In a profession built on trust and conversation, Timothy “Bana” Starks has built more than just a barbershop. At Awsum Barber Services, located within the Salon Lofts in Valparaiso, Indiana, Starks has created a community hub where skill with clippers meets heartfelt mentorship, serving a diverse clientele in Northwest Indiana.
“For the past three years, I was working and managing a barbershop that kept changing how they ran the business,” Starks said in an interview with the Indiana Minority Business Magazine. “I built a nice clientele within and always wanted to go into business myself.”
Operating as an independent entrepreneur under the name “Bana the Barber,” Starks brings seasoned expertise to every cut and shave. His business is built on two pillars: technical mastery and personal connection. The barbershop offers a comprehensive range of classic and contemporary grooming services, including precise fades, beard trims, and traditional haircuts, all in a modern and welcoming environment.
For Starks, the chair is more than just a grooming tool; it’s a point of connection. He is known for fostering an atmosphere where clients feel comfortable engaging in meaningful dialogue. This focus on relationship-building has transformed his service from a simple transaction into a valued community institution, where people come not only to look their best but to be heard and uplifted.
As a Black-owned small business, Awsum Barbershop embodies the entrepreneurial spirit that strengthens local economies. Starks’s journey as an independent business owner within the SalonLofts model highlights a path of self-determination and professional dedication. His success is measured not just in client loyalty but in the positive space he cultivates daily.
The shop serves as a subtle yet powerful example of how minority-owned businesses act as foundational pillars in their cities, offering essential services while creating inclusive gathering places. In Valparaiso, Awsum Barbershop stands out as a destination where quality craftsmanship and community care are expertly blended, one cut at a time.
Awsum Barber Services is located at 1150 Cumberland Crossing Drive in Valparaiso. The business operated Monday-Saturday and is closed on Sundays. For booking and price guides, click here.
Contact Multi-Media Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846 or email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. If you would like your business highlighted in the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.
