The Barber Mafia barbershop in Lovell, Wyoming

Kurt Wheeler, originally from Laurel, Montana, has long ties to Lovell through frequent visits to his grandparents and other relatives growing up. His early passions included martial arts, herbology, and outdoor adventures like hiking, camping, and rock climbing. As a teenager, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and mentored other youth in the scouting program. After high school, Kurt served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, returning to Laurel where he worked various jobs before enrolling at the Academy of Hair, Skin, and Nails in Billings. He completed 1,500 hours of study and practice, graduating as a Barber Stylist in 2011—the same year he married his wife, Tammy. In November 2012, Kurt moved to Lovell to take over the historic barbershop, established in 1901, with a colorful past including visits from 1930s outlaws like Machine Gun Kelly and Pretty Boy Floyd. For over a decade, he ran Kurt's Cuts as the sole barber, building the business from the ground up with Tammy handling finances and bookkeeping. When Jacob Newman joined in 2024, the shop evolved into The Barber Mafia, honoring its outlaw legacy while embracing timeless grooming, modern styles, and a warm family atmosphere. At his core, Kurt is driven by family, faith, and a genuine commitment to serving the community—one haircut and one connection at a time.

Welcome to the Family

Originally from Star Valley, Wyoming, Jacob Newman has deep roots in the Cowboy State. He moved to Lovell in 2012, graduated from Lovell High School in 2016, and served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (2017–2019) in Barbados. Back home, Jacob earned a chemistry degree and attended the University of Wyoming before heading to barber school in Logan, Utah, in 2022. That move changed his life: he met Tandy, and they married in 2023. In 2024, the couple returned to Lovell, and Jacob partnered with Kurt Wheeler to rebrand the beloved historic barbershop—established in 1901 and known for its colorful 1930s outlaw stories—as The Barber Mafia. The rebrand nods to that outlaw history while embracing timeless grooming, modern trends, and a welcoming family atmosphere. Now with 4 years of barbering under his belt, Jacob combines precision cuts, beard work, and straight-razor shaves with his unique chemistry expertise to develop high-quality, all-natural, American-made hair and grooming products. At his core, Jacob is driven by love for his family, unwavering faith, and a genuine passion for making people's lives better—one haircut, one product, one community act at a time.

Welcome to the Family