We recently connected with Stevean Wilson Jr and have shared our conversation below.

Stevean , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

Fatheads Barbershop started as an idea I had while I was in barber school.
When I first started learning how to cut hair, I realized barbering was about a lot more than just the haircut. The barbershop was a place where people came together. People talked about life, laughed, debated sports, and kids grew up coming in every week with their dads. It was a real community space.While I was in school, I started thinking about what it would be like to have a shop of my own one day. I wanted to create a place that had that same feeling and a place where people felt comfortable, where families could come every week, and where the shop had a positive vibe.

At first it was just an idea in my head. But when I talked to my family about it, it quickly became something bigger. They believed in the vision too, and together we decided we were going to make it happen one step at a time. My dad is a barber of over 15 years and working side by side every day is dream come true for us.

Learning the Craft

The first step for me was making sure I became the best barber I could be. While I was in barber school, I focused on learning everything and not just how to cut hair, but how to run a professional shop. I learned about sanitation, tools, customer service, and how the daily flow of a barbershop works. Every haircut was practice not just for a job, but for building something of my own one day.

During that time, I was also paying attention to what made certain shops successful. I noticed that the shops that did the best weren’t just good at cutting hair but they also had a strong atmosphere and a loyal community around them.That stuck with me.

Turning the Idea into a Plan

Once I finished school, we immediately started looking for a building. My family and I started having serious conversations about what it would take to actually open a barbershop.

We started asking questions like:

• Where should the shop be located?
• What kind of environment did we want to create?
• What would the shop be called? (shout-out to my dad for naming the shop Fatheads)
• What kind of clients did we want to serve?

That’s when Fatheads Barbershop came to life. We wanted something fun, memorable, and different and a name people would remember and talk about. From there we started building the vision of what Fatheads would be. We wanted a place that was clean, professional, and welcoming. A place where kids could come get their first haircut, where regulars could come every week, and where the shop always had good energy.

Setting Up the Business

After we had the vision, we had to figure out the business side.

That meant taking care of things like:

• Registering the business
• Setting up banking
• Handling the tax side of the business
• Making sure we had the proper barber licenses
• Applying for the barbershop license through the state
• Understanding health and safety requirements

This part wasn’t the exciting part, but it was necessary. Before you can open the doors, you have to make sure everything is set up the right way.

Finding the Right Location

One of the biggest steps was finding the right place for the shop. We looked at different locations and thought about things like visibility, parking, rent, and whether the space felt right for the type of shop we wanted to build. When we finally found the space, we could immediately picture what Fatheads could become. Even though it didn’t look like a barbershop yet, we knew it had potential.

Building the Shop

Once we had the location, the real work started. We had to turn an empty space into a barbershop. My family and I worked together designing the layout and thinking through every detail. We picked out the barber chairs, mirrors, lighting, waiting chairs, and the overall look of the shop.

We wanted Fatheads to have a clean, modern feel but still keep that classic barbershop atmosphere where people could relax and enjoy being there.

There were a lot of long days during this stage, but it was exciting seeing the vision slowly come to life. Shout-out to all the local business in Knoxville who helped us remodel.

Getting the Equipment

Next we had to make sure we had everything needed to actually operate.

That meant investing in:

• Professional barber chairs
• Clippers and trimmers
• Capes and towels
• Sanitizing equipment
• Work stations and mirrors
• Waiting area seating

This was one of the biggest investments we made, but we knew if we wanted to offer a professional experience, we had to do it right.

Creating the Fatheads Brand

Once the shop started coming together, we focused on building the Fatheads brand.

We designed the logo and started creating a presence on social media. We posted haircut photos and videos so people could see the work and get familiar with the shop before it even opened. We started to partner with other local business like food trucks and for natural made hair products and start to build relationships in our community.

Marketing and Spreading the Word

Before opening, we worked hard to spread the word. We used social media like Instagram and Facebook, told friends and family, and started building excitement in the community.
Word of mouth is huge in barbering. When one person likes their haircut, they bring their friends and family next time.

Opening the Doors

When we finally opened the doors at Fatheads, it was a big moment for our family. What started as an idea while I was in barber school had turned into a real business. But opening the shop was just the beginning. After that, it became about consistency and showing up every day, taking care of clients, and continuing to build relationships in the community.

One client turned into regulars. Regulars turned into the Fatheads family.

What Fatheads Means Today

Today Fatheads Barbershop is more than just a place to get a haircut. It’s a place where people come to talk, laugh, and connect. Kids grow up getting their haircuts here. Families come in together. The shop is full of energy, music, and good conversation.

Looking back, the biggest lesson I learned is that businesses don’t start big. They start with an idea, a lot of hard work, and people around you who believe in the vision. Fatheads Barbershop is proof that if you take things one step at a time, you can turn an idea into something real.

Stevean , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Stevean but everyone calls me Tank, and I’m a Master barber and the owner of Fatheads Barbershop. For me, barbering isn’t just a career. It’s a craft, a passion, and something that runs deep in my family.

I actually grew up around the beauty and barber industry. My dad is a barber as well, and today he works right alongside me in the shop. Watching him and seeing the relationships he built with people through barbering had a big influence on me. My grandmother was also a beautician and owned her own shop, so being around people who worked in this industry and served their communities was something I saw growing up.

Because of that, the barbershop environment always felt familiar to me. I saw how much more it was than just a place to get a haircut. It was a place where people connected, shared stories, laughed, and supported each other. That sense of community is something that always stuck with me.

When I got older, I decided I wanted to take that path myself and pursue barbering seriously. I enrolled in barber school and really committed to learning the craft. I spent time studying different haircut techniques like fades, tapers, line-ups, and beard work. But I also paid attention to the bigger picture like how a shop operates, how barbers interact with clients, and how the overall experience makes people feel when they walk in the door.

While I was in barber school, I started thinking seriously about opening a shop of my own one day. I wanted to build something that represented not only my passion for barbering but also the family tradition that inspired me.

That vision eventually became Fatheads Barbershop.

With the support of my family, we turned that idea into a real business. Today my dad works with me in the shop, which makes it even more meaningful because it’s truly a family operation. Being able to carry on the legacy that started with my grandmother and continues through my dad is something I’m very proud of.

At Fatheads Barbershop, we offer professional barber services including fades, tapers, beard trims, kids’ haircuts, and full grooming services. But what we really focus on is providing a complete experience. When people come into our shop, we want them to feel comfortable, welcomed, and confident that they’re going to leave looking their best.

One of the biggest things we focus on is consistency and quality. A lot of people struggle to find a barber they can trust. We make sure that every client who sits in the chair gets attention to detail and a haircut that’s done right.

Another thing that sets us apart is the atmosphere we’ve created. The shop is a place where people come not just for a haircut but also for the conversation and the energy. Families come in together, kids get their first haircuts here, and many of our clients become regulars who we see week after week.

What makes me most proud is being able to take something that started as an idea while I was in barber school and build it into a business that serves the community. I’m proud that it’s something my family helped build together, and that my dad and I now work side by side continuing a tradition that goes back to my grandmother owning her own beauty shop.

Barbering allows you to build real relationships with people. You get to watch kids grow up, be part of people’s routines, and create a space where people feel comfortable being themselves.

What I want people to know about me and about Fatheads is that we take pride in our craft and in the community we serve. Every haircut is done with care and intention, and we work hard to keep the shop a positive place where everyone feels welcome.

At the end of the day, barbering is about helping people look good, feel confident, and walk out the door feeling better than when they came in. If we can do that while also building community and continuing our family legacy in this industry, then we’re doing exactly what we set out to do.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Honestly, the biggest thing that’s helped us grow our clientele is building relationships and letting our work speak for itself. In barbering, your reputation travels fast in the streets. One great haircut, one positive experience, and people tell their friends, family, and coworkers. Word-of-mouth has been huge for us.

We’ve also been very intentional about creating a welcoming, community-focused environment. Families feel comfortable coming in together, kids get excited about their haircuts, and regular clients become part of the Fatheads family. That energy keeps people coming back and encourages them to bring others with them.

Social media has been another major strategy. Posting high-quality photos and videos of haircuts, fades, line-ups, and transformations helps people see the work we do before they even step in the door. We use Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to show the vibe of the shop, highlight the barbers, and make our clients feel proud to be part of the Fatheads family. We also do Food truck Saturdays, highlight small businesses, and sell locally organic made hair and skin products in the shop.

Finally, consistency and reliability are key. Every client knows that when they come to Fatheads, they’ll get the same high-quality service every time. That builds trust, and once people trust you, they don’t just keep coming back, they bring everyone they know.

So really, it’s a combination of great service, strong community vibes, family energy in the shop, and smart social media storytelling that’s helped us grow our clientele steadily over the first year.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

For us, it’s all about relationships first. We don’t just see people as clients instead we see them as part of the Fatheads family. That starts in the shop, with conversation, remembering names, and remembering what’s going on in their lives. When people feel seen and appreciated, they naturally come back.

We also stay connected outside the shop. Social media is a big part of that! We post updates, showcase our work, and celebrate milestones, whether it’s a client’s first haircut, a sports shout-out, a birthday shout-out, or a transformation. It keeps Fatheads top of mind and reminds clients they’re part of something bigger than just a haircut.

Giving back to the community is another key way we foster loyalty. We host events like free haircuts at the Boys & Girls Club, back-to-school school supply giveaways, free Santa photos at Christmas, and so much more. These events let us connect with people in meaningful ways, and show that Fatheads isn’t just a barbershop but a place that cares about the community.

Finally, consistency is everything. Clients know that whether they sit in my chair, my dad’s, or any barber at the shop, they’re going to get the same high-quality service every time. That trust is the foundation of loyalty and when people know they can rely on you, they stay with you.

So really, loyalty comes from personal connection, consistent quality, community involvement, and keeping clients engaged both inside and outside the shop.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://book.squareup.com/appointments/8jlwst72dbsc55/location/L3W3S7PYS13AZ/services?rwg_token=AFd1xnFB5AbQJ2UHCq0Nj5MOFTVAfYaB_1KTvfSPRfTPqOyoH0KXF_OYDxOuL8g42bPL6D0TxtyFgtBw0V9s_q5dx2Xr1PATQg%3D%3D
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fatheadsbarbershop
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Fatheads-Barbershop/61569538109573/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@fatheadsbarbershop?_r=1&_d=secCgYIASAHKAESPgo8jqcAlMUTwAZMwhJ28rcrrB53pG9S7zs%2BWl4cGzvEJMoGlOvP4xR7RqrODa6FtEwjy8fVUMHrLpKXZxWmGgA%3D&_svg=3&checksum=1dbe72e8501f6ce2dda88330db5a6c1cd9d96de86564a7c9749df2a4c988da8d&item_author_type=1&sec_uid=MS4wLjABAAAAbE5zPPhPh6xvqiDxH9h8i9_Ss-qiS7LJ_DTPGAog4Jw1lm70DNWQDWRNh5EJdZwt&sec_user_id=MS4wLjABAAAAbE5zPPhPh6xvqiDxH9h8i9_Ss-qiS7LJ_DTPGAog4Jw1lm70DNWQDWRNh5EJdZwt&share_app_id=1233&share_author_id=6997315134355932165&share_link_id=23F0C991-9C17-46F0-A428-0F708C883457&share_region=US&share_scene=1&sharer_language=en&social_share_type=4&source=h5_m&timestamp=1773014989&tt_from=copy&u_code=dk6k2c2jh2ja74&ug_btm=b8727%2Cb0&user_id=6997315134355932165&utm_campaign=client_share&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=copy