Soul of 78: Travis Hill
Barber, Old School Barbershop
Words Micah Harrison | Image by Justin Hunter
Travis Hill's journey from the tranquil ambiance of his barbershop in The Cigar Box in downtown Jasper to the disciplined life of the United States Army is a testament to the unpredictable turns life can take when one is tuned to a higher calling.
For years, Travis's mantra was simple: "I just cut hair and smoke for a living." However, as 2024 dawns, he finds himself at the cusp of a transformative career shift, humorously noting, "Now I'm going to learn to run in a circle and get screamed at for a living."
Travis's path to this moment began amidst the plans and dreams of his high school years when he felt a divine nudge towards the barber's trade. This calling, received during a period of contemplation and self-inquiry, led him to pursue barber school at Bevill State Community College in Sumiton.
In the fall of 2019, as Travis returned home from the Tutweiler community after securing an antique barber's chair for his barbering business, he received a call from Shawn Doss, owner of The Cigar Box. That conversation serendipitously opened the door to Travis setting up his barbershop within the store.
"I told him, ‘I got a chair on the truck right now," Travis says. "Five minutes later, I pulled into that alley, and I've been here ever since."
The four years spent shaping hairstyles and fostering community within the walls of The Cigar Box were marked by personal milestones and spiritual affirmations for Travis. Notably, his relationship with one Anna, whom he met through the shop, flourished into a marriage that Travis regards as a clear affirmation of his faith in divine guidance.
Yet, the call to service persisted, leading Travis toward a decision that would redefine his trajectory. Despite the fulfillment found in his career and personal life, Travis felt a compelling draw towards the military a pull he could not ignore.
As Travis embarks on this new chapter in Watertown, New York, his journey underscores the profound impact of faith and obedience in navigating life's uncertainties. Whether behind the barber's chair or in military training, Travis Hill's story is a powerful reminder of the courage it takes to embrace change, the strength found in conviction, and the unexpected ways in which life can unfold when one is open to the possibilities that lie in faith-driven obedience. 78