In less than a month, College of Fine Arts freshman Emma Alden figured out how to earn some extra cash without leaving her bedroom in Shelton Hall. Scissors, razors and buzzers are all Alden needed to start her own dorm-style barbershop.
Alden said she has been cutting hair since her freshman or sophomore year of high school.
“My dad got some pretty bad cuts in barbershops, so I told him I could do it for $10,” she said.
On Sunday night, Alden shaved College of Communication sophomore Bryan Sih’s head in her room as 15 of his friends watched. Sih, who promised to shave his head after raising $5,00 for the American Cancer Society, said he lives on the same floor as Alden. He first learned of Alden’s services at the first floor meeting.
“We had to say our name and something interesting about ourselves, and Emma’s interesting thing was that she gives haircuts,” Sih said.
Sih is Alden’s second customer of the year, she said. At least 10 more students have requested her cuts, which are offered at a starting price of $5.
“Price is definitely a huge factor,” said Alessandra Goodfriend, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences. “I also like supporting student, independent business and the ‘DIY’ culture.”
Goodfriend said she learned of Alden’s haircutting through a friend who lives on her floor. The price tag on one of Alden’s haircuts can’t be beat, she said, especially when some salons, such as Stilisti on Newbury Street, charge as much as $150.
“I think $5 is an appropriate value to charge,” Goodfriend said. “At home my mom used to cut my hair. I’ve only been to a salon three times in my life.”
Alden provides all her own styling tools, including professional hair scissors, a straight razor and a buzzer with all the necessary attachments, she said. She is completely self-taught, though she usually cuts someone’s hair using a photograph of the hairstyle the customer wants as a reference.
Despite her lack of professional experience, her customers said they are satisfied with their results.
“I will definitely go to her instead of a salon,” Goodfriend said. “I was very happy with the way my hair turned out, and no one has guessed that I didn’t get it done in a salon.”
Some students, such as College of Communication freshman Alex Yedid, said that they wouldn’t take Alden up on her offer.
“I wouldn’t let [a BU student] cut my hair because my Jew ‘fro needs professional attention,” Yedid said.
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