We were lucky to catch up with Camil. Williams recently and have shared our conversation below.
Camil, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you tell us about how you got your first customer?
The first person to sit in my barber chair was my good friend from Chicago, Kenya “Felzsogood” Tolbert. Kenya and I met in Chicago on the hip hop scene. She was beginning her career as a music producer and sound engineer and at the time, I was a poet, completing my first poetry book and wanted to include a musical component to the collection. She set up a recording studio in her apartment and we got together to record a live session, featuring an all-woman band. A few years later, we found each other here in Atlanta. Both of us artists, in pursuit. She was working as the studio manager of Triangle Sound Studios and because of a schedule conflict, she invited me down to cut her hair. Kenya always complained that barbers never got her line-up right. While I didn’t see the big deal, I understood her complaint as a nice way to say, ‘just don’t *&@# up my hairline!” As long as the fade, shape and line-up were on point, she really gave me free range to create, which was major in developing my hair design skills. My friend had me fresh out of barber school, providing mobile barber services at a major recording studio with a major Chicago connection. It was sort of a 360 moment, being back in a studio environment in this new capacity, as my former producer’s barber. Kenya was a canvas for me to hone and explore my craft as a barber, but she also gave me exposure. Afterwhile, she began to call me not only to cut her hair, but to service the other artists and engineers that frequented the studio, including Lil Dirk, Scottie Taylor and Saucito. I consider the opportunity a major blessing, especially for a beginning barber. It’s where I got my ‘chops’! I truly appreciate Kenya for bringing me into the fold and for trusting me with her hairline! LOL! My first client! My siStar! All your hands can hold! Thank you!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
In barber school, I decided to use COME.iLL as my brand name, which is a play on my real name, Camil. I stepped out of school determined to not only be a dope barber, but to also become a successful and respected business woman. When invited to the profession some years ago by my older brother, who is also a barber, I was clearly not in the mind state to be a barber. However, when I finally made my mind up that barbering was the way for me to express myself and live as an artist, I knew that exceptional service and genuine care for my clients would be the foundation of my business. I was interested in creating an avenue that allowed me to engage and uplift my community through my artistic abilities. Barbering gave me that.
After trying several traditional shops, I decided to go the salon suite route, which allows for a more personal and private barbering experience. I landed at Pearl Salon Suites-Greenbriar. As a suite owner, I am able to curate an exclusive experience for my clients that includes all the amenities of the traditional shop. I provide a clean, safe space that has an artistic flare, including an revolving art exhibit of my original art works and the best in jazz fusion playing in the background, making for an enjoyable and relaxing encounter. The shop is a chill vibe that reflects me as person, and I tend to attract professionals, athletes, artists and scholars as clients.
I offer an array of services for men, women and children, including an amazing hot towel service, premium facials and hair designs. Using my background as an artist, I take a more creative and personable approach to my work. One of my biggest challenges, that I enjoy, is cutting around and making alopecia and hairloss less noticeable. My goal is to give my clients a great ‘natural’ haircut, without or before adding enhancements. I use the best in black owned hair and skin care product brands, like Influance, Bevel and Uncle Jimmy, that produce the desired result and keep your hair and skin healthy.
You may have heard the term. “it’s more than a haircut,” and I believe that to be true! As a business owner, I make it a point to go above and beyond the haircut. It’s the little things like singing happy birthday, walking them to their cars with the umbrella when it’s raining or acting as an invested listener, able to offer useful advice and feedback – because let’s face it, a barber session can also be a needed therapy session. My chair is open to all, including those who identify as LGBT and differently abled. Additionally, I have discounted pricing for seniors and children.
The ultimate truth is that clients become family! Building relationships is the crux of the barbering industry. As a motivator and visionary, I get amped up when my clients share their goals and aspirations! As their stylist, I use that energy to make sure they leave the shop, looking and feeling good about whatever endeavor they’re stepping into. Yeah, it’s cliche but it’s very real!!
Do you have multiple revenue streams – if so, can you talk to us about those streams and how your developed them?
In the shop, I retail Influance hair care products, the Melomaniac Apparel Collection and Melagexenic Art Collection. Influance is a black owned business out of Virginia with really good products that work well for POC hair textures. My top sellers are the Rosemary Stimulating Spray, Moisture Lock and Growth Creme. This system is great for maintaining scalp health, moisture retention, and promoting hair growth. The Melomaniac Collection is a selection of graphic hoodies and t-shirts that appeal to the music lover in you. The collection includes the ‘Good Vibes-The B-Side Cassette’, ‘The Freedom Music Cassette’ and the ‘I Love Music Headphones’ graphics. Apparel is also available on-line. Lastly, the Melagexenic Collection is my original art that is featured in the shop’s revolving art exhibit. Some of the pieces are available for purchase as framed and unframed prints.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
There was a time when I considered taking on a job to make ends meet, during what some in the barber industry call the ‘slow season’. I applied for and landed an accounting gig, but I quickly realized that this was not the move for me. I chose to refocus and pour my effort back into my business. Through analyzing and getting to know my business better, I was able to identify several areas that needed more of my attention. The biggest challenge was the need to improve my marketing strategy. I realized that video and reel driven content was becoming more essential to engaging and gaining new customers and followers on social media . With this shift in the industry, I had to take on the roles of producer, artist, videographer, editor and all the things, gathering content from every haircut, to better market my brand. Incorporating video was not an easy transition for me. There was always something with the lighting and I can’t tell you how many times I forgot to press record, on top of the fact that marketing is just not on my top five list of favorite things to do. However, this experience taught me to take working a job off the table and to put my full skill and creativity into my business. Stepping out of our comfort zones and learning new skills is an important part of sustaining a successful business. The more you put in, the more you get out!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://comeill.com
- Instagram: come.ill_cutz
