We were lucky to catch up with Deu’Mauris Gray Sr recently and have shared our conversation below.

Deu’Mauris , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I’m a cosmetologist and a barber. It was a goal since I started school. I wanted to be a barber but cosmetology school was closer. I ended up getting my barber license later. Salons seemed more professional and family oriented, so I wanted a shop that was family oriented. I also wanted my shop to be combined as well as separate at the same. There are many unisex salons but men get better service in barber shops in my opinion. However, barbers tend to be better with clippers and cosmetologist seem to be better with scissors. I wanted the best of both worlds in my shop. All textures, genders and ethnicities. I don’t see many barbershop & salon combos so I felt that this was needed. I didn’t want a shop that catered to a specific gender or texture of hair. I wanted this to be a one stop shop. I’ve seen clients get the fade done at a barber shop then pay extra to get the top cut at a salon with shears. So they were paying for two separate cuts. I was able to do both for half of the price.

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.

My grandmother was a beautician. She used to cut my hair, my dad and my older brother used to cut my hair. I felt my older brother messed me up on purpose to get more girls than I did lol. So I asked my sister to cut my hair…, she put a bald spot in my hair and told me to say someone threw a rock and it took out some of my hair. I told her no one would believe that. So I figured if anyone was going to mess up my hair then it would be me. So I started cutting my own hair in 8th grade. Then I started cutting friends later on for free. I also cut fellow Marines while in the military for extra money. After losing a plant job in Michigan at the age of 38 I moved to Kentucky and looked for a career that would set me up to own my own business. Hair was a thing I saw in my community that afforded people to work for themselves. I was strict with my children when it came to grades. I stressed getting straight A’s. So I knew I had to get straight A’s as well, not to mention I was getting a late start. I was about 20 years older than a lot of students, not to mention they had a head start. I knew NOTHING about women’s haircuts, styles, nails, make up or the tools they used. So I watched many videos, and read many books. I went from being the laughing stock to winning contests and awards. I was student of the cycle twice. I was selected by two different teachers in one cycle. I won student of the month and a haircut competition. I had 100% attendance and graduated with a 99% GPA. I scored 96 on my cosmetology state board exam, 98 on my barber exam and 96 on my educators exam. I was serious about education. I have over 350 Five star reviews. Being a Marine I pay close attention to detail. I expect a lot from myself and those in my shop. My goal is for us to be the number one shop in the city. I expect a lot from myself team. I don’t believe in being mediocre. I push everyone to be the best they can be professionally as well being proficient in their technical skills.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I worked 7 days a week for three year’s straight. I pay attention to detail and try to give every client exactly what they want. I strive to be a very punctual person. U take photos of my work. I’m constantly studying, watching videos, attending shows or taking extra classes to improve my skills. I always ask for reviews. Word of mouth is the best advertising, how ever I’m constantly advertising on different social media sites.

I try to lead by example. I work 7 days a week. Most of the time I work 12 hr days. I aim for perfection. I expect a lot from myself as well as the team. I’m very passionate about this industry. I want everyone to leave here better, more knowledgeable and with more skill than they had when they came to the shop. I’m not a gatekeeper when it comes to knowledge. I try to share my knowledge as well as my experience and transferable skills I used from other occupations. I give praise when it’s due, but I also give correction when it’s needed. We will be the best. That’s my motto. There is no “ifs and buts”. We will make it happen.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://g.co/kgs/BWK8Fmt
• Instagram: hisandhersshopandsalon
• Facebook: hisandhersshopandsalon
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deumauris-dee-gray-5290b7103?trk=contact-info

Image Credits

Mr Dee ( Deumauris Gray Sr), cutting comedian Ali Siddiq