By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Midtown’s newest barbershop is more than a place to get a shave and a haircut. It’s a spot where young barbers are learning to build their brand and grow their business.
Award-winning barber Rebecca Minjarez has 33 years experience in the industry, and she spent the past few years teaching the craft at Cosmetology and Spa Academy at Perryville Crossings in Rockford. Now, she’s opened her own shop at 221 Seventh St., suite A, in the city’s historic Midtown District and employs her former students.
“God let everything fall into place,” Minjarez said of hiring her former students. “I know that they’re teachable and they’re still hungry to learn. They’re very respectful young men and they’re go-getters.”
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La Jefa’s Multicultural Barbershop celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting on Tuesday afternoon. “La jefa” means “the boss” in Spanish, and its one of many titles that Minjarez wears with the people close to her.
“She plays the mom role. She plays the educator role. The psychologist role. Everything,” said Manny Salgado, president of MASA, which stands for Mexico Americanos Saliendo Adelante. “Not only is she cutting hair, she’s helping other barbers start businesses.”
Salgado’s organization named Minjarez the 2023 Latina Woman of the Year at this year’s Tamale Fest. The award, which is decided on by a committee of 14, recognized her for her work as a business leader and tireless community supporter. The mother of three and grandmother of 15 also volunteers at City First Church and previously worked at Rockford Rescue Mission.
“She takes all her students in as her own, kind of their second mother,” said Kolangi Roundtree, a 21-year-old barber at La Jefa’s and a former student. “You got to have tough love on some people. You’ve got to be soft with others. She knows how to work with everyone.”
Minjarez’s four former students working at the shop are Roundtree, Eric Perkins, Josh Milsaps and Jose Heras.
“We all actually went to school together,” Roundtree said. “I feel like with a team you need that chemistry. So we’ve got a good team chemistry.
“We’re all willing to learn from each other. There’s no animosity.”
Marquez Tatum, a barber from Milwaukee and friend of Minjarez, will also be on hand occasionally to help out. He said that sometimes shop owners don’t do a good job of helping young barbers grow, but Minjarez will help them grow as both barbers and people.
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“She’s more than just your average barber,” Tatum said. “She goes beyond the call of duty to make sure they are becoming what they are supposed to be coming in this industry because she has so much passion, not just for barbers, but she has a passion for people and to help them grow and become whatever it is that God desires.”
La Jefa’s Multicultural Barbershop cuts all types and styles of hair, and offers all barber services including old-school style hot towel shaves. Its ability to serve a diverse clientele fits well into the Midtown District, Minjarez said.
“There’s such a diverse group of people around here and I like that,” she said.
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Some of the awards she has earned include the “quickest blend” in 2022 and 2023 from the Barbers With Attitude competition in Rosemont. She was also named Battle of Central Illinois Queen Barber and the 2023 Educator of the Year at the Battle of the Champions.
“She’s a barber. She’s a woman of God. She’s a woman of integrity. She’s a giver. A helper. A friend. A sister — and I’m not cappin’ — she’s all of these things,” Tatum said.
Contact | La Jefa’s Multicultural Barbershop
Where: 221 Seventh St. suite A, Rockford
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday
Phone: 815-908-8052
On the web: Find them on Facebook HERE.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas