Today we’d like to introduce you to Anakaren.
Hi Anakaren, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Name is Anakaren medina but my clients know me by Lady Barber KC and this is my story
I’ve dreamed of owning a salon for as long as I can remember. My passion for hair started when I was a little girl. My mom learned how to create beautiful hairstyles, and every time she worked on my hair, I was right beside her doing the same on my Barbie dolls. Those moments sparked a love for the beauty industry that never left me.
When I was about 9 or 10 years old, I began helping my aunt in her home salon. I would hand her tools, clean up, and watch her interact with her clients. Seeing her own a business inspired me. I loved the idea of building relationships with clients, creating a welcoming space, and being my own boss.
When I moved to the United States at 11 years old, I held onto that dream. After graduating from high school, I became a young mother. I wanted to attend cosmetology school, but the cost was more than I could afford. I even enrolled at Johnson County Community College for a while, but eventually I had to put my dream on hold.
Everything changed in 2012 when I received DACA. For the first time, I felt like I could truly pursue the future I had always imagined. I decided I was finally going to chase my dream of becoming a hairstylist and eventually opening my own salon. But life had other plans. I suffered a miscarriage, and once again I had to put everything on hold while I healed.
A few years later, I looked into another cosmetology school, but the tuition was nearly $28,000+. I remember thinking my dream was over. Then, at the end of 2015 I came across a social media post about a brand-new cosmetology school. I immediately called to schedule a tour. The moment I walked in, I knew it was where I belonged. The environment was welcoming, the instructors were amazing, and I enrolled that same year. I graduated from Creative Images School of Cosmetology in 2017.
After graduating, I worked in different salons to gain experience while continuing to dream of owning my own business. Around that time, I encouraged my brother to attend beauty school so we could one day work together. Instead, he chose barbering and suggested that if we were going to own a shop together, I should learn men’s haircuts too.
The very next day, I enrolled in barber school. I had just welcomed my second child, and as soon as I was able, I returned to school to learn barbering. I graduated from Headlines Barber Academy in 2018. Learning barbering completely changed my perspective. It gave me the confidence to serve both women and men, making me a more versatile professional.
In 2018, my brother and I decided it was time to open our own shop. Starting a business wasn’t easy. As first-time business owners, finding a location was one of our biggest challenges. Then one day, while driving through Shawnee, Kansas, I saw the perfect building. I called my brother and my parents, and together we met with the property owners. We signed the lease in April 2019.
We poured our hearts into building our dream. We completed much of the work ourselves, painting, remodeling, and preparing the space. In October 2019, we proudly opened Exquisite Cutz KC.
Owning a business with my brother has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. He’s not only my business partner but also one of my biggest supporters. My parents have also been instrumental in our journey, helping us every step of the way. I truly couldn’t have done it without them.
One of the greatest blessings in my life has been my parents. They taught me that dreams don’t come easy as you have to work for them. They raised me to believe that nothing is handed to you, and that hard work, perseverance, and faith are the keys to achieving your goals. Whenever life knocked me down, they reminded me to keep going and never give up.
Just a few months after opening, COVID-19 changed everything. Like so many small businesses, we faced uncertainty and difficult times, but we kept pushing forward. Those challenges made us stronger.
The hardest chapter of my life came later during my divorce. I fought to protect everything I had worked so hard to build. There were moments when I questioned whether I could keep going, but I refused to give up.
Looking back, every setback taught me resilience. Every obstacle made me stronger. My journey has never been easy, but it has always been worth it.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: don’t give up on your dreams. Life will bring storms that may delay your journey, but they don’t have to define your future. Keep believing in yourself, work hard, trust God’s timing, and never let anyone convince you that your dreams are impossible. Sometimes the greatest blessings come after the hardest seasons.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of my biggest challenges was finding a way to afford cosmetology school while raising a family. There were moments when I thought my dream was over, especially after experiencing a miscarriage and having to put everything on hold to heal.
Opening our business came with its own challenges. As first-time business owners, my family and I worked tirelessly to build our shop, doing much of the remodeling ourselves. Just a few months after opening, COVID-19 hit, and like many small businesses, we had to fight to keep our doors open.
One of the hardest chapters of my life came during my divorce in December 20, 2024. I was not only fighting to protect the business my brother, parents and I had worked so hard to build, but I was also raising my two children and trying to keep the business running at the same time. There were days when I felt emotionally, mentally, and financially exhausted, but giving up was never an option because my children were depending on me.
Looking back, every challenge made me stronger. They taught me resilience, faith, and perseverance. Today, I can honestly say that every obstacle was part of the journey that shaped me into the business owner, mother, and woman I am today
Those lessons have shaped the person and business owner I am today. Every challenge I’ve faced has reinforced what they taught me: success isn’t about never falling—it’s about getting back up, working hard, and believing that your dreams are worth fighting for.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I Lady Barber KC specialize in men’s, women’s, and children’s haircuts, but my greatest passion is helping people feel confident when they leave my chair. A haircut or color is more than just a service—it’s an experience. I want every client to feel welcomed, listened to, and valued.
I’m especially known for my fade work and attention to detail. At Exquisite Cutz KC, we’ve created a modern barbershop that combines today’s styles with the traditional barbershop experience, offering services like hot towel treatments and straight razor shaves. We believe every client deserves quality service and a relaxing experience.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the relationships I’ve built over the years. Some of my clients have been with me since I was a student in cosmetology and barber school. I’ve watched families grow, cut multiple generations of the same family, celebrated milestones with my clients, and built friendships that go far beyond the barber chair. That trust means everything to me.
What sets me apart is that I genuinely care about every person who sits in my chair. I take the time to listen, understand what they’re looking for, and make sure they leave feeling like the best version of themselves. I also bring a unique perspective by being both a licensed cosmetologist and barber, allowing me to work confidently with all hair types, styles, and clients of every age.
More than anything, I’m proud that my brother and I built our business from the ground up. We’ve created a place where people feel at home, and knowing our clients continue to choose us year after year is the greatest accomplishment we could ask for.
We are truly thankful for each client, mentors, teachers that we had throughout the years.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I’ve lived in the Kansas City area for about 24 years, and it’s truly become home. One of the things I love most is the sense of community. People are welcoming, supportive, and genuinely care about local businesses, which has meant so much throughout my journey as a business owner.
Shawnee holds a special place in my heart. It’s a beautiful city with wonderful parks, local businesses, and family-friendly events throughout the year that bring the community together. I love seeing families out enjoying everything the city has to offer, and it’s one of the reasons we chose to open our business here.
If I had to choose something I like the least, it would definitely be the long, cold winters! But they also make me appreciate the beautiful spring, summer, and fall seasons even more. Overall, I feel grateful to live and own a business in such a supportive community, and I’m proud to call Shawnee home.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://book.thecut.co/LADYBARBERKC
- Instagram: Ak262kc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1EsZVj7GsK/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/share/19DVP5VAw4/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
Photo courtesy of Anakaren medina
Photo of me and my kids courtesy of Jose medina
Photo of Exquisite Cutz KC shop courtesy of Jose medina
Photo of me as a child
courtesy of my parents Juany and Octavio.
