Barber Buzz, Unlimited Cutz
By MIA ROTELL AND MARCUS WALKER
Off the 91 Freeway in Corona, tucked away behind a 7-Eleven convenience store, lies a shopping center that may seem unassuming at first glance. It’s home, however, to a community staple — Unlimited Cutz.
“I started cutting a lot of my clients’ hair when they were (young), and now they’re all in their 20s and 30s,” Tunk Stillwell, owner of Unlimited Cutz, said. “It’s a community where we grow together, and it’s more than a business — (we’re) like a family.”
Stillwell got his start at a barbershop in 2001 and opened Unlimited Cutz in 2010. He has been cultivating his passion for barbering since he was a teenager.
When he opened Unlimited Cutz, Stillwell said he wanted to create more than just a barbershop.
“I wanted to build a place where people from all walks of life could come together, feel welcomed and leave with confidence,” he said.
Pictures of Stillwell’s work were featured on the hit TV show “Shark Tank,” where his friend Noel Durity pitched the Twist It Up Comb, a styling tool Durity designed for textured hair.
“I was actually the first to use it in my shop to see if it worked,” Stillwell said. Pictures of Stillwell’s barberist artistry using the comb were featured alongside the product display on the hit show, receiving strong support from billionaire Mark Cuban.
The comb is meant to replace a hair pick and create defined curls for people with afro-textured hair and has grown into a $10 million business.
The people who have walked through Unlimited Cutz’s doors range from parents bringing in their children to young adults and even professional athletes and musicians.
“We’ve had Jalen Clark from the Minnesota (Timberwolves), Chauncey Washington from the Cowboys,” Stillwell said. “(We’ve had rappers too, like) Menace and Mac Lucci.”
Stillwell said his success has come almost entirely through word of mouth. Satisfied clients spread his name throughout the community, helping him attract new customers and sustain his business.
“It’s just a dope barbershop,” Stillwell said.
Looking ahead, Stillwell said he hopes to open additional locations, but his ultimate goal is to one day open a barber school.
“(I want to) provide (opportunities for) and help kids learn how to make money as a barber,” he said.
Stillwell is currently offering a back-to-school special, with services for high school and college students $5 off. Follow @unlimitedcutzbarbershop on Instagram to see his work or call (909) 953-6340 for questions or to book an appointment.
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