We recently connected with Davaughn Hailey and have shared our conversation below.
Davaughn , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Any thoughts about whether to ask friends and family to support your business. What’s okay in your view?
Just in general asking for help is something many don’t want to do. When it comes to business, my personal opinion is that it’s a hidden fear of many. To build your brand and push it with hopes that it’ll mean something to the next like it does to you. You just wish and hope those closest to you would be ecstatic to rush and support you or just give the solid insight or what they think you should do to help business get better. Yet it’s the opposite. It hurts some to the point where they let anger and resentment override the passion they initially had to start the brand. Instead I encourage many to do as I did and be surprised by the ones you least expect to support and motivated by those who shocks you from what they don’t do.
Davaughn , 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?
I’m a master barber, write poetry, have a clothing line I’m learning to build, let’s just say I like to stay busy. I honestly never intended on being a full time barber or none of this. I used to say I wanted to be so much growing up a lawyer, math teacher, football player, and so forth. Knew personally college was just for networking after the second year yet had to finish to complete that journey. Funny thing my pops always used to tell me to get a trade and keep it under my belt I never know where it would take me. In one ear and out the other. Moving on I used to get my haircut with a close friend Reggie in high school and grew to love the feel the shop gave me. Talking to my barber at the time “Big Len” I would always tell him how I wanted to do something different in my family and how I gotta make sure moms and the fam good due to certain situations we would face. The shop then became a serene place for me to go and let go and learn more on top of everything. I used to go home and try and follow every movement I felt my barber do. I started cutting my cousins hair lining my friends up and the more I did it the more I loved it. I met another barber in college well a few more and would get gems from them as well. I moved to Ga in 2010 with no barbering in mind. Worked for three years straight and actually started to not like it here I felt as if I was a robot just working and getting paid no one listened to me I got no position I tried to move up too or did I get the jobs I actually wanted just something to keep the bills paid. I quit my Job 2013 after an overtime meeting. I left with no savings no plan no nothing just knew I was gone cut hair and make it work. I was lost on what to do next though. I got my first job at a shop by going on indeed and searching barber needed. I had a phone convo with the owner explaining to him my passion and how I’m eager to learn and grow in the industry. He gave me a shot as long as I enrolled in school. Going to school I assumed it would be quick and easy nope! I went 12hrs a day sometimes to try and finish quickly. I met instructors who also installed so much knowledge of barbering and the history of barbering in my head it was no looking back I knew this was for me. Through many years of trials and tribulations I can say I love it like nothing else and wouldn’t change it for nothing. Some things to add to let you know your journey will always be worth it. I finished school a month before quitting my job with no savings. A week before I was supposed to walk across stage I got locked up and ended up going to prison for 2 1/2 years. I came home with my hopes of taking the test to be licensed in Ga for barbering to be crushed by me missing the deadline to take the test. I had to write the Secretary of State appealing their decision just to take the test got the test scheduled after letters emails and phone conversations. On the verge of giving up I passed both test written and practical on the first try. Just something to know every path may have some potholes but, no matter what there’s always a way through.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy I have with my clientele is actually caring. I don’t make them feel like they getting hustled for the cut. I make them feel as we are a family I’m a barber and part time shrink 😂. I make sure no matter what my clients leave with a smile and great cut.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
The best source of getting new clients have been my actual clients. I’m just thankful one for being able to have a skill and be able to provide a service that helps makes others day. My clients sends they neighbors, co workers, friends. And not to mention we live in a new social media era so somehow someway how I’m posting has been helping me as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: Book.thecut.co/vaughndabarber
- Instagram: @vaughn.dabarber
- Twitter: @dabarbervaughn
Image Credits
Thank you to all my clients and support.