple has a four-year-old daughter. “She is about the only female that I cut,” laughed Salinas.

| Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, a finalist for the 2023 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, is one of 16 institutions that comprise the Wisconsin Technical College System. Southwest Tech offers more than 60 programs in a wide variety of disciplines. Courses are offered on campus, online, HyFlex and in a blended format. The college provides apprenticeship, certificate, technical diploma, and associate degree programs that respond to district workforce needs and prepare student for family-sustaining jobs and career advancement. |