Meet Katie Poli

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Poli. 

Hi Katie, 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 backstories with our readers?
I got to go to hair school while I was going to high school. At first, honestly it was just so I could get out of high school earlier. I didn’t know what I wanted to do after high school but I knew I wanted something artistic in my life. I didn’t feel like I had a lot of time to figure things out I messed around a lot during school I didn’t take it seriously at all because to me there was no challenge and I refused to be molded into “a product of my environment” and just pay bills and die. Little did I know I think god lead me where I needed to be. I went through a lot as a kid and grew up faster than I should of… Art let me express stuff I couldn’t really talk about and working with people in every stage of their life and being not just their barber but someone who could listen has taught me a lot about myself and people in general. I love my job and I found a place where my boss and I are on the same page with a lot of similar history and passion for what we do. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all a smooth road. I was raised by a single mother; my grandma took my sister away so I was alone with my mom who I later figured out was bipolar. We moved a lot we fought a lot and I’ve witness my mom go through many mood swings suicide attempts etc. A lot of weight was put on my shoulders as I was the one to deal/watch out for my mom. My mom’s last threat to me before my grandma let me move in was that she was going to drive us both into the river in the winter of my sophomore year. I finished my last 2 yrs. of high school at my grandma’s then she kicked me out 2 weeks after I graduated. I moved in with my mom for a short period of time and she tried to kill herself… I then got my entire family to get her help and I was pretty much homeless for a while till I got my life in order. I started working in salons then switched to barbering. I guess with the way I grew up I never really understood self-respect and self-love. I found myself being in abusive relationships because I didn’t know any better. I’m a single mom now and it took having my son to truly know what love is. I work my butt off to provide for my son and I’m now relearning and growing into the best version I can be for my son so he knows what real love is. And I intend to help others see their own light and find their own power. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a barber and specialize in bald fades. I love seeing people come in who haven’t really shown themselves any care and transforming their look for them. I get to transform not only their look but how they feel about themselves. With everything I’ve been through in my life I sometimes just know what to say to people going through tough times. Seeing people’s weight off their back being lifted by just some kind words a listening ear and some TLC is what it’s all about. 

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Barbershops were shut down and it made realize how much I love my job. It gave us all time to reflect and make changes we needed to. I learned that no matter what tries to break the human spirit the ones who stay true to themselves can come back stronger than before. That even if things are hard at the moment nothing stays the same forever. This has divided a lot of people but at the same time, it’s made everyone think more, care more and be grateful for today. And to stand up for themselves and others. 

Pricing:

• $31 haircuts
• $40 haircut and beard shave
• Awesome barber priceless

Contact Info:

• Website: Limitlessbarbershop.com
• Instagram: @katiee_barberr