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

Zayne, appreciate you joining us today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later?

I would have liked to have started my business sooner. I’m much happier even though it took longer to achieve my goal. I believe I learned a lot by waiting. I believe it helped to wait to have a true direction. I don’t know if it would have meant as much to me had I started sooner. I’ve been licensed as a cosmetologist/barber for 12 years now. Before my career in hair I was licensed as a massage therapist.

In both of these professions, as with many service related positions, if you don’t have clients you don’t get paid. I believe all professions are in the sales profession. If you’re a plumber you sell plumbing services. If you’re a car detailer you sell detailing services. So if you cut hair you sell hair services. You are an entrepreneur from the beginning of your career. You must put yourself out there to attract clients. You talk to people about your services. You dedicate your efforts in client retention. You provide an experience that clients feel satisfied enough to share your name with others. It is an ongoing process to attract, retain clients, and continually raise the bar for them to feel appreciated and honored for choosing your business.

I believe some may rush into ownership too early without knowing what it means to be a great employee. I think a great employee makes a great owner / boss. I’ve worked for good and bad bosses. I’ve learned a lot from both. I’ve learned what to do and not to do. This journey has helped me gain my own direction. I want to be the kind of boss that attracts a strong team and empowers my employees.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?

My name is Zayne Ward and I’m often quoted as being a Jack of all Trades. I served as a cook in the US Navy after high school onboard an aircraft carrier. After the Navy I worked in the galley of an oil tanker traveling from California to Alaska. I finally traded days on the high seas for days in the classroom earning a degree in culinary arts from Johnson and Wales. I worked for a number of years as a chef in Charleston, SC and Winston Salem, NC.

When I decided to hang up my apron I became a massage therapist. When my back gave out I decided to try my hand at haircutting. I’m currently licensed as a cosmetology instructor, master haircare specialist, and a barber instructor. I worked as an Instructor at Paul Mitchell the School Columbia. I worked at a few barbershops before I deciding to open my own.

Devine Street Barbers @ 2321 Devine St. – just a stones throw away from 5 Pts. / Old Shandon / and Devine District Apts. We are a group of like minded artists who truly honor the craft and profession of men’s grooming. A simple idea and plan to create a place where the haircut is put first. No gimmicks or theme, unless you feel eclectic art with the look and feel of an art studio / tattoo shop is a “theme”?!

A place where all of our friends / acquaintances / and clients could hang out and leave looking and feeling better than when they arrived. We feel we’re setting a new standard for hair, a place where the haircut service isn’t rushed, a place where quality always wins over quantity, a place where you are treated with appreciation and thanked for you trust and patronage.

Appointments preferred – walk-ins when available. All of our barbers book appointments using the Booksy Scheduling App.

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

The strategy is “simple” but evolving. It is putting the client first and never forgetting that you are working for them. I think about the fact that everyone of my clients passes multiple barber/hair salons to get to mine. They chose me and Devine Street Barbers.

I continually strive to improve my skills and provide a friendly, safe and clean environment to welcome my clients. Some people say, “You’re so lucky to be in business for yourself. You don’t have a boss.” What they may not realize is I have multiple bosses. Each and every client is my boss. If I’m not providing excellent service, in a pleasant environment, and at a fair price, my boss will find another barber who meets their needs. So your clients are your “bosses”.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I would like to answer the question but I don’t want to focus on the past. I want to look towards the future.

Marilyn Monroe once said, “I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they’re right and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together”.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://booksy.com/en-us/dl/show-business/738830
• Instagram: @zanewithay @devinestreetbarbers
• Facebook: Zayne at Devine Street Barbers – Devine Street Barbers
• Other: Google – Devine Street Barbers