Ivin Huggan

Introduction and Welcome

Taryell Simmons: Welcome ladies and gentlemen to another episode of Rise Urban Nation. It is your host Taryell Simmons in the building, and we have another lovely guest. He is a CEO, a founder, a connector, and a motivator. Ivin, welcome to the show, my brother. How are you doing today?

Ivin Huggan: Fantastic, Taryell, how about yourself?

Taryell Simmons: Not too bad. Where are you joining us from today?

Ivin Huggan: I am joining from Las Vegas.

Taryell Simmons: Before we get into all that, who is Ivin?

Ivin Huggan: I am originally from New York, born and raised. I am a 24-year-old with Jamaican and Cuban heritage who has the ambition and drive to change the world.

Taryell Simmons: There is nothing like Jamaican food, from curry goat and jerk chicken to ackee and saltfish.

Ivin Huggan: That is the one thing I have been trying to find here in Las Vegas. There are not many Jamaican spots here, and I have been looking for a beef patty with coco bread.

Origins of the Entrepreneurial Mindset

Ivin Huggan: I started my entrepreneurial journey during college at SUNY Purchase in New York. What really pushed me toward entrepreneurship was reading Rich Dad Poor Dad. That book completely changed my perspective on money and building wealth. It introduced me to the possibility of becoming my own boss, making money work for me, and creating a solid foundation rather than following the traditional path of working 40 to 80 hours a week just to retire at 60 or 70 with limited time left.

Taryell Simmons: That book teaches you to be an owner rather than a worker, asking how you can achieve something creatively.

Ivin Huggan: Growing up, I was taught that wealth was out of reach and to follow a traditional safe path. Reading that book was a culture shock. Later, reading Fake Money, Fake Teachers, Fake School reinforced that I wanted to learn business directly from active entrepreneurs rather than academics who have never run a business. My entrepreneurship classes at SUNY Purchase brought in real corporate lawyers and executives, which inspired me to launch an idea.

The Birth of Cutnet

Ivin Huggan: In 2019, the idea for Cutnet was born. Cutnet is a tech startup offering a mobile on-demand hair service where vetted barbers and stylists come directly to you, whether at your house, hotel, or office, providing a concierge experience. The idea sparked when a college friend cut my hair in my dorm room for $12. It felt like the luxury experience celebrities have with personal stylists. I asked myself why everyone could not have access to that convenience, and I decided to combine the concept of Uber with professional hair grooming.

Pitch Competitions and Startup Accelerators

Ivin Huggan: In the fall of 2019, I competed in my college Shark Tank competition and became a finalist. A judge told me she saw international potential in the idea, which motivated me to keep going. I advanced to the Hudson Valley regional competition right at the start of the pandemic. Even though I faced skepticism about in-home service safety, the pandemic proved the necessity of mobile grooming as barbershops shut down. I connected with a mentor who served as the Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Westchester, joined their startup accelerator in fall 2020, and graduated in 2021 while refining the business model.

Relocating to Las Vegas and the Power of Networking

Ivin Huggan: I moved to Las Vegas to visit family, but fell in love with the vibrant local startup ecosystem. The community here is incredibly welcoming and collaborative. Joining the Chambers of Commerce was a game-changer. It provided access to networking, Toastmasters for public speaking, bank funding, and direct referrals across tech, real estate, and sports, including connections with the NFL Alumni chapter.

Taryell Simmons: Networking is an art, and you have truly mastered connecting people and giving back to the community.

Securing Advisors, Funding, and App Development

Ivin Huggan: During CES weekend in Las Vegas, I attended an event at a private airport hangar and connected with an experienced Silicon Valley investor. After reviewing our model, he advised us to raise $2.5 million instead of $1 million because our platform utilizes skilled labor, creating higher value and sustainability than ride-share models. He joined as an advisor. Through Startup Vegas, I also connected with a skilled developer named Joshua, who built our Alpha app. We officially launched it with a 200-person celebration.

Market Expansion and Future Growth

Ivin Huggan: Cutnet has expanded from Las Vegas into Los Angeles and Honolulu, Hawaii, with long-term plans for nationwide and international reach. In Los Angeles, we are onboarding stylists and barbers affected by the Hollywood strikes, including professionals who service NFL players. We have also gained international attention through the Vegas Meets Dubai initiative and discussions with representatives from Dubai interested in our mobile luxury grooming model.

Career Beginnings, Custom Matching, and Final Advice

Taryell Simmons: What was your very first job, and how did it prepare you for entrepreneurship?

Ivin Huggan: My first job was at Sunglass Hut selling sunglasses. It taught me essential sales skills, understanding human behavior, and matching products to facial shapes. At Cutnet, we apply a similar matching principle by pairing clients with hair professionals based specifically on hair texture, whether straight, curly, or coarse.

Taryell Simmons: What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs starting out?

Ivin Huggan: Persistence is key. You will encounter doubters and obstacles, but if you have a God-given dream that sticks with you like glue, stay committed and never give up.