A Family-Built Academy, Rooted in Waukegan
Founded in March 2024 by Eliezer Encarnacion and his son Sammy. Sammy brings discipline and leadership from the Chicago Police Department. Eliezer brings his barbering expertise as Tricoci University's Educator of the Year.
Students travel from Gurnee, Zion, North Chicago, Beach Park, Libertyville, Grayslake, Round Lake, Kenosha, and across Lake County to train here.
Mission
Train confident, licensed barbers ready for real careers on day one.
Approach
Small classes, hands-on repetition, and instructors who still work behind the chair.
Less Than a Year with Premier.
We already figured out the path. You still have to walk it. Here is what that walk looks like, from the day you start to the day you build your career.
You start with a goal.
You walk in with a decision to change your life. We hand you the map on day one.
You learn the fundamentals.
Cutting, fading, straight-razor work, sanitation. The skills that never leave you.
You put it to work on real clients.
Real chairs, real people, real feedback. This is where confidence is built.
You always know where you stand.
Your hours, practicals, and milestones are tracked. No guessing how close you are.
You complete the requirements.
Hours in, state exam prepped, ready. The hard work meets its payoff.
You cross the finish line. Now you build your career.
Licensed, skilled, and ready to work a chair, open a shop, and pass it forward.
"We already walked this path. Our job is to make sure you don't have to figure it out alone."
Choose Your Path to Licensure
Every track is built around Illinois licensing requirements and real clock-hour instruction.
Barber Program
Cutting, styling, straight-razor shaving, sanitation, and business skills. Everything required for full Illinois barber licensure.
Cosmetologist Crossover
Already a licensed cosmetologist? Cross over into barbering with a condensed course built around your existing skill set.
Fast-Track Course
A focused, accelerated path for students ready to move quickly toward their state exam and job readiness.
What Actually Separates This Academy
Educator of the Year
Led by a Tricoci University award winner.
Real-World Training
Work on real clients in a real salon from early on, not just mannequins.
Small Class Sizes
Direct instructor attention instead of getting lost in a crowded room.
Flexible Schedules
Full-time and part-time tracks built around work and family.
Payment Plans
Tuition options so cost isn't the reason you delay your career.
Career Preparation
Training covers the business of barbering, not just the technical skill.
Licensed CE Sponsor
Illinois BCENT-approved Continuing Education Sponsor, license #190.010984.
Competition Experience
Home of the Premier Barber Battle. Sharpen your skill under real pressure.
Built on Real Accomplishment
Educator of the Year, Barber/Nail
Tricoci University of Beauty Culture
Certified Haircolor Authority
Redken 5th Avenue NYC
Premier Barber Battle
In-house student championship, first-place title belt
Licensed BCENT CE Sponsor
State of Illinois, License #190.010984
Eliezer Encarnacion
10+ years in barbering. 15 years as a licensed cosmetologist. In 2021, Tricoci University named him Educator of the Year for Barber/Nail.
His teaching style is direct and hands-on: high standards, real feedback, and mentorship that continues after graduation. He leads Premier as an Illinois BCENT-licensed Continuing Education Sponsor.
A Facility Built to Train Professionals
Picture yourself here, from your first day of class to your last hour before the state exam.
Meet Our Graduates
25 students have already crossed the finish line. Real people who walked the path and came out licensed.
What You'll Actually Work With
Students who need a full kit train with professional-grade tools from day one. Experienced barbers and cosmetologists crossing over can use their own.
- 01Wahl Professional A-Lign trimmer, Vanish shaver, and Magic Clip cordless clipper
- 02Derby Premium razor blades, cutting cape, and barber vest
- 03Black Ice grooming line: aftershave cologne, beard oil, and beard serum
- 04Pinaud Clubman finishing powder, styling powder, combs, and clips
Real Reviews From Real Students
Common Questions
Start Your Barbering Career
Serving Waukegan, Gurnee, Zion, North Chicago, Beach Park, Libertyville, Grayslake, Round Lake, Kenosha, and all of Lake County.
Waukegan, Illinois 60087
Privacy Policy
Effective October 28, 2026Premier Barber Academy LLC ("Premier", "we", "us") is a licensed barber school serving Waukegan and Lake County, Illinois. This policy explains what we collect through this website and when you contact us, how we use it, and the choices you have.
What we collect
- Information you give us. When you request information, book a tour or call or text us: your name, phone number, email, the program you are interested in, and anything you add to your message.
- Information collected automatically. Our website host and booking and form tools may collect basic usage data such as pages viewed, device and browser type, approximate location from your IP address, and cookies or similar identifiers.
How we use it
- To answer your questions, tell you about programs and start dates, and schedule your tour.
- To follow up about your request or enrollment.
- To run, protect and improve this website.
- To meet our legal obligations.
We do not sell your personal information.
Text messages
If you agree to text messages on our form, or text us first, you agree to receive text messages from Premier Barber Academy LLC about your request, tours and enrollment. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP at any time to opt out and HELP for help. Consent to receive text messages is not a condition of enrolling or buying anything.
No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Information sharing with subcontractors in support services, such as customer service, is permitted. All other use case categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.
Who we share information with
We share information only with service providers that help us run the school, such as our website and customer management platform, phone and messaging carriers, and scheduling tools. They may use your information only to provide services to us. We may also disclose information when required by law or to protect our rights.
Cookies and analytics
This site and our form and booking tools may use cookies and similar tools to understand how they are used. You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings. This site does not respond to browser Do Not Track signals.
How long we keep it
We keep records for as long as we need them for the purposes above and as required by law, then delete or anonymize them.
Your choices
You can ask to see, correct or delete the personal information we hold about you, or withdraw text message consent, by contacting us or replying STOP to any text. California residents may request the categories of personal information we collect and how we use and share it, and may request deletion. We do not sell personal information and do not share it for cross-context behavioral advertising.
Children
This website is not directed to children under 13 and we do not knowingly collect information from them.
Security
We use reasonable safeguards to protect your information. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure.
Changes
We may update this policy. The effective date at the top shows the current version.
Contact
Premier Barber Academy LLC, 919 W. Greenwood Avenue, Waukegan, Illinois 60087. Phone (224) 600-8830. Email [email protected].
Terms & SMS Policy
Effective October 28, 2026These terms apply to this website. By using the site or contacting us you agree to them. If you do not agree, please do not use the site.
Information on this site
Program names, clock hours, schedules and costs are described for information. Enrollment, tuition, payment plans and start dates are confirmed with our team before you enroll. Nothing on this site promises a job, an income or a pass on the state exam.
Tours and requests
Booking a tour or sending a request does not enroll you. Tours may need to move for availability, and we will let you know as early as we can.
Text message program (SMS)
- Program. Premier Barber Academy LLC sends text messages about requests, tours and enrollment to people who opt in through our website form or by texting us.
- Opt in. You opt in by agreeing to text messages on our form or by texting us first. Consent is not a condition of enrolling or buying anything.
- Opt out. Reply STOP to any message to cancel. You will get one final message confirming you are unsubscribed. After that we will not text you unless you opt in again.
- Help. Reply HELP to any message, or contact us as shown below.
- Frequency and rates. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply.
- Carriers. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
- Privacy. How we handle your number is described in our Privacy Policy. Mobile information is not shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.
Website
The photos, text and design on this site belong to Premier Barber Academy LLC or are used with permission. Do not copy or misuse them. The site is provided as is. To the extent permitted by law, we are not liable for indirect or consequential losses arising from use of the site.
Governing law
These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Illinois. Any dispute will be handled in the courts of Lake County, Illinois, unless the law requires otherwise.
Changes
We may update these terms. The effective date at the top shows the current version.
Contact
Premier Barber Academy LLC, 919 W. Greenwood Avenue, Waukegan, Illinois 60087. Phone (224) 600-8830. Email [email protected].