Marcin Masny’s zest for life is infectious.
His affinity for connecting with people is at the core of his barbering business, Cushty Cut Barber, based on Inverurie’s High Street.
You’d be hard pushed to find a barber – let alone anyone – in the north-east with as much motivation as Marcin.
Originally from Poland, he has overcome many trials and tribulations to “achieve his dream” of running his own barber shop.
Haircuts, beard trims and alternative options like face masks are all available at Cushty Cut, which is open seven days a week.
Caring at the heart of business
Marcin’s caring personality shines through all aspects of his business, especially through having a Ukrainian refugee as a staff member who reached out to him in need of work.
One thing’s for sure, it’s more than just haircuts that form the appeal of Cushty Cut Barber.
“I love building relationships with my customers,” says Marcin.
“It’s like reading a book; everyone has their own different story.
“Everything comes as a package here; from the haircuts to conversation and time spent with customers.”
Life lessons
Marcin moved to Scotland with his mum and sister back in July 2006. Settling in Aberdeen, Marcin says that life wasn’t plain sailing from the offset.
“Life was hard to begin with when we moved here,” he says.
“My mum didn’t speak much English; my sister was just very little. We were living in a council flat in an area where there was a lot of crime.”
But when he turned 16, Marcin’s visions for his career started to take shape.
“My mum was the only person in the family making money. So, when I was 16, I started looking for jobs,” he explains.
“I learned what the value of money means by earning it myself. It also showed me how good life can be if you work to support it.
“Being able to work and provide for the rest of my family became the most important thing for me.”
Barbering dreams
Marcin says that barbering was a luxury for many working-class people back home in Poland.
His mum would often cut his hair at home and Marcin also found himself keen to help out, occasionally cutting hair for his blind grandfather.
Landing his first barbering job in Aberdeen in 2010 set him on the path to prosperity.
“I started working in a barber shop on George Street called Ace of Blades,” says Marcin.
“I left after a while and ended up spending the next few years wondering where I belonged.
“But one thing I knew I missed was connecting with people. So, I came back to barbering in 2016 and haven’t looked back since.”
Creating Cushty Cut Barber
After building up his own clientele for a number of years, when the opportunity presented itself to Marcin to run his own barber shop in Inverurie, he grasped at the chance.
He received the keys for Cushty Cut Barber back in January 2020 – unfortunately just eight weeks before lockdown.
Marcin later battled with a period of depression that same year. But now, he’s in his element with his business in full swing.
“We’re open seven days a week with walk-ins only,” says Marcin.
“As well as haircuts, we do beard shaving and some face masks as well. I also offer nose waxing and eyebrow treatments.
“I like to have some different options to most traditional barbers.”
Catering to all clientele
Marcin’s spectrum of customers ranges from one-year-olds after their first haircut right up to 89-year-olds.
Being open with people is Marcin’s nature and his kindness doesn’t just stop at his customers.
“I have three members of staff with me,” says Marcin.
“One is a young apprentice from South Africa who I wanted to give the opportunity to learn new skills.
“I also currently have a Ukrainian refugee working with me too.
“I feel like some people can turn their nose up at helping others in need.
“But my grandmother was Ukrainian, so was my great-grandmother, and that made me want to help even more.”
Staying optimistic
Marcin admits that it’s still taking time to return to the rates of customers he had pre-Covid.
Yet, this hasn’t dented his optimism in the slightest.
I’m proud that I’ve managed 16 years of living in a foreign country, to build something from nothing and have my dreams fulfilled.”
He laughs about retiring at 45 years old as being a tad over-ambitious, but fulfilling his dreams is something that fills Marcin with pride every day.
“Right now, whether I have the cold, wind or snow in my face in the morning, I’m going to work with a smile on my face,” says Marcin.
“I’m proud that I’ve managed 16 years of living in a foreign country, to build something from nothing and have my dreams fulfilled.
“People have put me down in the past saying things like ‘Marcin, you’ll be nobody’. But having the support of local people here in Inverurie feels amazing.
“With work and the right mindset, you can achieve anything you want in life.”
To find out more about Marcin and Cushty Cut Barbers, visit them on Facebook.
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