Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Carway.
Hi Mike, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was graduating high school and I knew I wasn’t going to college and didn’t want a “9-5”, So I bought my first barber kit and started teaching myself how to cut. Never had a teacher, mentor, role model, nothing. Just watched YouTube videos and other barbers when I went to go get a haircut. I worked a couple of different construction jobs, getting off of work to go cut hair all night. Well, cutting hair wasn’t really getting anywhere so I almost quit and then I figured out I had my first child on the way and I was only 19. That’s when I went all in. Once I got a little better at cutting I started really reaching out, using connections to make other connections, and trying my luck on getting into certain places just to network with the right people. You will get turned down so many times just keep going because all it takes is one yes and the right eyes to discover you.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No road is smooth to greatness. No one wants someone to cut their hair that just started or isn’t good. Working physical labor jobs all day then going to cut hair all night and getting 3-4 hrs of sleep to do it all over again. Investing my very last. Contemplating if being a barber was the right thing for me. Dealing with doubt and failure. Becoming a father at a young age and losing my mother 3 weeks later. No big support system, just stayed focused, never lost faith and always told myself “if they can do it, I can do it”. Consistency is key, literally.
As you know, we’re big fans of MikeCutIt llc. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Mikecutit llc is my barber brand based in Atlanta, GA, serving all surrounding areas. Usually, people will come in and say they saw me saving someone’s hairline on Instagram or how sharp they are. I take pride in all of my work, take my time, & make sure every client is more than satisfied with their service. Everyone that sits in my chair is treated with top-notch respect and genuine love. My clients are my celebrities. I always put myself in a client’s perspective before anything. There are only 3 services I have to offer, Haircut, Haircut and Beard, and line-up package. I’ve learned, a lot of people just want and good, sharp haircut and not all the extra.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
At the time I was going to barber school, I was working a construction job making bare minimum and I told myself I know I can make more than this a week cutting hair if I really put the grind in. I was nervous about quitting though because this is my only income at the moment, haircuts were only here and there, but I know I have a new born to feed, rent, typical bills, etc so I talked to a few of my people to see what they thought after I broke everything down and best choice was to quit. Made myself a game plan and told myself I must execute and did exactly that. Now I haven’t had a job in 2 years, love what I do, quadrupled my income, and in places, I never thought to be in, in only 2 years of quitting my job. Even though I’m nowhere near I want to be I can taking that risk changed my life for the better.
Pricing:
- Haircut and Beard Package / $75
- Haircut package / $60
- Line up / $40
Contact Info:
- Website: mikecutit.booksy.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikecutit?igshid=Zjc2ZTc4Nzk=
