Name: Corey McDonald
Barbershop: Mac’s Barbershop
Location: Canonsburg, PA
Corey’s Story
Corey McDonald is 29 years old and has been a licensed professional barber for six years in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His journey began when he realized what some would say is a natural gift for making others happy. Corey found that easy to do through shears and clippers. He hasn’t worked a day in his life since he turned his hobby and passion into his career.
Corey went from restaurant cooking and roofing jobs to owning his barbershop in Pittsburg, known as Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. Long story short, as soon as Corey grabbed a pair of shears and clippers, he couldn’t put them down. Corey was cutting in houses of friends for free when his barber in Youngstown, Ohio “Jeff Gadison” shared his story with Corey. Corey knew what he had to do after that; Corey didn’t tell anyone besides the people closest to him. Finally, he sacrificed everything, and Corey moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to go to barber school.
Corey completed school and landed a great job where he learned how to navigate the hair world and understand clientele and business. Slowly, the people he was meeting became more like family, and before you know it, he knew he was never going to look back. Although owning his place was never in the plan, it seemed to be a destiny, and all the hard work and hours paid off.
At Corey’s first barbershop, he met a man named Marc Sovik, who works for Hanzo; that’s when He learned the utter importance of shears and the quality of great shears and what they offer. But, at this point, Corey didn’t understand how important it was. Corey was self-taught to this point, and Marc convinced Corey that furthering education in this game is the most important, to use creativity to keep up with the times and how to sell yourself for being you.
Since then, Corey has been honored to hold classes for Hanzo at his shop and spread the teachings and importance of education and quality tools to complete the job at hand at a faster rate. Corey is so very excited to see what the future holds for the hair industry as a whole. Corey says, “It’s constantly changing, and I’m so glad I’ve been able to be a part of it.”
Inspired by Corey’s craft? Next, check out Miguel’s Story in our Stylist Spotlight – Miguel, where he shares his precision techniques and creative approach with Hattori Hanzo Shears.
GET TO KNOW COREY
What is your least favorite service to do?
I love all of them because I love to learn but if I had to choose, face shave…
What was the scariest thing about starting on the floor at a salon or barbershop after graduating school?
Messing someone up and not being able to fix it and not knowing how to do a lot of things!
What is a hair tip that you can share with our readers?
Always be there to learn more and don’t put your time over your clients, you will learn as you go, you can’t learn if your not there
Who inspired you to get into hair?
My old barber in Youngstown Ohio (great story behind it )
What is your favorite technique to do?
I love doing layered haircuts
Who inspires you?
My son and Myself
Favorite platform HairSylist?
My Favorite Stylist was Hillbilly the barber but now since his passing, Trevor Moots!
What is your favorite movie?
Harry Potter
Favorite Ice cream flavor?
Sherbet
One thing people wouldn’t guess about you?
I am a major Harry Potter nerd and need in general!
The most exciting thing you’ve ever done?
When I opened up my shop and had my son.
Favorite vacation?
Harry Potter World at Universal
If you were on an island and could only bring 3 things, what would you bring?
My Son/A big supply of food/My Girlfriend
If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
I would love to have the superpower of flying
If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?
“No body cares-work harder”
Who would you most like to share a cup of coffee or tea with? (Alive or dead.
Fictional or historical.)
Denzel Washington
