A cut above the rest: Finesse Cutz gives back to the community

COLLINSVILLE - Finesse Cutz is about more than just getting a haircut. It’s about the people who walk through the door and the community they serve. 

Austin Sotelo, a small-town local, grew up wishing his community had a barbershop closer to home. For years he had to make long drives into bigger cities to get a haircut because there weren’t any local barbers for men around. 

With a handful of hair salons in the area, Sotelo wanted to open a space where men could feel welcome, connected and more catered to. 

Four years ago, he opened Finesse Cutz, a barbershop off of Highway 377 built for the community he cares deeply about.

It’s not just the fresh cuts that make the barbershop so special: it’s the customers. 

Sotelo and his team enjoy getting to see customers grow and evolve, watching their individual stories as they unfold one visit at a time. 

The barbershop provides a front-row seat as children and customers grow into adulthood. 

Staff help boost people’s confidence, prepare them for important moments and help them look their best before meeting their future partners and as they step into new chapters of life. 

Building relationships, sharing conversations and being part of someone’s life through all of the changes is where the heart of Finesse Cutz rests. 

Making an impact on the community has always been a goal of Sotelo’s. During the first year of Finesse Cutz being open, Sotelo coordinated with Collinsville ISD to help give back to the community by helping students get ready to go back to school with free haircuts and school supplies. 

Getting prepared to start the school year can be expensive for parents and guardians. Sotelo is happy to offer families one less thing to worry about and help students start the school year with confidence. 

Sotelo cares deeply about giving back to the community that he grew up in. Finesse Cutz has become his way of doing just that, with even more plans in the works to help out.

Helping clients look their best, getting to watch them mature, seeing them experience new journeys in life and being part of those everyday transitions is one of the most meaningful parts of the job. 

At Finesse Cutz, the haircut is just the beginning. It’s a front-row seat to the milestones and everyday moments of the community. 

The real heart of the barbershop is being part of each person’s journey.