Old Skool Barber Shop: Crafting Legacy Through Resilience

Photo Credits – Old Skool Barbershop – Yreka CA

OPEN MONDAY, TUESDAY, THURSDAY, & FRIDAY 9AM – 5PM
Serving WALK-INS – In the near future we will be open more days! 

Sometimes life’s greatest callings emerge from its darkest challenges. For Jamie Borjon, owner of Old Skool Barber Shop in Yreka, the path to becoming one of the region’s most respected barbers began with the devastating 2008 housing market crash. His thriving mobile ready-mix concrete business, with its steady backlog of jobs, crumbled alongside the housing market, forcing him to reimagine his future entirely.

Armed with a job training grant, Borjon made the bold decision to enroll in barber school in Ukiah. For a former business owner in his 40s, returning to school proved both humbling and inspiring. After graduating and gaining experience at Cottonwood Barber Shop, he opened the first Old Skool Barber Shop in Redding in 2015, later expanding to Mt. Shasta in 2019.

When COVID-19 forced both shops to close in 2020, Borjon’s resilient spirit prevailed. The challenges kept mounting, but so did his determination. By 2022, he had reopened in Yreka while maintaining his loyal Redding clientele through an exhausting daily commute. The long hours on the road tested his resolve, but his unwavering commitment to his craft and clients drove him forward. Eventually, recognizing the toll the commute was taking on his family life, he made the strategic decision to consolidate his business entirely in Yreka, transforming his two-chair shop into a beacon of traditional barbering and mentorship.

Today, that spirit of perseverance shapes the next generation through his apprenticeship program. Ruben Ducoing, who attends state board school in Woodland, is completing a one-year apprenticeship under Borjon’s guidance, learning not just the craft of cutting hair but the value of hard work and community service.

At Old Skool, Ruben Ducoing’s apprenticeship goes beyond just perfecting his cuts. He’s building a strong social media presence that showcases his growing portfolio while learning essential business and marketing skills from Borjon. His online platforms demonstrate both his developing talent with clippers and his grasp of modern business promotion – blending traditional barbering with contemporary entrepreneurship.

During the McKinney Fire, Borjon demonstrated this service-first mindset, providing 28 haircuts to firefighters in just three hours. For six years, he’s maintained special relationships with emergency services, regularly visiting fire stations to serve those who serve our community. “They request it, and I’m proud to give that personal touch,” he says with quiet pride.

His commitment to paying it forward recently extended to sending his apprentice to provide free cuts at the Lower Greenhorn resource fair. For Borjon, who has a disabled daughter, the flexibility of owning his shop has proven invaluable. “This profession lets me provide for my family while being there when they need me most,” he reflects.

The personal connections forged in his chair run deep. “You build real relationships with people,” Borjon says, his voice softening. “The hardest thing is when a customer passes. These aren’t just clients – they’re family.”

This journey from concrete to clippers has built something far more valuable than his previous career ever offered. “I love what I’m doing,” he shares. “I make my own hours, I’m there for my family, and I serve my community every day. No regrets at all.”

Find Old Skool Barber Shop in the mini mall across from KFC in Yreka – just look for the sandwich board. Stop by for more than just a haircut; experience a piece of craftsmanship born from resilience and sustained by dedication to family, community, and the timeless art of barbering.

OPEN MONDAY, TUESDAY, THURSDAY, & FRIDAY
9AM – 5PM

Serving WALK-INS

1288 S Main St , Yreka, CA, United States, California
(530) 227-7278

FB: Old Skool Barbershop -Yreka
IG: Transformedbarber

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