After 1 year, Elevate Barbershop still rising

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This article was published 25/03/2025 (366 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Elevate Barbershop has grown in one year from a three-person operation into a thriving business with a team of six — and is poised to add a seventh member by summer.

Located at 755 17th St., the barbershop has quickly become a staple in Brandon, embodying the name “Elevate” by lifting both its clients and its business to new heights, co-owner Taher Banuga told the Sun.

Before launching Elevate Barbershop, Banuga honed his craft at Esquire Barbershop for six years then moved to Union Barbershop on 10th Street. During this time, he and his business partner, Chantelle Banman, began discussing the idea of opening their shop.

“We met at Esquire, and about a year or two later, when new ownership took over, I decided to move on. But the idea of having our place kept coming up,” Banuga explained. “Eventually, Chantelle joined me, and together we made Elevate a reality.”

The transformation of the shop was a deliberate process. Banuga and his team took over their current location in January 2024 and spent three months renovating before officially opening their doors on March 19.

“We remodelled everything from top to bottom,” he said. “We had a contractor working on the space while we were still at our previous jobs. By the time we opened, everything was ready to go.”

Banuga’s passion for barbering began in an unexpected place. He previously worked in the oil field and railway industry before discovering his love for cutting hair.

“I started cutting hair for family, friends and co-workers, and I realized I enjoyed it,” he said. “In 2016, I decided to take it seriously. I went to the Canadian School of Barbering in Edmonton and later completed a hairstyling program in Brandon to get my Red Seal certification. From that point on, I knew I wanted to have my shop.”

The name Elevate Barbershop reflects Banuga’s vision of making clients feel their best, drawing from his appreciation for art, tattoos, and fashion — all elements that blend seamlessly into barbering culture.

“I always loved the atmosphere of a barbershop. A good haircut makes you feel confident, almost like therapy,” he said. “That’s why we chose the name ‘Elevate’ — because you walk out feeling better.”

The journey was not without challenges. The extensive renovations early last year required walls coming down and the space redesigned to reflect their vision.

The shop’s success is attributed to its unique business structure. Unlike traditional barbershops where clients are assigned randomly, Elevate’s barbers operate with their own clientele. Each professional has built a loyal following over the years, ensuring personalized service. The shop also accommodates walk-ins and phone appointments through an online booking system.

Looking ahead, Elevate Barbershop plans to expand its team to a full seven barbers in the summer and continue refining its services.

“The goal has always been to create a space where both clients and barbers can thrive,” Banuga said. “It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come in just one year.”

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