Young barbers overcome adversity to open 2 new barber shops in Bemidji (2024)

BEMIDJI — Two young barbers who have overcome significant adversity are bringing the local barber shop scene back to life.

It’s been about three years since Bemidji had an old-fashioned barber shop. Sure there are plenty of hair salons in town, but after Michael Flaherty of Fade Masters died in 2020 and Ted LaFriniere of Headquarters Barbershop died in 2021, there were no barber shops. By comparison, Bemidji had 12 barber shops listed in the 1964 city directory.

That changed this year when Mandez Ransom, 33, realized a long-time dream in March by starting the Icuttz Barber Lounge in the former Headquarters location at 216 Minnesota Ave. NW. Eric Bower, 36, followed suit this summer when he opened The Gentleman’s Barber Shop at 1510 Bemidji Ave. N.

Mandez Ransom was a senior at Minneapolis North High School when he cut hair for the first time. His family was having a cookout, and a cousin didn’t have money for a haircut.

“So I told him we had some little clippers upstairs, and I could try to do something,” Ransom recalled. “From the moment I had the clippers in my hand I just felt like I knew what I was doing. It turned out good, actually. And from that moment I kind of knew that I wanted to be a barber, for sure.”

Mandez was the middle child of a family being raised by a single mother in a tough neighborhood.

“My biological dad wasn’t around, so it was just my mom and the three of us,” Ransom shared. “My older brother liked to be outside, running around with his friends. So it was just me and my sister at home a lot. So I had to learn how to cook, and kind of just step up and be a father figure to her.”

During his high school years, Ransom took part in a construction program and spent summers working in that field. But he knew that wasn’t a career path for him. He wanted to be a barber.

“I remember a senior essay I had to write,” Ransom said. “Basically you had to write about your plans for the next step after high school. I wrote that I wanted to go to barber school, I wanted to get my license, go work in a shop and eventually open my own shop. My goal was always to have a shop open before I turned 35.”

Dennis Doeden / Bemidji Pioneer

He worked construction for a couple of years, did some babysitting and sold cell phones, trying to put away enough money to attend barber school. His mom remarried, and his new stepfather gave him the funds he needed to enroll at Moler Barber School in northeast Minneapolis.

After graduating in 2013, Ransom worked at several barber shops in the Minneapolis area. He developed a loyal clientele, and at one point started cutting hair in his garage. But that goal of owning his own shop remained, and it finally came to fruition this year.

Ransom met his fiance, Kaylee Brunelle, in the Twin Cities. She grew up in Cass Lake, and wanted to move back to this area. Ransom wasn’t sure about making the move up north.

“I figured it's just another smaller town,” he said, “but I didn't realize the demand that Bemidji had for barbers. I think my favorite part about cutting in Bemidji is the diversity. I've met people from all over the world.”

Icuttz Barber Lounge is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Eric Bower wasn’t sure what he wanted to do after serving six-plus years in federal prison for selling drugs. But he knew he had to turn his life around.

“I have a buddy who has a drywall company, so he gave me a job right away when I got out,” Bower said. “He kind of helped me adapt to the world.”

After five years of drywall work, Bower decided to pursue a different career path.

“I saw all my friends who were in drywall, their backs hurt and everybody was going to a chiropractor,” he said. “Another had to wear a back brace. Another can’t play golf anymore. Another has to sleep on a Lazy Boy.”

Dennis Doeden / Bemidji Pioneer

So Bower decided to go to barber school.

“I had been saving money from drywall work,” he said. “I believe the best barber in the Upper Midwest area is Brendan LaFrance. He owns Dakota Barber Academy and Tailor Made Barber Shop (in Fargo, N.D.).”

He enrolled at Dakota Barber Academy and nine months later was a licensed barber. After working at a shop in Detroit Lakes for six months, he opened his first shop in Mahnomen near his home in May 2023, and this year opened a second location in Bemidji.

LaFrance said he was impressed with Bower’s determination.

“All credit goes to Eric,” LaFrance said. “He drove to Fargo every day from White Earth, through the winter and everything to get to school. Most days he was the first one there. He really pushed himself to get out there and open up not one but two businesses since he’s been out of school. I share Eric’s story a lot when I’m talking to people about just what you can do with your life.”

Bower splits his time between the Mahnomen and Bemidji shops. In Bemidji, he’s open Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays. Appointments can be made online at the-gentlemans-barber.com.

“I like the old-fashioned barber shop,” Bower said. “The Bemidji community has been very welcoming.”

LaFrance added, “Eric is very friendly and a very funny guy. He’s got the ability to joke with everybody. That goes a long way in this business. Building up that personal rapport is a huge thing in this business.”