Today we’d like to introduce you to SpudCutz LLC.
Hi SpudCutz, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Born in Chicago, IL. Raised in Benton Harbor, MI. Before I owned a barbershop/beauty salon named SpudCutz that included a makeup and nail studio, I was kicked out of several barbershops because of my talents with these clippers. I once rented a chair that was in an old broom closet. I didn’t care that they had chairs available on the main floor. Humiliation didn’t bother me because I was just happy to have a chair.
My clientele was growing too big for my mother’s porch. I caused too much traffic and attention. I would be on the porch all day and night making an honest penny, and a nice one at that. But with ups come downs. Being a Barber taught me a lot of balance. It taught me how to pick my crowd and keep my nose clean. All I wanted to do was make money. I walked off $20/hr jobs knowing a day’s work there was about $130 post-tax. When I could cut hair on my mother’s porch bringing in $400/day tax-free and I was the boss! SpudCutz was known all over Benton Harbor. To me that’s a big thing to see. This town made me who I am today. A little city is full of many talented people, tough people. When I opened SpudCutz with Natasha Parker, there was pressure behind us. Not the normal pressure, blood, sweat and tears. I grew up in poverty where hard times made you or broke you. By that time, I had been broken down so many times, I couldn’t break anymore. I opened SpudCutz so that family and friends could make money…. Whoa, reality sank in fast. Lamborghini fast lol. Family/friends and business just shouldn’t be mixed. Everybody wanted a discount or free. I fell out with many friends for not being reliable and lack of communication. I couldn’t hang out anymore. I couldn’t chill anymore. To them, it was just a barbershop, but to me, it was my life. I planned to name haircuts after my homeboys but before I could hang posters with pics of the styles, I only had a handful of friends left; Linson Powell and Bernard Goines were two that impacted me greatly. They were there for me in ways that I could not imagine.
Then I met my bro @scoobycutz from Memphis. Scooby owns a barbershop “N Da Game Cutz” in Memphis. His barbershop came with opportunity and much more. It was an elite barbershop. I mean, every Barber was gifted. Everyone wanted to elevate even more everyday. We worked and shared ideas that were brought to life with energy. Driven by ambition, pain, determination, quality over quantity, sacrifice, dreams, reality and broken promises. Last but not least, actually understanding that I would hear more No’s than Yes’s. I came to Atlanta May 8th with some of the barbers from “N Da Game Cutz”. These guys had become more like family. We were celebrating a new level.
Since coming to Atlanta, I’ve hired an Executive Assistant, Renee McEntee, owner of Bright Smiles Atlanta. I had her set up a meeting with Omar, owner of Cut Creaters Salon Suites in Decatur. At Cut Creaters, I was able to perform my top-notch services without the concern of being penalized. I was encouraged by Omar to do my best and create my lane here in Atlanta. This was the first place I felt at home. Free to express myself, with Renee filming every cut. Making sure my footage and videos are on point. Taking appointments, running my many errands, creating and maintaining my social media platforms, taking client payments and more.
Then just when I thought I had started establishing myself in Atlanta, my life changed again. I became a single father to my six y/o boy. My son Isaiah “Zay” Crayton was sent to live with me from Michigan. His environment was toxic and he needed his Father more than ever. With that, my prayers were answered. I was given the opportunity to raise my son into the Man I know God meant him to be. He’s my reason every day to be the best father, business owner and Man that I can be. No way I can stop with him looking up to me.
And now, WE TAKE OVER ATLANTA! I don’t want to say I’ve made it because doing so implies that I’m done. I’m nowhere near done. Even with 17 years of experience under my belt, I still feel like I just started. I have sooooo much more in store for not only the city of Atlanta, but for the WORLD! Make sure you keep up!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
To say it’s been a struggle would be an understatement. From deaths rip DTee the choppa/to falling out with family and friends who do don’t understand my vision to broken relationships. I have jumped hurdles that would have killed a weaker person. But I’m thankful for my struggles. They made me a man. They made me understand that “NO” was not the end. It just means find another way. I had to get comfortable with being different. I had to get comfortable with the fact that not everyone that I loved would see my vision. It’s not for them. Now I’m doing everything I envisioned for myself and other things I never imagined
As you know, we’re big fans of SpudCutz. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At the end of the day SpudCutz represents Masculine Luxury. Men spend so much time taking on the world that sometimes they forget to take care of themselves. I’m here to remind men that there is nothing wrong with taking care of your skin and hair. Pamper yourself. When you feel great, everyone around you feels great. What sets us apart is the time and attention to detail that we take while giving our clients an opportunity to indulge in self-care.
I specialize in Male facials that include steam and hot towel treatments, a three step pore cleansing system, Charcoal peel off face mask and so much more. And for the men losing hair or wanting to get that youthful full head of hair back, we specialize in MALE HAIR UNITS. Yes, male hair units. Our male hair units are customized and styled to each client. Each unit is customized to the client’s hair type, facial structure and preferred style. I kid you not, it will knock 20 years off you quick. Women spend thousands of dollars to replace or add hair. You can too for much less! We use all human hair for the most realistic feel. We provide a discreet service. Your business is your business and we guarantee nobody will know unless you tell them. Honestly, my skill level and offerings for Men is hard to find in the city of Atlanta, and I’m ready to blaze the trail. SpudCutz is on a mission to be bigger than Super Cuts and Great Clips combined. I need to make a lane just as big if not bigger for people of color, all from the dreams of a young boy from a hood over 700 miles away. You can contact SpudCutz at (562) 524-8449. Currently cutting at Faders Barbershop 2421 Piedmont Rd. NE Atlanta, GA 30324.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
One thing I don’t like is that I thought hate came from people you know, but since I’ve been in ATL, I have been in 4 shops in three months. First shop, other barbers clientele started coming to me for cuts. The owner wanted me to lower my prices or leave his shop. I chose to leave. Second shop, the owner let me charge my price but kept raising my booth rent once it was clear how much I could make. It was raised twice in one week! At this time, I was frustrated but mainly confused. I knew I was a different barber. I was devoted to my craft and career. This is not my job. Barbering is my life. It’s made a new life for me. It’s carried me across the country. I’ve met so many wonderful people along the way. But why was I being removed from these shops? I had to understand that God will remove you from a situation to put you in a better situation, as he did.
Pricing:
- Men’s Hair Unit (starting at $500): Consultation needed for pricing
- Presidential SpudCut ($250) includes: 3 step Pore Cleansing System, 3 hot towel treatments, 2 Face/Temple massages, Menthol mint vanishing cream treatment, Cool Towel pore rejuvenation treatment, Black Charcoal Face Mask, Tea tree oil moisturizer, Topped with Premium SpudCut
- Premium SpudCut ($100) includes: Relaxing Shampoo/Conditioning Treatment (Beard included), Customized cut to fit each client, 3D enhanced SpudCutz line up, Crispy Razor line up, Relaxed and Fun environment
- Regular SpudCut ($65), 3D SpudCut Line Up ($50), Regular Line Up ($40), Kidz SpudCut ($40 up to 14 y/o), Teens SpudCut ($50 15 y/o and up)
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/spudcutz?utm_medium=copy_link
- Phone: (404) 399-2298
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maserati.spud
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCSpQkrDzXhEF6_N6ep-CUvg
Image Credits
Photographer @brightsmilesatlanta Group photo (N Da Game Cutz Kid photo smiling with design and me holding his head (my Son Isaiah “Zay” Crayton)
