Brothers use Covina hair salon to back philanthropic efforts

Owners Albert Cortez, left, and brother Jerry Cortez through his business Kut Haus Salon at Kut Hauss Salon in Covina on Friday, Dec. 12, 2013. The salon is going to offer 3,800 employees of the Citrus Valley Health Network free hair cuts, a value he estimates at $208,000. (Watchara Phomicinda / Staff Photographer)


By Jason Henry, San Gabriel Valley Tribune


COVINA >> Jerry and Albert Cortez grew up with a frequent message from their parents to give back whenever they could.

The brothers and business partners now use their recently opened hair salon to do just that.

“We didn’t come the richest household,” Albert Cortez said. “But we always got taught to give back and say thanks.”

“We have to thank our mom for that,” Jerry Cortez said.

The siblings own and operate the high-end Kut Haus Salon at 116 East Badillo Street. Their philanthropy began before the salon though. Albert Cortez largely attributes the start to a minor donation that spiraled into an annual fundraiser.

“It wasn’t supposed to be this big,” Jerry Cortez said. The brothers planned to initially give $500, but instead helped start Dare to Care, an annual “haircut-a-thon” that raises funds for the Citrus Valley Hospice in honor of Covina Mayor Walt Allen III’s late wife, Pat Allen, who died from cancer in 2009.

Cortez approached Allen about the idea several weeks after Pat’s death, raising $8,000 in the first year and more than $150,000 total since the first event, according to Albert Cortez. The event brings together stylists and salons from across the city to donate the costs of hair cuts to the hospice.

Albert Cortez recently won Covina’s Community Hero award for 2013.

“I think it is great what he has done and Jerry deserves a lot of credit as well,” Allen said. “Both have really given back to the community.”

Allen referred to Albert as a “lightning rod for volunteerism.”

“He and his brother really demonstrate that young people do give back to society,” he said.

The brothers bounced between salons up and down Citrus before finally deciding to open their own shop. Kut Haus opened its doors nine months ago, Albert Cortez said.

“We’ve been growing so rapidly,” Jerry Cortez said, who notes the salon aims to give a unique and positive experience to every guest. While waiting for a seat, a guest can have lemonade or a mimosa and listen to music, sometimes played by a live disc jockey.

The brothers’ newest philanthropy ties back to their new salon. Kut Haus Salon is offering free hair cuts to all of Citrus Valley Health Partners’ roughly 3,200 employees starting January 7th until March.

“There are no restrictions, they don’t have to buy anything,” Albert Cortez said.

With the average cut costing about $65, the duo’s gift is valued at about $208,000, he said.

“They help save lives, we just cut hair,” Albert Cortez said. “These types of people don’t really get much recognition. So it is just a way for us to say thank you.”

The cut includes as shampooing and a style. All an employee has to do is present their Citrus Valley badge, Albert Cortez said. He said they selected Citrus Valley because of their past experiences with Dare-to-Care and other charity work they’ve done in collaboration the health network.

“These are the people that are saving lives, making a difference,” he said. “They need this type of service and we offer it.”