We recently connected with James Holland and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, James thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?

During my time at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, Colorado, from 1997 to 2009, I had the pleasure of serving many familiar faces as my initial clients. It is worth mentioning that I was the sole individual, particularly the only African-American, who specialized in cutting and styling “African-American” hair in the vicinity. Consequently, when word got out that I had returned to the area, people eagerly flocked to my shop to avail themselves of my services.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am from Houston, Texas, also known as H-Town, Space City, Clutch City, and the Home of the “SLAB”. However, I also have roots in Los Angeles, CA, specifically Norwalk, CA. My journey in the art of cutting hair began at the young age of 12. Both my father and older cousin are licensed barbers, and I proudly carry on that tradition as a licensed black barber. As the owner of Northern Colorado’s first “True” Black Barbershop, I stand out from the rest. What sets us apart is our commitment to excellence in every haircut we provide, not just specializing in African-American hairstyles but catering to all hair types. We take great pride in our attention to detail. One of my greatest achievements is opening this business with 100% self-generated financing, without relying on any loans. Furthermore, I am honored to have had the opportunity to provide barbering services for esteemed individuals such as Deion Sanders, also known as “Coach Prime,” from CU/University of Colorado-Boulder, and Coach Novell from Colorado State University Rams-Fort Collins, Colorado. Beyond being a barber, we actively volunteer in our community, working with the City of Loveland and the Loveland Downtown Creative Association. Recently, I have been appointed as the only minority, barber, and first African-American board member for the Loveland Citizens Police Advisory Board or PCAB.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

To obtain the necessary funds for my shop, I engaged in the art of haircutting. With the closure of all barbershops and salons in the State of Texas on April 3, 2020, I took to cutting hair on the sidewalks, outside of establishments. Additionally, I provided haircuts at the unemployment office, in various parking lots, as well as in the secluded areas of warehouses and retail stores. My dedication to my craft was evident as I tirelessly worked 12 to 13 hours a day, not only at my regular job but also for an additional 6 to 8 hours. This included working on my scheduled days off. It was not uncommon for me to continue cutting hair until the late hours of the night, often concluding around 1-2am.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

The resources that have greatly aided me in my journey include my 7-year tenure as a Store/General Manager at AutoZone, as well as my role as an Assistant District Manager. I also gained valuable experience as a General Manager Il at Advance Auto Parts. In addition to my practical experience, I have invested time in expanding my knowledge through reading. I found great value in the book “Boss Up” written by Rick Ross, as well as “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki. Furthermore, I have sought wisdom from successful business owners, barbershop owners, and anyone who has achieved remarkable success in the realm of overall business management.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.xaaksbarbershop.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xaaks_barbershop/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xaaksbarbershop
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-holland-jr-a2640936
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/XAAKsBarbershop
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/xaaks-barbershop-loveland-2

Image Credits
Photos provided by James Holland Jr