He’s been cutting hair since 1960, and Leroy Tucker can tell you exactly why some barber shops disappear while others become landmarks. We talk with Leroy about how a plan to become a veterinarian turned into a lifelong career in barbering, and what it really takes to stay in business for 60 plus years in Midwest City.

We get specific about craft: how listening to a client changes everything, why time in the chair matters, and what separates a good barber from a great barber. Leroy shares memories from professional training and traveling symposiums, including straight razor technique and the enduring influence of the Roffler name. If you care about precision haircuts, clipper over comb, shear over comb, and the fundamentals behind a clean outline, you’ll hear how mastery is built one appointment at a time.

We also dig into the industry side of the trade. Leroy explains his decades of service examining barbers for licensure, the role of national meetings in barber education, and why health and safety standards are part of protecting the profession. He walks us through the tough merger between barber and cosmetology boards, what it changed, and where he thinks trends are heading next, including whether the flat top ever fully returns.

If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe for more stories from people who’ve built real local businesses, share the episode with someone who loves a great haircut, and leave a review so more listeners can find us. What’s the best haircut you’ve ever had, and why?