BVA grad takes short cut to new career

By TAYLOR BROWN

tbrown@yourmvi.com

Jared Hartman always appreciated a fresh haircut, but never thought he would end up being the barber.

Hartman, a Fayette City resident, could be considered a professional multi-tasker. Right now, he proudly displays the title of licensed barber at Main Street Barber in Monongahela on his new business cards. 

Shop owner Gavin Varley took Hartman under his wing last year — after a little persuading. 

Hartman graduated from Belle Vernon Area High School this year after a tumultuous ending to his academic career due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a junior, he was still trying to figure out what his future held when he got injured during a football game.

“Gavin has cut my hair for the last four years and while I was hurt I was kind of sitting at home bored when I saw he was looking to hire someone at the shop,” he said. “Even when I would go to get my hair cut he would talk about it with me, but I usually shrugged it off.”

Eventually, what Hartman thought were casual conversations led to his now career.

“I wanted to work, and one day I eventually said ‘OK, I’ll come work for you,’” he said. “I had never cut hair before in my life.” 

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