We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Carley Fant. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Carley below.
Carley , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you tell us a bit about who your hero is and the influence they’ve had on you?
The Oxford Dictionary defines a hero as “a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.” However, this interpretation fails to differentiate a genuinely heroic figure from one who’s authored their success story. What distinguishes a hero is not their triumph over adversity but the profound impact they have on the minds and hearts of others. Exemplifying these qualities, my hero, and guardian angel, is named Mom.
Growing up as an only child, my mother and I shared an unbreakable bond. Early on, she introduced me to the magic of books and invested much of her time igniting my imagination with her collection of stories. Her unwavering dedication to the pursuit of knowledge continued throughout my life. When I was in elementary school, my mother decided to return to college and complete her degree in Early Childhood Education. She embodied all the core teaching values, understanding that the most important lessons taught in her Kindergarten class wouldn’t come from the curriculum. As the years went by and her students graduated high school, I would be amazed to hear that many returned to Mrs. Fant’s classroom to thank her for catalyzing their educational success- a testament to her lasting influence.
On September 18th, 2021, my mother, my hero, tragically and unexpectedly passed away due to a medical complication. To add to the complexity of this earth-shattering loss, my family joined the unfortunate statistic of those unable to visit their hospitalized loved ones due to COVID restrictions. On that day, a light inside my soul went completely dark. I’ve spent the last 664 days picking up the pieces and attempting to embrace my reshaped world. Though I’ve come to realize grieving is infinite, I’ve found peace in the continued inspiration my mother provides. With a new understanding of how short life truly is, I’ve followed in her footsteps and returned to college to pursue my passion for cyber security. Above my desk is a shelf dedicated to her memory, reminding me that my guardian angel continues to teach me lessons.
Following the announcement of my mother’s passing, numerous students reached out to share their memories, expressing how Mrs. Fant helped shape their lives. I’ll end this with an excerpt from a student’s message I received:
“In my kindergarten year, she gave us a Chicken Soup for the Soul book. The inside read, “A book on which you’ll
never test— to help you with life’s tests.” I kept it on my bedside table for 18 years, and when I went to the
University of Georgia for undergrad, it came with me there too. The note was important and always taught me
perspective when something was going wrong. When I graduated law school last May, I included the book and
the note in my post. It seemed fitting to tie my biggest academic accomplishment to date to the note I received
in kindergarten, and to the teacher who always understood. Now, I am so glad I did.”
Everyday heroes are all around us- make sure to thank them.
Carley , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
In 2018, I opened Tiger’s Eye Barbershop with my business partner, Helene Kelman. Our vision was to create an artfully curated space where anyone would feel comfortable and catered to regardless of identity, orientation, race, or status. Continuing this mission, we strive to inspire self-confidence through consciously crafted haircuts for all.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Consistency plays a crucial role in building a positive reputation. By establishing trust, ensuring reliability, and guaranteeing professionalism, you can consistently deliver a positive customer experience and cultivate a strong reputation.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
To piggyback off the last question, trust is the cornerstone of a good reputation, and with that, people are more likely to engage with and recommend those businesses. When clients have consistent experiences that meet or exceed their expectations, they’re more likely to leave positive reviews and refer folks in their network. Growing a clientele through word-of-mouth referrals creates a more personal relationship and fosters a stronger sense of community. 
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tigerseyebarbershop.com/
- Instagram: @carleyfant
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carleyfant/
Image Credits
DK Hebert Photography and David Clifton-Strawn