Kevin Slimko (Slim of Slim’s Barber Shop fame) has been cutting hair since he was 14 years old in the garage at his parents’ house in Algonquin, IL. He received a B.A. in communications from Benedictine University.

After a couple years behind a desk, he decided to follow his dream and become a barber. Living in Crystal Lake and working full time, with the closest barber college on the west side of Chicago or near Rockford, Slim decided to go to the Cosmetology and Spa Institute in McHenry at the time, which is now located in Crystal Lake. There was little doubt Slim would one day work in a barber shop.

Upon completing his schooling at Cosmetology and Spa Institute, Slim went to work for his father in law, the great Marino “Jun” Lagatuz Jr., at Model Barber Shop in Chicago. The two of them had a lot of great times together that Slim will always fondly remember. Jun was hands down the best barber Slim has ever seen. People would often be skeptical their first time in the shop when Jun would tell them that a line 6 customers deep was about a 20-25 minute wait. Within 10 minutes and 3 of the customers down (2 by Jun, 1 by Slim) the new guy would realize that Jun was nothing short of amazing in terms of quickness and skill.

Kevin also worked at a salon on Michigan Ave. for a few months while working at the barber shop. But cutting alongside Jun turned out to be great for Kevin. Slim lived above the barber shop on Irving Park Rd. so the commute was fantastic and he learned how to do great men’s haircuts of all styles.

In particular, Slim learned to do fades and flat tops that would stand up to the most discerning customers. Kevin knew that if he didn’t get great, he would starve if his cuts weren’t at least comparable to Jun’s cuts. Sadly Jun passed away in November of 2010.

Once Kevin and Michelle had their first son, they moved out to the suburbs where they could have a yard and wouldn’t have to have their house rattled every 2 minutes by passing trucks. After a couple years of trying to find local part time work to ease his commute, Kevin found a great little spot to open a barber shop in one part of a huge old green building in Crystal Lake.

Kevin still finds time to play basketball and shoot the occasional music video, but really enjoys his time at Slim’s and his time with his family and friends.

Little known facts on Kevin (aka Slim the Barber)

Slim the Barber is actually a cosmetologist. He went through 5 years with a master barber though, so if there was still a union, Slim could get a barber’s license and trade in the cosmetology license.
He learned how to use a straight edge razor on his own face.
Slim’s sneaker collection is nowhere near what it was in his high school and college days, but it’s still respectable.
Slim tells people he’s 6’6” but is actually 6’5 1/2”.
Slim’s brother is the same height and an Air Force pilot (how does he fit in those planes?).
Slim’s afraid to fly.
Slim’s sister is nurse at Rush Hospital in Chicago.
Slim’s parents were both school teachers.
Slim’s dad is in the NIU football hall of fame because he was on their 1963 national championship team.
Slim holds the Benedictine University all time 3 point field goal percentage record and the H.D. Jacobs High School single season assist record in basketball.
Slim had a Public Access TV show in Chicago called Barber Shop Hip Hop.
Slim's favorite haircut to do would be the flat top skinned on the sides.
Slim's favorite food is a tie between Georgio’s deep dish pizza, Las Cumbres tacos-fish or steak, Algonquin Sub Shop’s #1-the Al Capone sub and Johnnie’s Italian Beef.
Slim's favorite restaurant is Joe’s Stone Crab (not Joe’s Crab Shack, in case you were wondering.)