Correspondent photo / Maurita Hoffman Brian Ferguson, right, poses with Jakier Smith, 5, during a haircut. Ferguson, a self-described “big kid,” enjoys talking with children who come into his shop.

AUSTINTOWN — Brian Ferguson is a self-described “big kid.” This is obvious when listening to him talk with children while he styles their hair. When 5-year-old Jakier Smith sat in the barber chair, he noted Ferguson is bald, and asked him why. Ferguson laughingly asked Smith if he thought that Ferguson’s hair flew away one day while riding his bike. Jakier stared and then laughed and said, “No way.”

Ferguson, 47, from Youngstown, lives with his wife, April, and sons, Jacob and Brian Jr. After graduating from Chaney High School in 1997, Feguson attended the Akron Barber College for the 1800-hour program, which took approximately 11 months to complete. After passing the written and practical exams in Columbus, he received his barber license. Ferguson opened his first shop on Hazelwood Avenue in Youngstown in 1998. He moved to his current location, 10 Lexington Place, almost eight years ago.

Ferguson’s shop, the Mahoning Avenue Barber Shop, has won The Vindicator’s Readers’ Choice Gold Award in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Ferguson said that winning the awards for three years “has been a great honor — and announcement of the awards each year has brought in more business.”

Ferguson said he likes being a barber and enjoys the camaraderie that develops between him and his customers.

He said, with kids, “I chat with them before I start cutting; ask about school, sports, etc.”

He said having conversations with children breaks the ice and helps them to relax. Sometimes, he shows the kids the fish tank in the shop to loosen them up. He added that once the child relaxes, there are a lot of jokes and banter; then that he has them sit in the chair for their haircut.

“I get as much out of the conversations as the kids do,” he said. “I feel that when I am talking to a child, I am talking to an angel.”

He added, “they’re little kids, they haven’t done anything wrong.” Ferguson again acknowledged, “I’m just a big kid,” said he has been able to have a good relationship with the children because he takes the time to talk with them, “to put them at ease.” He noted he understood that kids are nervous “so I am patient and show them I am not going to hurt them.”

This attitude toward children is extended to all who enter the shop and has been helpful for children in the autism community.

“About 13 years ago, I was asked by customer Kevin Stefko if I could cut his son’s hair,” Ferguson said.

According to Ferguson, Stefko’s son, who has autism, did not want to come in for a cut, so Ferguson went to the house to cut the child’s hair. He said he understands that some children with autism do not like to be in social situations and “is happy to help by making a house call.”

Ferguson’s big kid personality, banter and good nature are shared with all his customers, not just the children. Describing the people who frequent his shop, he said, “They are not just customers, they are friends.”

Along with his joking and easy smiles, Ferguson is committed to doing what he feels is the right thing, taking care of his customers, being a friend to children and doing what he can to help his friends when they need him.

“If a customer needs me to come to his home for a haircut, I will do that,” he repeated.

He explained that many of the people who enter his shop have been coming to him for years and are more than just business acquaintances.

“We listen to each other and learn about each other and so we do for our friends,” Ferguson said. “Most of my clients are adults, but we style hair for many kids, too.” His interaction with his clientele is easy and speaks of long-time friendships.

Ferguson said as a kid he would get haircuts from Luca DeMettio, a long-time barber in downtown Youngstown. He credited DeMettio with inspiring him to become a barber. By loaning books, offering advice and encouragement to young people interested in becoming a barber, Ferguson has paid this encouragement forward to help others.

Today, there are three barbers at the Mahoning Avenue Barber Shop: Ferguson, his son, Jacob, and Matthew Ruble. Having Jacob, 28, join him in the shop “is very nice,” according to Ferguson. “It’s a thrill having your son working next to you.”

Before leaving the shop after Jakier’s hair styling was finished, he and Ferguson talked about the plastic animals displayed on the counter. Jakier said the animals’ names and Ferguson praised him for remembering them all from previous visits. Another instance of Ferguson taking the time to get to know his customers and enjoy their company.