We recently connected with Herman Mayfield and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Herman, thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?
All my life, I believed I needed to “fit in”; however, God had a different path for me. I was never considered a “good student” during my schooling, but my creativity and determination to forge my own way inspired me to become my own boss. Although I have made many mistakes along the way, I believe my legacy will be my refusal to conform. I always maintain professionalism and strive to foster strong rapport with everyone I encounter. I will NOT accept “no” as an answer when it stands in the way of my goals. My perseverance will remain unwavering, even in the face of resistance.
Herman, 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?
Greetings, beloved! My birth name is Herman Mayfield Jr., but I’m better known in the beauty industry as The JackOfAllCutz. I am the CEO and Master Barber/Artist of The JOAC Experience Grooming + Beauty Studio. I have been blessed with a supportive wife, Donisha, for almost nine years, and three beautiful kids: Jaheim, Zahmyri, and Dahkiya, who fuel my passion.
For over ten years, I have immersed myself in the tonsorial industry, staying current with its rapidly evolving techniques. My journey began in my youth due to limited options for self-maintenance. My mother could not afford to send me to barbershops like my peers, so I learned to practice self-maintenance as a teenager. While my creative talent has always been present, it naturally evolved from drawing into a craft that surprised many. I was never particularly focused on becoming a barber, but the encouragement from close friends and family helped me realize that my potential was far greater than my initial desires. Unfortunately, my desire to forge my own path was not enough to motivate me to finish high school. Ultimately, during my senior year, I was compelled to drop out due to my circumstances and obtain my GED. I was determined to change my trajectory, and within six months, I achieved my GED, feeling more accomplished than ever as I satisfied my internal desire to prove myself to myself.
Two years later, after embracing the self proclaimed identity of ‘your favorite barber’s favorite barber,’ I eagerly enrolled in barber school. After some time, I obtained my barbering license and entered my first professional barbershop. However, after two and a half years at that establishment, I felt the urge to spread my wings and take a leap of faith, showcasing the creative ideas that God had gifted me.
Now, as I embark on my third year of ownership at The JOAC Experience Grooming + Beauty Studio, I couldn’t be more excited. Within my establishment, I offer a diverse range of professional services, including haircuts, steam treatments for the scalp and/or beard, charcoal mask treatments, therapeutic scalp massages, loc care maintenance, chemical services, and more.
Outside my studio, I have been honored to share stages with some of today’s leading names in the industry. Since barber school, I have received awards from multiple hair competitions, participated in panel discussions, showcased my work at prominent hair shows in our area, and even served as a judge. Recently, God has elevated me, allowing me to share my stories with schools filled with eager young entrepreneurs. The joy of being chosen to ignite their imagination and creativity is truly beyond words. This year alone has placed me in rooms that my younger self wouldn’t have dared to dream of, and the best part is that this is just the beginning.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
Definitely, it is essential to maintain consistent quality in tonsorial services. Most customers generally dislike building relationships with a new barber, tattoo artist, etc. However, they will do so if they don’t feel as satisfied as they did during their initial visit. My particular field requires more than just haircutting skills; it also demands patience, self-discipline, empathy, and honesty, among other qualities.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I’m always reminded of this experience. On my very first day in my GED course, my ride forgot to pick me up, leaving me stranded in the rain. After calling around with no luck, I ended up walking four miles in one direction to get home, all while enduring hurricane-level rain. By the time I finally reached my destination, I was completely soaked. The red dye from my brand-new GED folder had stained my hands and clothes. As I entered my home, I stood in the doorway for a while, drenched from the long walk and feeling defeated. Then, an epiphany struck me. I realized that if I let this small detour stop me from completing my GED, I would be repeating the same patterns from previous years. Looking down, I noticed that all the contents of my soaking wet folder were completely dry. That’s when it hit me: despair not what our environmental factors bring on, keeping that drive intact on the inside is all you need to press on.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linqapp.com/JackOfAllCutz?r=link
- Instagram: @jackofallcutz
- Facebook: Herman Mayfield (jackofallcutz)
- Other: Ring My Barber – Booking Linkhttps://www.ringmybarber.com/barber-profile/herman-mayfield
Image Credits
Ty’Quez Ruffin