Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Vanderham.
Andrea, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I put myself through barber school and found a great opportunity to work in a local barbershop. I placed third in the nation for sales for this particular company and took a close look at my numbers. I discovered a significant difference in the amount of money that I made the company and what the company paid me. I put my notice in that day I and started my company in 2010 with nothing more than confidence in my ability to make this work. I worked full time and put myself through Georgia State University and obtained a degree in Psychology. However, by the time I graduated University my barbershop had really taken off. I was booking up day after day so instead of moving forward with University, I decided to put all of my energy and effort into my shop. Now I’ve been open for 13 years and growing year after year. I think my degree in human behavior allows me to relate to people while cutting their hair. It helps me to provide excellent customer service to every single client. I have the best group of patrons that support me. I’m extremely grateful.
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?
My dad always told me, “The hard road is always the right road,” and I found him to be exactly right. It is challenging to work consecutive 10-hour days, but I have for some time now and the hard work is paying off. Being a barber is physically demanding and you must master doing several things at once such as conversating, cutting hair, educating all while relating to many different individuals to gain their trust and confidence. It has been a learning process like most of our human experiences. I mastered pushing through with the grit and motivation to only move forward. My dad showed me how to work hard so that part came pretty natural to me. Of course, I made mistakes along the way but the key was to never give up and have enough trust and confidence in my ability. I really believed in myself no matter what challenges I was presented with. Looking back I’m so grateful that I never gave up.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Human Canvas is known for the best upscale men’s haircuts, beard trims and shaves in Buckhead. We have some of the most exclusive clients in the community. With being a certified barber and having a degree in Psychology, I combine a stress-free experience with expert grooming skills. We are all about educating clients on how to obtain the optimal look for their individual characteristics. Every haircut service comes with a through consultation, education, haircut, hot lather neck shave, 10-minute scalp massage with two sterile hot facial towels, theragun massage for the back and neck and completed with expected styling using only the best cruelty-free hair products.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I grew up in rural Alabama in a town of about 800 people. We didn’t have much and grew most of the food we consumed. I’ve been working since I was about 14 years old. I knew there had to be more out there than farms and countryside. After moving to Atlanta in search for something bigger and better, I built the business from the ground up from nothing other than determination and willpower. I created something amazing out of absolutely nothing and although I’d like to credit myself for that, my clients are the ones that deserve all of the credit.
Pricing:
- Men’s Haircuts $55-70
- Old Fashioned Hot Shaves $45
- Beard Trims $22-40
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @humancanvasbarbershop
- Facebook: facebook.com/humancanvasllc
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-vanderham-409571213
