Ike King didn’t take a traditional path to his career. After doing well in school, he chose barber school over college and quickly stood out, graduating at the top of his class and building a steady client base as a five-star barber. Although successful with consistent income, Ike began to think more deeply about his future.
“I wanted more than just stability,” Ike shares. “I wanted to build something that could grow.” That mindset shift was sparked in part by a conversation with a fellow barber, who encouraged Ike to explore homeownership through a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan. The idea opened his eyes to new possibilities and prompted him to think about his future in terms of entrepreneurship and long-term impact.
Ike decided to explore the construction industry, which he quickly discovered, was a natural fit. He learned quickly, worked well with his hands, and enjoyed seeing tangible results from his work. What started as curiosity became something he wanted to pursue more seriously.
In order to grow within the construction industry, Ike wanted to pursue more training. He connected with National Able Network at Prairie State College to take his career to the next level. The Career Foundations program at Able stood out because it allowed him to keep working while building new skills. With support from Able such as career guidance and transportation assistance, he was able to stay consistent and continue gaining new skills.
Balancing work and training helped Ike stay disciplined and focused. He approaches growth with a mindset rooted in the Japanese concept of Kaizen, the idea of continuous improvement, where progress is made step by step over time. Ike says, “The goal is improvement, not perfection. Focus on getting better by one percent each day.”
By building skills in both barbering and construction early in his career, Ike has positioned himself in industries that offer both stability and long-term potential. As Ike continues on his path in construction, he shares this advice: “Start sooner rather than later and focus on building something that lasts.”
