Today we’d like to introduce you to Taurean (BaeBae) Overall.
Taurean (BaeBae), let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Seven years ago, I started my entrepreneurial journey… I worked at warehouse painting screws for $8.50 an hour 5 days a week 8 hours a day… For four years. At the time in my life, I had no direction no goals no vision… I was 25 years old with no college degree…I never even stepped foot into a college. Around that time America went through a small recession and a lot a business were closing or laying people off…well I was one of the people who had gotten laid off.
At this point, I was really lost and confused…I had no idea what to do next in life… One thing I did know was I couldn’t work for anybody anymore…I wanted my own businesses doing something. About a month or two after getting laid off…the girl I was dating at the time, dad was opening up a barbershop soon…and he asked if I wanted to come help paint and lay some tile and basically get help get the Barbershop ready to open in a few months.
Of course, I said yes…it was my girls dad lol. So I began to help with the shop….a few days into working with him, he asked me if I ever thought about cutting hair? I laughed it off and said no because it was literally the last thing I thought about doing. He started to explain barbering to me and what it means to be a barber and on top of that how much more could be made if you do it right…he even went on to talk ownership and the benefits of bet that. From that point on, I never looked at barbering and shop ownership the same…I immediately fell in love with the idea. He gave me $50 and Told me to go to Walmart and grab some clippers and trimmers and to start practicing cutting my own hair.
I wasted no time…I was cutting my own hair the next day…and over time and a lot of failures I starting to get hang of it. I started cutting friend’s hair for free just for my practice. And I was dedicated to watch YouTube tutorials on cutting. By this time I made up in my mind that I was going to be barber and own shops across the world I even gave myself a name “BaeBaeDaBarber”. Unfortunately, adversity strikes again….right when I got the hang of it and was determined and knew my direction…the barbershop I was helping on never got to open….so I was Back to square one. I went around to local barbershops to see if anybody was hiring… and all shops were fully staffed.
My last resort was to go to the barbershop I went to in high school called “strictly platinum” in Marietta GA my barber Rapheal Clark was the owner at the time. I went to the shop and explained to him how much I love cutting hair and how dedicated I was to becoming great. He heard and believed every word… But his Shop was also full….but he said he would call me as soon as something opens up. About a month or 2 goes by and still no phone call from anybody…I felt defeated. My unemployment has ran out and I needed a job to pay my bills….so I gave up the Barber dream and started looking for 9-5 jobs. I applied for quick trip gas station I heard they had good benefits and good pay…and immediately I get hired…
What are the odds of that….the job I don’t wanna do I get hired for immediately but something I wanna do I keep getting doors slammed in my face? Life ain’t fair sometimes but God makes no mistakes. I’m driving to work for my first day at quick trip…and on the way I received a phone from my old barber I mentioned and shop owner. He says “one of my guys moved out of town I have spot ready if you still interested.” I immediately pulled my car over told him yes “I’m interested,” he replied you can start today if you want…I said I’m on my way. I prayed on the way to the shop….that God gives me the opportunity to be great to be successful and to help those that are lost.
Long story short….today, I own two barbershops my 3rd one is in process right now… I’ve cut over 100 well-known celebrities. I traveled across the world cutting on movie sets and video sets. I have done back two school events for my community where I have giving over 1000 book bags and school supplies and free haircuts. I kept my promise to God and he kept his….through this journey I had to realize God was just seeing how bad I wanted it and To see if he could trust me with the opportunities that he has lined up for me.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Feeling lost and just wanting something so bad but I never works out.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My barbershop is called Blessed Up Barbershop.
The reason for the name is…..thats really only way I could explain how I got to where I’m at now it was all a blessing.
We specialize in all textures of men hair…we are a fun friendly family shop….anybody and everybody is welcomed through our doors.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I played sports football and basketball…I grew up in a very strict home…I was raised to be the “best” at all times. I’m very, very, very goofy and funny guy…I always try to keep a smile on peoples faces.
Contact Info:
- Address: Shop #1 Blessed Up Barbershop (2543 bellsferry rd. Acworth Ga. 30101)
Shop #2 Blessed Up Barbershop (2557 baker rd. Acworth Ga. 30101
Shop # 3 Blessed Up Barbershop (2228 Holly Springs Pkwy Canton Ga) - Instagram: @blessed_Up_Barbershop_ and @BlessedUpBarberShop2
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