Nine23: A Fresh Cut and a Fresh Start for Young Entrepreneur in Kahoka
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By Emily Bontrager
Another young entrepreneur has stepped onto the scene in Kahoka, bringing a new business to the north side of the square. At just 24 years old, Conner Mack has opened his very own barber shop, Nine23, offering haircuts and shaves.
Conner, who grew up in Clark County, has taken a unique path to becoming a barber. After graduating from Clark County R-1 High School in 2020, he went on to John Wood Community College in Quincy to study electrical work. He realized that the electrician’s trade wasn’t the right fit for him, and his mother had previously suggested he become a barber.
“I didn’t listen to her idea the first time,” Conner recalled. “I’ve always been an artsy kind of guy and it’s kind of like an art.”
Intrigued by the idea, Conner enrolled in barber school at Luxx Beauty & Barber Institute in Columbia, MO. At first, the thought of cutting hair was intimidating.
“I was super nervous when I first started,” he admitted. “But after cutting a few people’s hair, it wasn’t as bad as I thought.”
The more he practiced, the more comfortable he became. After graduating from barber school in June of this year, Conner began to set up a business in his hometown. The building was purchased in February 2025, and he and his family remodeled it to get it ready for opening.
“It’s a good spot and there is no other barber in town, and this is the busiest part of town,” he said.
Conner then had to come up with his barber shop’s name and he decided on Nine23.
“Nine was my football number and my brothers’ and my cousins’,” Conner explained. “And 23 was all of our basketball numbers.”
The new barber shop is located at 221 West Commercial Street, next to Kaho Coffee Co on the Kahoka square.
Conner is taking walk-ins and plans to keep the shop open Monday through Friday and every other Saturday. He is planning to be open from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays and possibly later in the day for people getting off work. He is still finalizing the hours of operation.
The support of his family has been an important part of his journey. His parents and grandfather have each played a role in helping him launch his business.
“My grandpa has been spreading the word to all of his old friends. And my dad helped out a lot. I’m grateful for that and for my mom’s help,” Conner said.
Like many first-time business owners, Conner admits he’s both excited and a little anxious about how the community will respond.
“I hope they like me first of all,” he said. “And then I just hope they come in here and just have a good time.”
Opening a barber shop on the square is not only a personal milestone for Conner but also a boost for Kahoka, which hasn’t had a barber in town for some time. His story is another example of young people choosing to invest in their hometowns rather than moving away.
As he begins his career behind the barber chair, Conner is looking forward to building connections one haircut at a time. For him, it’s not just about trimming hair, but about offering a service that blends skill and creativity. With scissors in hand and the confidence of a new business owner, Conner Mack is ready to make Nine23 a fixture in Kahoka.
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