If you ask the majority of upperclassmen boys on campus for a barber recommendation, they will steer you towards junior Derek Yeung. Yeung currently gives $15 haircuts to friends on occasion, but strives to grow his business into a full-time career. What started as a way to save money instead of going to a barber led to bringing in 12 to 20 clients per week.
Yeung used YouTube to learn some of the freehand techniques he utilizes when he cuts. His set of tools consists of clippers, with guards from zero-18 and a teasing comb he uses for lining up hairlines.
“I asked my barbers who cut [my hair] and asked them what [techniques] to do,” Yeung said. “[They taught] me hard techniques [such as fades and lining up hairlines] and other stuff.”
Yeung started cutting hair in Sept. 2024 and began by practicing on his close friends, in which the venture led to many mutuals of his showing interest in a less costly barber.
The main haircut Yeung specializes in is the “Blowout Taper” which is a trendy hairstyle among young boys in high schools. The cut consists of a high fade with the backside of the hair sticking longer than the rest of the hair.
“I love Derek. He’s one of my good friends and I love supporting what he does and what he’s about,” long jump teammate, junior Ethan Madarang said. “[When he cuts my hair] it feels like you’re hanging out with your friend, and you’re just talking together.”
Yeung begins his clients’ haircut experience by asking what hairstyle you want and asks about school, your sport and using his general knowledge of what he knows about you to start a conversation.
Cutting the hair for a good portion of the school is no easy task but Yeung finds the perfect balance juggling school work, long jump for the track and field team and cutting hair.
“I like his energy, and honestly, with my old barber it was awkward but with [Yeung], he is way more natural because we’re friends,” Yeung’s friend, senior Kenneth Dalan said. “I feel like compared to other barbers who charge $20 to 30 he can do just as good, if not better than [them].”
When cutting up to 20 people’s hair each week, Yeung learns more about his clients, growing closer to them and building friendships along the way. He has met many people throughout his recent journey and treats his time with the perspective of passion, not work.
“I never thought I would make so many friends in a year,” Yeung said. “When I cut hair, I get to meet some really good people and now I get to hang out with [these new friends] a lot.”
Yeung’s influence extends past the boundaries of Walnut High School students, as he cuts for students from other schools. Yeung said, “I cut mostly for Walnut [students], but I have a few [clients] from Diamond Bar and Rowland High School and it’s pretty cool getting to know [new people].”
As his journey as a barber continues to move forward, Yeung works hard to create organized schedules for his passion. In the future, he plans to continue marketing on his Instagram @dwestside_cutz and gather more clients through there.
“I feel like I’m more mature from handling a business by myself and learning how to manage my time and develop skills that will help me later on,” Yeung said.
