When the novel coronavirus first started and forced barber shops to close, Izzy Falk and his brother needed haircuts. So, they decided to find their own solution. 

“We got clippers, started giving each other haircuts and never looked back,” Falk said.  

While stay-at-home orders devastated many businesses, the orders also marked the start of Falk’s entrepreneurial journey, as he turned to cutting hair out of necessity, eventually leading to the creation of his hair cutting business, Izzy Cuts.

Falk, a junior majoring in finance at this university, shifts from student to barber on Thursday evenings. 

Falk operates Izzy Cuts from his off-campus apartment porch in the College Park Towers building on Hartwick Road.. 

Falk estimates that he has around 40 to 45 regular clients. On a typical Thursday, around eight or nine fellow students sign up for a haircut through his spreadsheet that he circulates via social media.

Nathan Weider, a junior finance major, started going to Izzy Cuts after his friends recommended it.  

“I heard about it from some friends and everyone said he does great cuts, so I decided to try him out for myself,” Weider said.

Weider says he loves his experience because Falk offers a quality and convenient haircut that is inexpensive.

“Izzy’s Cuts are the best cuts. I always love the way that they look,” Weider said. “I can sign up in advance and then just come and not have to wait a long time.” 

Falk initially started by cutting his brother and father’s hair. As people began noticing their fresh cuts, while barber shops remained closed, his clientele quickly grew. 

“With anything of quality, people come to notice,” Falk said. “So, my brother is walking around with a great cut, my dad’s walking around with a great cut. You obviously can’t go to a barbershop. So where are you getting that? And I think people really came to notice.” 

His business quickly expanded, attracting neighbors and friends who came over for haircuts.  

When Falk began his freshman year at this university, he saw the perfect opportunity for his business. 

“Just had a bunch of kids who needed haircuts,” Falk said. “They heard that there’s another kid around that gives great haircuts.” 

Falk began giving haircuts outside Worcester Hall, his dormitory that year, on Friday mornings. 

After moving to his off-campus apartment last school year, Falk began giving haircuts on his porch. He originally continued giving haircuts on Friday mornings but has since shifted to Thursday evenings to fit his internship schedule.  

In college, he knew he wanted to grow his hair cutting business, both because he enjoys it and for the business experience.  

“It’s something I enjoy because I get my friends to come out,” Falk said. “I appreciate the social interaction it gives me.”

He also saw it as a practical way to make money while gaining entrepreneurial experience. 

“I felt this was a great way to sort of make a little spending money and have a little business of my own while I’m here in college,” Falk said.

Isaac Berkower, a sophomore computer science major, used Izzy Cuts for the first time this semester. He tried a nearby professional barber shop, but was unsatisfied with the long wait times and high price.

“It was really good. I really loved Izzy’s haircut and he did a great job and I’m definitely going to go back there,” Berkower said.