Dean Lauer

Dean Lauer, a Youngstown native born on March 27, 1999, developed an interest in barbering during his junior year at Cardinal Mooney High School. Initially considering a college baseball career, he shifted his focus after becoming engrossed in hair-cutting videos online. This led him to enroll at Beyond Expectations Barber College in Akron in May 2017, following his high school graduation. During his time at the college, Lauer’s dedication to the profession grew significantly, extending beyond technical skills to include a strong emphasis on community involvement and relationship building. He commuted from Youngstown for the majority of his program, demonstrating early commitment to his chosen field. He graduated in June 2018 as the 62nd graduate of the school.

At the age of 19, Lauer achieved a significant milestone by opening his own barbershop, Blis Barber Company, in Tallmadge, Ohio, at 85 Midway Plaza. The former barbershop space required minimal renovations. Lauer chose Tallmadge over Youngstown due to perceived better opportunities. His mission for Blis was to create a welcoming environment for all clients and to actively contribute to the community. Alongside running his business, Lauer began teaching twice a week at Beyond Expectations Barber College, becoming the youngest student to transition into an instructor role at the institution. His business expanded to include two other employees, offering various services such as haircuts, straight-razor shaves, beard trims, facials, black masks, and eyebrow treatments.

Beyond his local barbershop and educational commitments, Lauer has established a significant presence in the digital sphere as “Deano the Barber.” He has amassed over 1 million followers on TikTok and over 410,000 followers on Instagram, where he shares styling techniques, insights into his daily life, and grooming advice. This online reach has led to brand partnerships, notably with the UK-based haircare brand Slick Gorilla, for whom he promotes products through his social media channels. Lauer’s future goals include establishing his own barber college in Youngstown, further solidifying his commitment to education and community development within the barbering industry. He also plans to organize free haircutting events and support the Tallmadge community.