Meet Alpharetta Master Barber and Barbershop Owner: Mr. Quick

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mr. Quick.

Mr. Quick, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I can remember growing up as a kid when visiting the barbershop was a weekly or possibly a daily routine. Men would stop in for a haircut and shave and sometimes just to mingle with friends. Barbershops had a level of luxury, and were alluring and peaceful but had a memorable scent of flavored pipe and tobacco smoke, mixed with the scent of hair tonics and pomade oils, neck powder, and the scent of a man. This was it, this was the place where a man would go for relaxation, and as soon as the hot lather hit his face, nothing else mattered. This was the moment, I began to dream, and my destiny came upon me. I knew that I wanted to be a barber and open my own shop, in Atlanta “The Hair Capital”, because I knew the significance of “The Barbershop”. I began cutting hair at the age of 14, I worked in several shops in Florida prior to my move to Atlanta in 2012. I have experienced tremendous following/growth in my clientele, at the shops in which I have worked. After many years of perfecting my craft and skill, I have come to realize that a good barber is essential to a man’s self-esteem and I am passionate about my work. I had a vision to run a barbershop with an atmosphere that is therapeutic, entertaining, and memorable for the professional male. I had a desire to bring back the meaning and significance of what a barbershop is, and the role it plays in developing young boys into men. In this modern time, what has been known as a “traditional” barbershop has become a unisex salon and men need a place exclusive for personal grooming, and relaxation. My wife and I completed extensive market research, developed a plan, and to aid in putting that plan in motion, we worked with several Realtors for just over a year to find the right location. Once we found the suite that we are in now, we took the necessary steps, such as paperwork, build out, obtaining the equipment/barber furniture, and we finally opened Q’s Traditional Cuts in May of 2015!

Has it been a smooth road?
It hasn’t always been easy. During my transition to Atlanta from Florida, there were many obstacles. Immediately upon my move, I was told that Atlanta would accept reciprocity of my Master Barber license from Florida. However, after submitting my application and receiving a rejection, I realized I had to start from square one and retake both the written and practical exams. In any case, I continued to work at the shop that employed me upon my relocation. During my time at this first shop I grew my business, and by November, had become pretty stable both personally, and financially. Then my stability as I knew it took a turn, and the owner of that shop decided to let me go the day before Thanksgiving 2012, just 5 months after my move here! At this point, I had made plans to marry the woman I love, and we had just started our lives together. So imagine to my dismay, no income!!! I remained true to self, and began using my connections to land another chair in another local shop in Alpharetta, and went to back to work the Saturday after Thanksgiving Holiday. It was slow…very slow in the beginning, but again, staying true to self, with goals and a family I had to move forward. I was restricted at this shop because I still had not taken the required exams to get my license, and with reduced income, I didn’t know how I would even afford to pay for the exams! The owner here would only allow me to work after 5 pm on weekdays, and I could work on Saturday and Sunday. Even still I could not advance and make the money that we needed this way. Once we saved enough money to get my tests completed, I got them done and continued on my way to my destiny! I was able to go full time at that shop after receiving my papers from the state, and that’s when I knew I couldn’t be stopped, and I knew I was blessed! After working at this shop for 2.5 years we (my wife and I) opened our shop which is Q’s Traditional Cuts. I learned through these obstacles and challenges, that when there is a destiny/purpose placed upon you there is no stopping point, you have to persevere, stay true to who you are, faithful to Whose you are, and doors no longer close, they ALL open.

Have you ever felt like giving up?
Yes, I felt like quitting when I was let go from the first barbershop that I worked in here in Atlanta. It was the day before Thanksgiving and I was very discouraged. I overcame this moment only because of my wife, and my faith. This was a really tough moment because I had a family to support and I had to stay positive so that my energy would not pull the family down, but lift us all up.

What would you tell someone who is just starting out?
I would advise anyone to set a goal, write a plan, know self-worth, have faith, strength, and determination to keep going forward.

What are you most excited about these days?
I am most excited about the growth of my family, my business, and most importantly the growth of my fellow barbers’ business. I am excited to see my fellow barbers continue to perfect their craft and grow their clientele. I am excited about the expansion of Q’s Traditional Cuts and the new barbers that will come aboard, a product and apparel line in the making.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.qstraditionalcuts.com
• Phone: 678-235-5963
• Email: qtradtionalcuts@gmail.com
• Instagram: @qstraditionalcuts
• Facebook: qstraditionalcuts