Thor O'Connor

Thor's story

I was always told to go to college, and for a while I thought I was going to end up in sports psychology. By my junior year I was burned out, dealing with some mental health stuff, and knew I needed to make a change. At the time I was working for a small creamery in Utah, and I realized I really liked a lot of things about that kind of work. It was a small business, I had some flexibility, and I got to work with my hands. So I started looking for a career that had more of that.

That is when I came across barbering. The more I read about it, the more it made sense. Working with your hands, building relationships with people, having some control over your schedule, and eventually having the opportunity to own your own shop.

Learning the trade

I talked to my barber at the time and he pointed me toward The Barber School in Midvale, Utah. That is where I really started learning the trade. After school I worked at W&M Barber Co. in Springville, Utah. The owners there helped me sharpen my skills and taught me a lot about the kind of barber I wanted to be.

Coming to Pea Ridge

Eventually I moved back to Arkansas and met Gordon Sandberg, who had been cutting hair in Pea Ridge for a long time. I had the opportunity to buy the business and make the shop my own.

A big reason I wanted my own place was because there are fewer and fewer shops that still care about traditional barbering. Hot towels. Straight razor shaves. Taking your time. Good customer service. Actually getting to know the people sitting in your chair. That is the kind of shop I wanted to build.

I never really pictured myself ending up in Pea Ridge, but I have loved being here. Getting to know people in town and building relationships here has probably been one of the best parts of it. I plan on being around for a while, and I am excited to keep building something good here in Pea Ridge.