Build a Skill That Can Change Your Future

Virak Hing's story is rooted in resilience, service, and community.

His family arrived in the United States as refugees from Cambodia in 1980, seeking a new beginning after the devastation of war. They built their lives in Minnesota, laying the foundation for a future defined by hard work and purpose.

Virak went on to spend more than 30 years in public service, working across the City of Saint Paul, Ramsey County, and the State of Minnesota.

In his most recent role with The Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans. Virak managed operations, oversaw budgeting, and supported leadership while serving communities that reflected his own background.

Barbering, however, has always been personal.

Inspired by his older brother, Tino Hing, a respected St. Paul barber and business owner. Virak became a licensed barber in 2004. What began as a part-time pursuit grew into a lifelong passion. He later earned his school instructor certification and became deeply involved in barber education, mentoring emerging schools, and helping develop future instructors.

In 2021, Virak further expanded his impact as a Law Compliance State Inspector with the Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners, working closely with barber shops and barber schools, and gaining a deep understanding of what students need to succeed.

Now, Virak brings all of that experience into St. Paul Barber School a place built to offer more than technical training. His vision is to provide mentorship, opportunity, and a clear path into a profession that can change lives.

For Virak, this is more than a business; it's a commitment to investing in the next generation and strengthening the community he calls home.

Virakcheath "Virak" Hing

Founder, St. Paul Barber School

Sam McKinney brings over 15 years of experience in business development, marketing strategy, and automation.

As the founder of McKinney Creative Ventures, he specializes in helping local businesses grow through smart systems, clear positioning, and results-driven marketing.

At St. Paul Barber School, Sam leads business development and marketing, shaping the school's growth, visibility, and long-term success, helping make Virak's dream a reality.

Sam McKinney

Co-Founder, St. Paul Barber School

Kim Sin's story starts with survival. Born in Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge era, he escaped as an infant with his family through one of the most dangerous refugee crises of the 20th century, moving through Thailand and the Philippines before being resettled in Rochester, Minnesota, through the sponsorship of a local church. He has called Rochester home for more than 44 years.

That journey shaped everything that followed. For over 25 years, Kim has devoted himself to serving the Cambodian community and broader immigrant and refugee populations across Minnesota, with a particular focus on elders, individuals with disabilities, and those navigating life in a new country without a clear roadmap. He holds a bachelor's degree from Winona State University and has built a professional career in information technology and educational technology, where he applies deep technical expertise to support people and institutions who need it most.

Kim joined St. Paul Barber School because he recognizes what vocational education can mean for a community still finding its footing. A school that offers a clear, affordable path into a licensed trade, run by someone who shares his roots, is not just a business. It is infrastructure for the next generation of Southeast Asian professionals in Minnesota. He contributes to SPBS's operations, community outreach, and technology systems, helping build the foundation that allows the school to run with integrity and scale with purpose.

Kim Sin

Supporting Co-Founder, St. Paul Barber School