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

Tiffanny, appreciate you joining us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Success is having gratitude, being thankful for those who showed up and not worrying about who didn’t. To be successful, it takes a mindset that embraces both change and discomfort, knowing who God is, more importantly keeping Him in the forefront of everything you do. Success isn’t just about the outcome, it is about the process. The perseverance, determination, patience, consistency and the constant adaptation you go through will shape your success in life and in business. Knowing success has levels of endurance. The real question is, do you understand the wait and the weight of your vision?

Over time, I’ve learned that the “weight” of the journey is what strengthens you. But it’s in the “waiting” when the success seems far off and this is when you should allow God to work on you spiritually, mentally and emotionally to prepare you for the weight of success.

When I started Barber Takeover TN in 2022, it wasn’t glamorous. There was doubt, struggle, and a lot of moments where it felt like nothing was clicking. But that’s a part of the process. Success isn’t something that’s handed to you, it’s earned through consistency and sticking to your vision and relying on your faith, especially when it feels like you’re fighting against the current. There’s discomfort in growth, but I’ve learned to accept it as a necessary part of building something that will last. Also, taking what I’ve learned to help others.

One of the most defining moments for me came early on. I remember feeling completely overwhelmed by everything. I was doing everything myself, planning, managing, marketing, executing and the weight of it all felt unbearable. Success takes mental, physical and emotional strength. During difficult moments, I realized success is like a mountain. There are no smooth sides to a mountain. I also understood how important perseverance is in the face of opposition, as I reference,
James 1:2-4
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

With God’s word ordering my steps, I had to shift my perspective, I placed my focus on building a community around me, small local businesses, car/truck clubs, motorcycle clubs, friends and family, and barbers to name a few like T. Davis @tdaviscuts_, Damon B. @boobieb8s_, Jasmine B. @jazzyyazzy21, Nieko J. @jayblends_ , Jasmine J. and Faded University, Dope Fades, Anti-Broke Barber Club, Salute The Barber, Paige Barber Supply who believed in the mission year after year. The list goes on and everyone involved transformed the direction of The Barber Takeover TN and has made all the difference.
Success is about showing up, staying committed, and being willing to learn and grow, even when things aren’t perfect.

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

My name is Tiffanny Hicks, and I am a chosen woman of God with many talents, I am a mother, a granny and the proud owner of The Barber Takeover TN, established in 2022. While I’ve always had a passion for curating impactful events, this particular platform was born out of my firsthand experience as the co-owner of a local barbershop. The idea came right before Covid, knowing what it took to get the barbershop up and running and how essential the barbering business was, it devastated me to hear the government declaring barbers and the beauty industry as nonessential, I disagreed with that definition of the industry being nonessential. I started The Barber Takeover with other well known barbers deeply rooted in the barbering industry. I realize with a team or without a team, it was about changing the narrative and making sure everyone understood barbers and the beauty industry is essential.
As of 2025, now the sole owner of The Barber Takeover with a focus on the mission: to help barbers, locally and across the U.S. access the tools, education, and relationships they need to thrive both creatively and professionally. The Barber Takeover TN was my way of answering the question so many asked when it came to barbershop ownership or barbering: “How did you do it?”
Looking back it was never about me or owning a barbershop, it was the success story and now I get to help others discover their own “how” which keeps this event thriving.

At its core, The Barber Takeover TN is more than just an event, it’s a movement. We curate experiences that bring together barbers, stylists, beauty professionals, entrepreneurs, and community leaders to learn, grow, and celebrate our shared culture. We don’t just host events; we create moments that spark transformation. When I say “we,” I am speaking of over 800 barbers, several barber schools and volunteers in the industry who continue to support the show each year.

Outside of this, I wear a few different hats that keep me grounded and purpose-driven. I serve as the Lead of the Connection Center at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, essentially the front line of hospitality at our OHB location, where I am lead by Bishop Joseph W.Walker III and the First Lady, Dr. Stephaine Walker. Whether it’s church, or being the first face of local events, or in a room full of professionals, I believe in being the first smile people see. It’s in those moments of greeting, connecting, and making others feel seen that I find my greatest joy.

Professionally, I work in Healthcare IT as a Senior Business Analyst. It’s a role that sharpens my operational mindset, and that balance of corporate structure and community creativity keeps me centered.

What sets me apart is, every year before the show I fast and pray, and my empathy, integrity and character. I’m approachable. I’m intentional. And I genuinely love people. I’m not in this to build a brand—I’m here to build bridges, create legacy moments, and leave people feeling like they were part of something special. I believe in creating environments that make people excited for the next experience.

One of the things I’m most proud of is my relationship with Jesus Christ, and because of Him I am. Life has tested me, but I’ve continued to be resilient, often with my family and friends watching. They are my biggest inspiration and supporters, and seeing them thrive and build their own businesses while empowering me, is my greatest reward.

The foundation of The Barber Takeover TN is built on G.R.A.C.E.:

(G)rowth of small businesses
(R)espect for diversity
(A)wareness Of Mental and Financial health
(C)hallenging mediocrity
(E)ducating our communities

It’s this vision that drives everything we do. My goal is to continue bringing beauty and barber professionals together annually, not just to showcase their talent, but to pour into their purpose. And most importantly, to make sure they know they’re not doing it alone.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the most powerful lessons I had to unlearn was the idea I always had to become empty to feel worthy, by pouring myself into takers, and unlearn becoming more polished, just be myself, and unlearn external validation from others is not my validation and learning to just let God lead. Life has taught me that unbecoming is often the real becoming.
Unbecoming silent when doors of opportunity opened, unbecoming fearful that I wasn’t “popular enough” in the barber industry. Unbecoming bothered by opinions. Unbecoming a bystander and join the conversation. I had to unlearn the idea that people will always support you simply because they started with you—truth is, not everyone is meant to go with you, or support the vision and that’s okay. I have learned protection is often disguised in rejection. What looked like a closed door was often God’s divine redirection. Unbecoming concerned about the opinions of naysayers, because their words are more about their limitations than mine.
So now, I’m becoming a “Let Them” version of Tiffanny.
 One of my favorite books, “The Let Them Theory,” by Mel Robbins.
Let them misunderstand.

Let them go.

Let them doubt. 

I pray and I pause. And I’ll keep becoming, unapologetically myself with grace, through every transition life brings I am chosen, and if He chose me, I trust Him.
That’s the unlearning that freed me to step fully into who I already was.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy has been simple, walking into my purpose and into barbershops sharing my vision, remaining confident: being myself. The show is diverse and I acknowledge we are all people first, and I believe real connection starts with authenticity. I lead with empathy, always aiming to see people—not just their talent, but their heart, their hustle, and their potential.

What truly made a difference was recognizing a need in the community: the incredible Master Barbers, barbering schools, and small businesses in Tennessee weren’t always being seen or celebrated at the level they deserve. I made it my mission to change that. By creating platforms that spotlight their gifts, I built trust, and that trust naturally turned into growth.

People return where they feel valued, and The Barber Takeover TN has become that space. The show will grow not just because of strategy, but because of sincerity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://g.co/kgs/gLFm11h
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annualbarberbattle_tn?igsh=MTQ2NzB6ZnMycWo1bg==
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanny-hicks-m-ed-b63b3086/
• Other: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-barber-takeover-round-4-go-fourth-tickets-1146513365339?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYOlaWp2ncQ1UcwVz7Qt2eC9s81Y2e4uXuDxTYP6RpML_bqSNEuQRxX_O4_aem_8VpbbkGeF3mVYZPRqS3nSg