Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Taron Haynes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Taron thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear a story from back when you were an intern or apprentice. What’s a memorable story you can share with us?

Having the opportunity as a young male in today’s society to become successful and make it out can be tough. Entering the barbershop in desperate need of work, gaining a job as a sweeper was a blessing. I was later offered the option to level up and become a barber by entering an apprenticeship. That apprenticeship changed my life, being able to work, grow and become an entrepreneur all in one. With my background I was not fortunate to have guidance or role model to teach me the ropes or educate me through life. But the barbershop did, It gave me life, really. It gave me go hope. As I grew, my craft grew, my education grew, my personality grew, my finances grew and most of all I became a respected barber of the community. Having the blessing to touch many lives touched on mines. Overall gaining knowledge and relationship from all different walks of people. I am truly grateful to be in service to the public. As the world grow I grow with it. Everyday through everybody.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am originally a barber who later advanced into a master barber. I leveled up to master barber in order to intern the next less fortunate individual to give them an opportunity just as I had. And I did, by apprenticing a great person who is now established as a great barber. I felt limited with my skillset and the people I serviced, so I continued my education and went to Aveda cosmetology. Later graduating and becoming a licensed cosmetologist, I can now offer more services to clients and growing to be a more diverse stylist and educator. As I grew, I learned that I grow with the people I service. Knowing that I rely on my clients just as much as they rely on me made me more passionate of the relationship. Understanding that I was an influencer and public figure of the community I later realized I had the power to build a community and lead people in the right direction who may needed support. Learning that all the walks of people I touch, male, woman, kids, rich, poor, tall, short, black, white, all races, etc. EVERYONE is excepted. And I make sure I strive to satisfy everyone by giving them a real personable experience along with a great cut.
I recently formed the idea to start curating events to host events for my community, To further the experience with me. Allowing us to grow more, tighten relationships and give the opportunities to network with like minded individuals. Ultimately building a power community & safe place to grow with people. With the new photo studio and event space venture this will allow me to assist with my people with my creative direction to bring dreams to reality. Showing my diversity and not just in the shop. I’m an artist! The barbershop was just the first style and technique to my note pad.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

With the upbringing of a single mom household and 2 siblings with the assistance of my grandmother. And no father in the home. Life was not easy, from surviving on welfare and mom waiting tables. We moved quite often, ghettos to ghettos, school to school. I built the skill to adapt and always fit in. Never really understanding that this was all in gods plan. As time went on life became difficult more and more, expenses grew and the economy went up. Making my mother Less and less in the picture in order to provide. I had no other choice but to become the man of the house and look out for my family. From the age of 9 and my sister age 11 we did most of the raising of our little brother. In process we did not endure the proper education, guidance, nor comfort from a traditional family style. Our mother was still a kid raising kids. Also not coming from the best upbringing, which she did her best not to repeat. But some thing and cycles don’t get broken in one generation. As she learned and grew we had go through those journeys as well. From a rockstar lifestyle, partying, drugs, and all types of people in and out our life. Not getting the right influence what so ever but I actually grew from it ironically. Rather than becoming my environment. Learning what I didn’t want to be like rather than having the influence to want to be like. It built a mindset that wasn’t taught. What I did learn and understand the most is you always have to work hard and continue no matter work to survive. I seen my mother do it, so I couldn’t be any other way. That was commendable of her. I never had any animosity from the childhood or from the upbringing. I just strived to always keep going to one day some day bring my family together the way I wish it could had been. My mom gave the best tools of life to get me where I am today. A set of clippers, and when she did. Everything just fell in place. As we grew old enough to be considered adults my mother gave up after her 18 years of struggle. Leaving me and my older sister to figure it out. I respected that, I did what I did best. I adapted, I took the good from the bad and used the fundamental tools I had formed to later put me in position to grow. Hard workmanship, personable, strong, & adaptable. I had no idea what I was gonna do but I knew I would find a way. I got in trouble in school, kicked out and went to barbershop for a job. I was home, I was in a happy place. All the education or opportunity I ever needed or wanted was now in front of me. From sweeper, to barber, from educator, to shop owner, to now a public figure. I DID it. I’m still doing it. And now I’m in position to help my family. Build my mother back up and most of all assist with my guidance or inspiration to the next young male who may relate

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Funding my business was always from the money I saved. I wasn’t educated enough to know about credit or skilled enough to build it. Technology was not as advanced as it was today, to learn as easily. All I knew was if I want something I have to work hard to get it. Everything. No one ever did for me, So I was also very independent when it came to growing. I never knew help really so I didn’t know how to go about getting it. I was very fortunate to be able to fund and pay for whatever it is I wanted in life. I loved that and if I need the education now I can go pay for it. That is why I will always push and strive for individuals to always have a trade to rely on. No one can ever take it away from you. And you can always find a way to profit from it.

Contact Info:

• Website: Weezcreationsz.com
• Instagram: @Weezzzkutz
• Facebook: Mr.Weez Weez Kutz
• Youtube: @weezzz

Image Credits
Korey brown also know as KBEE, childhood friend & first client. If it weren’t for him I would not of had the practice or growth I needed in order to elevate the way I did. Never forget where you start and I will always thank you my brother.