Today we’d like to introduce you to Casie Murff.
Casie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Casie Murff, Master Barber and Owner of The BeVel Barber Lounge.
I am a friend, brother, son, father, husband, mentor, artist, entrepreneur—and most importantly, a man of God.
For 20 years, I worked in corporate America as an IT professional for several high-profile companies. By the world’s standards, I was “successful,” but I never felt fulfilled. Deep down, I knew God had a greater purpose for my life—and I wasn’t going to find it working to build someone else’s vision.
In 2017, after years of chasing a lifestyle that looked good on paper but left me empty, I decided to bet on myself. I leaned on the gifts God had already given me—the hands of an artist, a creative eye, and the ability to learn and perfect a skill through discipline.
My journey with barbering began at 14, when my father told me I’d have to start paying for my own haircuts. At first, I didn’t understand, but now I see it was one of the greatest blessings. With $20 clippers from Walmart, I learned how to cut my own hair by trial and error. Before long, my friends and kids from the neighborhood were lining up in my basement for cuts. Even then, I didn’t fully realize I was laying the foundation for a future business.
Fast forward to 2017: after years of side hustles, multiple degrees, and cutting hair in kitchens and basements, I knew it was time to fully walk in the purpose God had for me. I became a licensed barber through apprenticeship and began to truly envision what my own shop could be.
Along the way, God placed mentors in my life who pushed me to think bigger. They taught me about leadership, asset building, and setting standards. They helped me see more in myself than I saw at the time. That guidance shaped the culture and atmosphere I wanted for my shop—a place built not just for profit, but for excellence, mentorship, and community impact.
Then came 2020. The pandemic shut down shops across the nation, and our industry was labeled “non-essential.” It forced me to ask: What now? Will there even be a future for the vision God gave me? But as every entrepreneur knows, challenges breed creativity. I used that time to focus on personal growth, sharpen my skills, and refine the vision for what would eventually become The BeVel.
In 2021, I opened my first shop—The BeVel Barber Studio, located at 39th and Main inside the Monarch Lofts building. Some might ask why I didn’t just open a full-scale shop right away, but I didn’t trust where the economy was heading at that time. I chose to play it safe, start small, and plan to scale bigger later. I didn’t want to be in a position where another shutdown would not only affect me but also a team I was responsible for. While working there, I never stopped dreaming about where God was taking me. I stayed in the planning phase for the bigger vision, creating and preparing until I found the right space and opportunity to grow.
After navigating the wins and losses of commercial real estate, dealing with unreliable contractors, and riding the emotional roller coaster of entrepreneurship (shoutout to Darren Hardy), we reached today: the grand opening of our new location at 43rd and Troost. This space represents the next step in our scaling efforts. Designed by Michele Bogle of MB Design Studio, the Troost location carries over the same style and aesthetics as our Main Street shop—but on a larger scale.
This new location has allowed me to hire and mentor barbers and nail technicians, and to partner with other businesses and brands. It would not have been possible without the assistance of organizations like Porter House KC, Prospect Business Association, and GIFT KC (where we were awarded a $25,000 grant through a pitch competition). This location now serves as the footprint for future expansions, built on a vision of upscale service and a team-first culture.
Our long-term goal is to scale The BeVel into a one-stop grooming destination where clients can have all of their grooming needs met—from premium haircuts and beard care to manicures, pedicures, facials, massage therapy, and more.
Today, The BeVel Barber Lounge is more than a barbershop, it’s a movement. It’s about grooming with excellence, building confidence, mentoring the next generation, and creating opportunities that stretch far beyond the chair. Partnering with top local brands like Equal Minded Cafe, Black Excellence, Vine Street Brewery, KIN Seltzer, Yahyah Liqueur, Command Cigars, Cire Transportation, Kansas City Fashion Week and community organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kansas City, The Soul of Santa, I AM Foundation, BLOC and The Manheim Neighborhood Association and Porter House of Kansas City.
And this is just the beginning.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Well, if you plan on being an entrepreneur, you can never expect a smooth road. Thinking otherwise is a false sense of reality. I’ve dealt with people who claimed to have my best interests but didn’t, lost money to bad contractors, the uncertainty of paying bills, gone into debt, and had more than a few sleepless nights.
But even with the weight that comes with being a business owner, there’s also joy, fulfillment, and purpose. With a strong support system, faith, and belief in God’s plan, you can also experience self-worth, servant leadership, financial freedom, more control over your time, the satisfaction of helping others succeed, the building of generational wealth, and most importantly—the testimony that can inspire the next person trying to figure things out.
What helped me push through was choosing gratitude. I stayed thankful for how far God had already brought me—just because I had the courage to bet on myself and align with His purpose for my life. Too many people focus only on chasing money. I focus on financial freedom—and those are two very different things. I tell anyone pursuing success: don’t chase money or the shallow things the world values. Focus on walking in purpose and the things that truly matter. When you do that, everything you desire will become a byproduct.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The BeVel Barber Lounge?
Established in February 2021 the BeVel Barber Lounge has become Kansas City’s premier exclusive barbershop. The name, “BeVel” is derived from its true definition, the edge, or the sharpest part of a blade. A sharp blade is what gives the client the perfect cuts. And it’s not just about the sharpness of a blade but staying sharp in character, mind, body and spirit. Which are the essential ingredients for any entrepreneur. The BeVel offers its clients an upscale location for a person’s professional grooming and style needs. The shop gives a professional the atmosphere to tackle their daily tasks while also giving them the vibe to relax and unwind. The goal is to build the foundation of this business in Kansas City to phase into duplicating its unique atmosphere across the country with multiple locations. The BeVel isn’t just a Barbershop…this Exclusive Experience, is a Lifestyle!
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5–10 years, I see the grooming and barbering industry evolving into a more experience-driven, technology-integrated, and wellness-focused space. Clients are no longer just looking for a haircut—they want a full grooming experience that blends style, self-care, and convenience.
Technology will continue to shape the industry, with apps, memberships, and digital engagement becoming standard. At the same time, there’s a growing demand for upscale, wellness-centered services, from facials and scalp treatments to manicures, pedicures, and even massage therapy. Barbershops will become lifestyle destinations rather than just places for a trim.
For The BeVel, this future aligns perfectly with our vision. We are building more than a barbershop, we’re creating a movement that goes beyond the chair, combining premium grooming with mentorship, entrepreneurship, and community impact. As the industry grows, we plan to scale our model into multiple locations that offer a one-stop, luxury grooming experience while also serving as hubs for education, leadership, and generational wealth-building.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thebevelkc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebevelkc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBeVelBarberStudio
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-bevel-barber-studio/?viewAsMember=true
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ShearConversations-ci5uq
Image Credits
Photos by Mickel Garret and Damon Smith
