Barber Tech Academy - Cola

Great being in attendance at the National Association of Barber Boards of America conference in North Charleston, South Carolina. Always a valuable opportunity to connect with leaders in the barbering industry, share ideas, and continue learning so we can better serve our students and the profession. Grateful to be part of the conversation.

I just want to thank everyone who has commented, reacted, shared, and purchased a copy of Never Giving Up. The support truly means a lot to me, and I appreciate every one of you who has taken the time to encourage this journey.

I’ll place the link in the comments for those who asked about the book.

Author & Founder Leonard D. Pelzer Releases New Book

Leonard D. Pelzer, founder of Barber Tech Academy, has released his memoir Never Giving Up: From Prison to Purpose – How I Built a Million-Dollar Brand.

The book shares his personal journey from early setbacks to rebuilding his life and establishing Barber Tech Academy, now serving students across multiple campuses in South Carolina.

More than a business story, Never Giving Up highlights perseverance, accountability, second chances, and the principles that continue to shape the culture of Barber Tech Academy today.

The book is available on Amazon.

At Barber Tech Academy we teach more than haircutting — we teach perseverance, discipline, and believing in your future even when your past says otherwise.

Many students have asked where that mindset comes from.

On March 1, Leonard Pelzer’s book Never Giving Up releases. It shares the personal journey behind the lessons, mentorship, and encouragement our students hear every day in the classroom and on the clinic floor.

If you’ve ever been part of the Barber Tech family, we invite you to support and read the story.

Link in comments.

This is my cash ledger from 1995 — over 30 years ago.

This was before the ceremonies… before the graduation pictures… before the school even existed. There was no scheduling software, no POS system, and nobody waiting to tell me I had made it — just a chair, a pair of clippers, and the responsibility to figure it out.

These pages tracked every haircut I did in the early years after I was already a licensed barber.

Some days were busy. Some days weren’t. But every day I showed up. Because once you get a license, the real question begins:

can you build something with it?

This week I watched our graduates walk across the floor and receive theirs. Families were proud, pictures were taken, and it was a great moment.

But what I kept thinking about was this…

They are standing exactly where I once stood — at the beginning.

A license doesn’t give you a career.
It gives you an opportunity.

What makes the difference is consistency — showing up when it’s slow, learning when it’s hard, and not quitting when it gets uncertain.

Looking at this old book reminded me that every professional you see today was once the person leaving school wondering if it was going to work out.

I’m proud of every graduate. You finished something important. Now the real journey starts.

And for those who have asked about my story… there’s much more behind these pages. I’ll be sharing it very soon.

This is what it’s all about.

Not just haircuts… not just a certificate…
but people walking into a new direction in life.

Every one of these graduates has a different story, but they all made the same decision — to learn a skill and bet on themselves.

Columbia, we are proud to serve this community.

The next class is forming now.

Apply today:
https://barbertechacademy.com/app-page/

A graduate never walks alone.

Family support, hard work, and determination all came together tonight. Proud moment for everyone involved.

Want your family celebrating you next?

Apply now → www.BarberTechAcademy.com
✂️

Another proud moment at Barber Tech Academy.

This is why we do it — watching students walk across the stage and step into a new chapter of life.

Hard work, long days, and commitment paid off.
We are proud of you and excited for what’s ahead.

Ready to start your journey?

Now enrolling — Columbia Campus
https://barbertechacademy.com/app-page/

Tonight we celebrate graduate Randy Reeves.

What people see is a certificate…
but what it really represents is commitment, discipline, and learning a skill that can provide for a lifetime.

Randy stayed consistent and finished what he started, and now he steps into the profession as a barber.

I’m proud of you, Randy. Welcome to the industry — now go build your future. ✂️

If you’ve been thinking about changing your path, learning a trade, or starting a career with real opportunity…

Your time could be next.
Apply now and take the first step.

👉 Apply here: www.BarberTechAcademy.com

Another proud moment at Barber Tech Academy.

This is why we do it — watching students walk across the stage and step into a new chapter of life.

Hard work, long days, and commitment paid off.
We are proud of you and excited for what’s ahead.

Ready to start your journey?

Now enrolling — Columbia Campus
https://barbertechacademy.com/app-page/