Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Randall Vaughn. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Randall, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
I (as well as my siblings) became an entrepreneur because of my parents; my mother instilled the concepts of independence and self-reliance, and my father was a serial entrepreneur. Growing up, working in his businesses (bookstore, theatre) as a child, proved to be invaluable training in developing and cultivating an entrepreneurial spirit. Being able to bear witness to the trials, tribulations, ups and downs of owning and operating a business was critical in my decision to “take the plunge” into enterprise! I ultimately concluded that I would rather be the master of my own destiny, with entrepreneurship as the vehicle, over working a 9-5 job.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I opened INTOWN Hair Studio (a full service salon and barbershop in Castleberry Hills-ATL) in 1992, along with my sister. We operated the business successfully together for 13 years. I then successfully transformed the business into a full service salon and day spa for the next 11 years in a new downtown Atlanta GA location. After an evaluation of my true business strengths, I decided that men personal care services and products is where my core competency resides, and opened Classic INTOWN Barbershop & MEN Spa. I am a creative; artist/musician/producer/inventor, so I consider myself fortunate to own and operate a business that compliments my creative drive. At Classic INTOWN Barbershop & MEN Spa we offer Classic Cuts, Close Shaves, Deep Cleansing Facials, Manicures, Pedicures, and more! I am very proud of our FIVE*****STAR Google rating, with hundreds of 5 star reviews; it is a testament to our commitment to quality services and products, and stellar customer service.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
When I first started out in business, I was a bit naive; I thought a solid business plan and a desire to open a business would be enough to secure financing from a banking institution. How wrong I was! Securing capital was a bit more involved; you need collateral, a great business score, and a solid personal credit rating. So I had to rely on personal savings, friend and family loans and entry-level/ used equipment to get started. As the business grew in popularity, I was able to upgrade the business equipment and improve the overall customer experience. I believe that business owners should ALWAYS re-invest into their businesses; customers love to see incremental improvements in business spaces.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I am certain that our businesses professionalism has been key in establishing a stellar reputation within our industry; for example, Classic INTOWN Barbershop & MEN Spa has great relationships with all of the downtown Atlanta concierges at some of downtown Atlanta’s finest 4-5 star hotels; they consistently send their valued guests to our business. They know our long term reputation, and are confident that Classic INTOWN will provide great services, at a fantastic price point, in a timely manner.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.classicintown.com
- Instagram: @classicintown
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/classicintownbarbershop/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randall-vaughn-470a1241/
- Twitter: @classicintown
Image Credits
All photos: INTOWN Media