21-Year-Old CVTC Grad Opens Barbershop On Barstow Street
'a little push' from her parents and one degree later, Brecken Anderson is a brick-and-mortar business owner
Chippewa Valley Technical College |
As high school graduation neared for Brecken Anderson in 2022, she was laissez-faire about her future.
While many of her classmates were finalizing college plans, Anderson was unsure whether she wanted to continue school at all. “I didn’t want to choose at 18 what I was going to do for the rest of my life,” Brecken said.
That’s when Anderson's mother, who worked in student services at Eau Claire North High School, stepped in. She saw her daughter struggling to decide on a path, so she made a bold move. She signed Brecken up for Chippewa Valley Technical College’s (CVTC) cosmetology program.
At first, Brecken was not thrilled.
“I never got into nails. I couldn't braid. I don't like touching people,” she said with a laugh. “So, when she signed me up for it, I really didn't think I would like it at all. But I went through with it and ended up really liking it.”
Brecken joined the program in January 2024 and gave the program a real chance. That decision changed everything.
She graduated from CVTC’s cosmetology program in December 2024 and discovered a passion for barbering along the way. While she enjoyed the hands-on learning and supportive instructors at the local tech school, it took time to figure out exactly where she fit in the field.
By the end of the program, Brecken determined that men’s hair – barbering – was her niche.
Brecken had already been cutting hair in her garage outside of class, building experience and confidence. Soon after, she connected with a local barber who gave her an opportunity right away. Despite warnings from others not to focus on men’s hair, or to simply rent a chair while early in her career, Brecken trusted her instincts.
That confidence eventually led her to open Brecx Barbershop in December on Eau Claire's Barstow Street at the age of 21.
When a retail space became available – formerly occupied by retail shop Raggedy Man, which has since closed – Anderson saw an opportunity and took it. Her mom once again encouraged her to go for it. Her dad helped make the dream real.
Brecken’s dad spent weekends helping transform the space by handling plumbing, lights and other building projects so her dream could become a reality. She also leaned into her creativity, furnishing the shop with thrifted, antique and Facebook Marketplace finds that gave it a distinctive style.
A sort of moody man-cave-meets-automobile theme, the aesthetic is fun, comfortable and interesting – right down to the Rolling Stone magazine pages-turned-flooring in the wash area.
Now, the Eau Claire native has built more than a business. She has built a future on her own terms with a little push from her mom, a lot of help from her dad and the skills she found through the local cosmetology program.
This article was originally published by Chippewa Valley Technical College this spring and has been edited for publication in Volume One. Learn more about Brecx Barbershop (215 N. Barstow St., Eau Claire) by calling the shop at (715) 864-7188 or viewing its Instagram page (@brecxbarbershop).
