By Anelis Torres-Alfinez ‘24
Angel Colon Jr, a Conestoga Valley graduate, is tall with green eyes and has a sharp hairline. As he puts the cape on his client, he gets ready to give out another “Angel Special.”
Angel Colon did not always dream about barbering. “My dream job growing up is I wanted to be an NBA player,” Colon said. His parents supported that dream by paying for him to get basketball lessons.
After dedicating his life to basketball, Colon decided that he no longer wanted to be an NBA player. “The day after I quit basketball back in tenth grade,” Colon said. “That’s when I knew I wanted to be a barber.”
Even though Colon has decided to barber full time, he still finds time for basketball. He has joined different leagues since he graduated in 2023, and Colon is now a rec basketball coach for CV. He will always make time for basketball after a long day of cutting hair.
Champ’s Barber School was where Colon could be found when he was first starting out. His uncle Champ owns the school and lended him a hand. Colon explains, “Myself alongside four other barbers from different places in Lancaster helped me become a barber and taught me.”
He often went around downtown and the hallways in school advertising himself. He was grateful to those who gave him a chance. He even went around family gatherings telling his extended family about his barbering, hoping they would also give him a chance.
“I used to walk around downtown during slow business hours handing out cards,” Colon explained. “As well as at a lot of family gatherings I go to.”
Through lots of practicing, Colon was able to pass his first barber test. It is a very hard test, and he tried his best till he passed it. Now he has one more test to complete that he is currently practicing for. .
His future plans are to get his own barber shop when he is old enough. He has thought about setting up in Lancaster city or in a more suburban area. Right now, he is focusing on building his clientele and becoming better with every haircut.
Colon is working in a barber shop in Millersville. He walks around the college advertising himself to the students who are walking past.
A piece of advice Colon would give those that are still figuring it out is “Gamble on yourself. That’s what I did at 16.” He was not sure if barbering would work out for him, but he gave it his all. Now he loves what he does for others. He makes people feel more confident in their looks.
Another day with a satisfied client. Angel Colon Jr. strives to continue to build his clientele and become better everyday. He works alongside one of the best barbers in Lancaster, dreaming to be just as good as him.