OUR TEAM

Hey, I’m Kara—owner and barber behind Truth & Triumph Barber, located inside IMAGE Studios in Grand Rapids, Michigan (2516 Burton St SE, Suite 118). I’ve been doing hair since 2012. My journey started in cosmetology, but within a year I found my way into barbering—and that’s where I stayed. Along the way, I’ve shared that passion with others, working as an educator at Semion Academy and sharing technical tips as a Beauty Guru for Salon Centric. I opened my own suite because I couldn’t find a shop in Grand Rapids that lined up with how I like to work. A lot of shops are all about speed, some lean super traditional, and others make you feel like you’re just there to get sold product. None of that ever felt right to me. I wanted something more intentional. I run my space with honesty, purpose, and a real attention to detail—keeping things relaxed, but never careless. To me, barbering should feel human again: an actual conversation, a moment to slow down, and a service built around the person in the chair, not an assembly-line. When you’re in my chair, you get my full attention. There’s time for a real consultation—not just "what are we doing?" followed by clippers switching on five seconds later. I can deliver a clean, precision fade all day, but I also love working with longer, textured, and lived-in styles that move naturally. Whether your hair is curly, coarse, fine, or anything in between, I approach every texture with confidence. I also have a serious soft spot for beards. There’s a distinct nuance to a great beard, and nothing looks better than one that’s properly sculpted and groomed (I’ve informally crowned myself the "Beard Queen of Grand Rapids"—still waiting for the title catch on). When I’m not behind the chair, I’m usually at home hanging out with my three cats (Winnie, Nora, and Beep), hunting for vintage finds while antiquing, or getting my hands dirty in the garden. At the end of the day, I’m a barber—and a damn good one. Not a haircut factory, not a salesperson. Just someone who takes the craft seriously and genuinely cares about how you feel when you walk out the door. If that sounds like your speed, I’d love to welcome you to my chair.