THREE CHEERS — Hip Hip Hooray!

Couple Purchases Barbershop from the Retiring Owner

Dustin Peden opened the “D BEST TAPER” barbershop in Mitchell, Nebraska one year ago. Dustin, with his wife Lisa and their 1-year old daughter Emily, moved from their hometown of Cozad to purchase the shop from Frank Stiver, a long-time resident of Mitchell who wanted to retire.

Dustin had filled in as summer help at the barbershop while attending the Bible College in LaGrange, Wyoming several years before. He had always wanted his own shop and had contacted Frank several months earlier about the possibility of purchasing the shop.

Contact with the Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) in Scottsbluff resulted in a referral to Jerry Terwilliger, REAP’s Panhandle Business Specialist. REAP offered assistance in obtaining financing to purchase the shop.

With help from REAP, the Scottsbluff NBDC, and the City of Mitchell, a business plan was developed and financing secured for the purchase. Dustin recently leased a separate portion of the building to another new entrepreneur as a beauty salon, and says that it would not have been possible without the assistance from REAP.

Lisa is employed with the Domestic Violence Emergency Services (DOVES) organization in Scottsbluff; both Dustin and Lisa enjoy their new hometown, and are very active in their church.