MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – In just one year, Madison barber Ryan Connor has gone from launching his first shop to being named a finalist on one of the biggest stages in the barbering world.
Connor, owner of Headquarters Madison, is one of five finalists for Rookie of the Year at the CT Barber Expo—an international event that brings together thousands of barbers, brands, and educators. Held in Connecticut, the annual convention is often described as the “Grammys” of the barbering industry, featuring more than 500 vendors and over 16,000 attendees.
“When I was in college, I was cutting hair in dorm rooms and locker rooms,” Connor recalls. “That turned into working in a shop, getting licensed, building a clientele—and eventually, opening my own place.”…