In 2012, Brandy Chu realized some of her male clients were going to a barbershop to get a fade haircut and then making an appointment at the salon she worked to get a scissor cut.

“They would get really good fades in the barbershop, but then come to me and book another haircut to get the scissor work on top, because most barbers weren't well-versed in scissor cuts for longer hair,” Chu said.

This gap in service inspired Chu to open Cutthroat Barbers in 2013, a barbershop that Chu said doesn’t play into the stereotype that barbershops are for men and salons are for women.

The context

Chu describes the business's growth as very organic. Originally, it was designed to be a pop-up shop inside a men's clothing store on Washington Avenue, but Chu agreed to a physical storefront when the lease next door became available.

Before officially opening that first location, Chu said she traveled around the world to study other upscale barbershops. She found inspiration for Cutthroat Barbers from establishments such as Fellow Barber, Blind Barber and Frank’s Chop Shop in New York, as well as Figaro’s Barbershop in Lisbon, Portugal.

While Chu had a clear vision of the concept of the barbershop and the services provided, she said researching and planning new storefronts in advance was never a priority.

“It was just a feeling, like this feels right ... and I know that's actually what's made us successful, you know, is not doing all the research,” Chu said. “I feel like that just causes problems and makes you second-guess yourself.”

Cutthroat Barbers has three locations in Houston, including one in the Heights, Montrose and along Washington Avenue.

Something to note

Chu said the shop doesn’t charge for haircuts based on race or gender but on short or long hair.

Instead of identifying as a men’s barber shop or a salon that caters to a specific demographic, Chu said it was important to hire professionals who can service a diverse clientele.

“We can do all different types of hair textures on all genders,” Chu said. “If you work for Cutthroat, you have to be able to do all haircuts."

The impact

Additionally, Chu said she wanted to create a more professional career path for barbers by offering benefits such as health insurance, short-term disability and profit sharing.

She said she doesn’t know any other barbershops in the Houston area offering the same benefits and that Cutthroat Barbers maintains a high retention rate, as more barbers look for professionalism and structure.

“I look at it as more of a path to growing your family, if you want to have a family, and just being like an actual career instead of just like a side job,” Chu said.

• 244 W. 19th St., Houston
• www.cutthroatbarbers.com