Kenneth Shuler School Founder Has Passed Away
The cosmetology chain continues its South Carolina operations following the death of its founder and CEO.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Openings & Closings
Kenneth Shuler, founder and CEO of the Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology, has died at age 87. His namesake business maintains eight locations across South Carolina.
Why it matters
The passing of a long-term operator marks a transition point for a significant regional provider of cosmetology and barber training. The school has been a fixture in the state's professional education sector since its founding in 1968.
The school network currently operates eight locations in South Carolina, an expansion from the original Capital Barber College purchased by Shuler in 1968.
The players
Kenneth Shuler
The founder and CEO of the Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology who built a network of eight schools in South Carolina.
Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology
A vocational training institution operating eight locations across South Carolina.
The details
Shuler established his career in the state after attending barber college in Greenville and working his first job in Myrtle Beach for eight years. He entered the education market by purchasing the Capital Barber College in Columbia in 1968, which eventually evolved into the current cosmetology school brand.
Timeline
1968: Shuler purchased the Capital Barber College in Columbia.
Early Sunday morning, October 11, 2026: Kenneth Shuler passed away.
Market Landscape
This development follows the trajectory of a professional education provider that began with the 1968 acquisition of Capital Barber College. The closure of the founder's tenure mirrors the generational shift observed across independent vocational training networks in the region.
Operators in the vocational education space should monitor for any shifts in corporate administration or branding at the school's eight locations. Stakeholders should await formal communication regarding the new management structure to ensure continuity in training services.
The takeaway
The transition of a long-standing vocational business serves as a reminder for operators to solidify their own succession plans. Business owners should ensure that leadership contingencies are clearly defined to maintain stability during management changes.
Further reading
For more on industry shifts, visit South Carolina Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wistv.
