For islander Tara Morgan, the idea of attending barber college had always been appealing. So when the opportunity to go to barber college presented itself in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Morgan seized on the chance.
In June 2021, Morgan graduated and passed the state barber’s exam. A month later, in July 2021, she opened C’Mon Barber on Vashon.
Now, Morgan travels across the island on her e-bike during the summers, and in her truck in the colder months, to provide mobile barber appointments to clients at their homes. The mobile model, said Morgan, works especially well for Vashon families. For instance, C’Mon Barber offers a “family trim-up,” which allows up to four haircuts in one visit.
“I don’t care who it is — sometimes it’s the neighbor, sometimes it’s grandpa who lives in the backyard cottage, sometimes it’s all four kids,” said Morgan. “I’ve become a part of people’s families, in a way.”
Morgan has also become the community barber for Vashon Cohousing, as she visits the common house every eight to ten weeks and provides appointments, as well as walk-ups as needed.
In addition to the mobile arm of the C’Mon Barber business, Morgan has also operated several pop-up events throughout the island, such as a back-to-school pop-up at Island Queen, and a First Friday haircut event at Heidi Anderson Studio Ceramics in Burton.
C’Mon Barber will expand its offerings soon, as Morgan has recently purchased a 1986 Ford Econoline van and is renovating it so she can offer facial grooming, beard and mustache design. With these types of services, said Morgan, a reclining barber chair is required — something that is not possible in a mobile or pop-up format.
“The idea of doing facial grooming for all genders and hair for all genders really speaks to me,” said Morgan. “So I want this to be a gender-inclusive environment. I’m very interested in facial grooming, and hair services for anyone that needs it.”
The van, which used to be a mechanic’s truck, required a hefty clean-up process, but not much demolition work, said Morgan. A majority of the work has been done by Morgan, with two islanders helping her with plumbing, electrical, and carpentry. Morgan also credits the help of others who have donated their time or expertise.
“I can’t say enough about the Vashon Tool Library, they’ve been instrumental in getting this thing off the ground, and Mark at Island Lumber,” said Morgan. “There’s a laundry list of people who have made it possible and it has truly been a community effort to get it up and running.”
Morgan designed the van herself, looking at other mobile service trucks for ideas, including a mobile barber truck in Wenatchee, Washington. Morgan’s truck will include books from Vashon Reads, C’Mon Barber merchandise and will also allow her the opportunity to use the tool of having a mirror while she works in the van.
The van will be semi-permanently parked at the Country Store & Farm, with June being the targeted opening date. Morgan will still offer mobile appointments with the opening of the van.
Jan Staehil, of the Country Store & Farm, said the addition of having C’Mon Barber at the Country Store & Farm will add to the customer experience at the store, especially during the summer months.
“We look forward to it,” said Staehil.
Note: C’Mon Barber was recently featured on NPR’s “My Economy.” You can listen to that interview at bit.ly/3HxjODB. To schedule an appointment at C’Mon Barber, visit www.cmonbarber.com
