We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Justin Eakins. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Justin below.

Justin , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the most important things small businesses can do, in our view, is to serve underserved communities that are ignored by giant corporations who often are just creating mass-market, one-size-fits-all solutions. Talk to us about how you serve an underserved community.

It definitely does.

In 2017 I relocated to Pocatello, a small college town tucked between several mountains in SE Idaho. I had worked as a barber for years up to this point but decided to go back to school to attain licensing as an instructor for both barbering and cosmetology. Upon my arrival, one of the first things I noticed about the area was a lack of diversity. However, I eventually found a small community of black people who did each others’ hair for lack of a stylist or barber familiar with curls.

Being a black male myself, I decided it was important for me to diversify my skillset to better serve all of the underserved communities in the area, not just African/African Americans. The goal was to be able to cut any hair type without issue, but with a focus on curly hair. Once I finished school, I started using different marketing tactics to get the word out about my services. Between doing that and the stellar haircut results I provided, word quickly spread. Before I knew it I had grown a very diverse clientele that not only included Africans and African Americans, but also Samoan, Native American, White American and Hispanic communities.

5 years later, I wake up everyday knowing I have had a major impact on this area by providing a safe place anyone could feel comfortable going to for their self care needs. I not only still own and operate my own shop but I have also expanded my business into travel teaching for various cosmetology schools around the state of Idaho. I am truly grateful that I have been able to serve the minority communities in my area by bringing awareness to how to properly care for, style, and cut curly hair.

Justin , 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?

As a child growing up in Houston, TX I was always fascinated with barbering. I used to watch my dad perform “kitchen haircuts” on my brother all the time as a kid. However, the idea to become a barber myself came in high school when I attended a boarding school called Pine Forge Academy. It was a family tradition for me to attend and both my older brother and my father cut hair while attending the same school. It was one of the easier ways to make money at the time.

I cut my way through high school and college and eventually ended up managing the college barbershop at Oakwood University for 3 years. At this point in my career I do a lot more than just cut hair. I provide addition services like waxing, hot towel face shaves, and facials as well as some specialty services such as scalp micropigmentation, barber skills training and loc maintenance.

I am my brand and I am able to stand out because of the way I do business and the fact that I am reliable and consistent with my results. However, I am most proud of the work I have been able to do around the state of Idaho bringing awareness to curly hair so that the current underserved communities have more options.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

It started with the basics. I made sure from the very beginning to maintain 4 core principles and built off of that. My 4 core principles are consistency, reliability, easy to book with, and above all, great customer service. Just about everyone wants a good barber and having these qualities helped me build the reputation I have today as one (Best Barber Winner 2022 – Idaho State Journal Reader’s Choice Awards).

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

I would have to say it is a split between social media and google. I’ve spent money to advertise on both over the years but have tapered off on google ads due to having a perfect 5 star rating with over 35 reviews. Most people are intrigued by this and generally want to book with me to see what the hype is about. I am able to draw in clients through social media by having entertaining content and promoting some of my haircut specific videos through ads.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jlamargrooming.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlamargrooming/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jlamargrooming/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-eakins-09a4b851