Meet Jimmy (Stoney) Jordan of Stoneys Barbershop

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jimmy (Stoney) Jordan.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
People often think barbering is just about cutting hair, but for me it’s always been about building relationships and creating community.
I started cutting hair in 1988, and what began as a skill eventually became my life’s purpose. Originally from Florida, I made my way to Atlanta with a dream of building something that would outlast me. In 2003, I opened Stoney’s Barbershop in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward, long before the area experienced the growth and attention it receives today.
Over the last two decades, I’ve had the privilege of watching both my business and the neighborhood evolve. Stoney’s has become much more than a barbershop. It’s a place where people from every background can come together to have real conversations, share ideas, celebrate wins, and support each other through life’s challenges. I’ve always believed a barbershop should be one of the last places where genuine community still exists.
I’m also a creator at heart. Years ago, I co-created The Angry Black Males, a live internet show that mixed social commentary, comedy, and interviews at a time when livestreaming was still in its infancy. Looking back, it’s rewarding to see many of those same concepts become the standard for today’s podcasts and live shows. That experience reinforced something I’ve always believed—the power of conversation can bring people together.

Today, after more than almost 40 years behind the chair and over two decades as a business owner, I still love what I do. My goal has always been to create more than a business—I wanted to build a legacy. Every haircut, every conversation, and every person who walks through our doors becomes a part of that story.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey hasn’t always been easy. Building a business while raising a family meant making sacrifices and learning how to balance being a husband, a father, and an entrepreneur. Then COVID-19 brought challenges that none of us could have imagined. Like so many small business owners, I had to reinvent the way I operated just to keep moving forward. Those experiences taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of never losing sight of the people who support you.
I’ve also seen Edgewood Avenue go through incredible highs and difficult lows. While the neighborhood has changed dramatically over the years, I’ve remained committed to being a positive part of its story. My hope is that Stoney’s Barbershop continues to be a place that reflects the best of Atlanta—its culture, its diversity, its creativity, and its resilience.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Stoney’s Barbershop has been serving Atlanta’s historic Old Fourth Ward for more than 20 years, but we’ve always been about more than haircuts. We’re known as “The Home of the Walk-In,” offering quality cuts for all hair types in an environment where everyone feels welcome. What sets us apart is the culture we’ve built—a place where people from all walks of life come together to network, share ideas, have real conversations, and build lasting relationships. It’s a true community hub where the barber chair is just the beginning.

What I’m most proud of is that we’ve stayed authentic. We’ve never tried to follow trends—we’ve focused on serving people and earning their trust. Over the years we’ve been featured in music videos, films, commercials, and photo shoots, but our biggest accomplishment is seeing generations of families continue to choose us. At Stoney’s, we’re not just changing appearances; we’re building confidence, creating connections, and leaving a lasting impact on our community.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Back in 2021, I took a risk and opened a private barber suite. It was a good experience, but I quickly realized suite life just wasn’t for me and closed it after 3 years. I’ve always believed in the traditional barbershop. I love the energy of an open shop where anybody can walk in, grab a seat, and get a cut. The suite life doesn’t offer that, its appointment driven. The open shop model is the culture I grew up in, and it’s the culture I’ve worked hard to build.

I’ve also taken some business risks over the years. I made the decision to raise my prices and switch to a prepaid appointment model. Like any major change, it was a gamble, but it turned out to be one of the best business decisions I’ve made. The transition has been smooth and it’s allowed me to better serve my clients while creating a more sustainable business. I’ve also thought about moving Stoney’s Barbershop to a different neighborhood, but every time I weighed the pros and cons, I couldn’t bring myself to leave. Edgewood Avenue has been home for more than two decades, and I still believe in what this community can become. I’m optimistic about the future here and excited to keep being part of its story.

Pricing:

• Adult appointments $55.00
• Adult Walkin $35.00
• Children Appointments $40.00
• Children Walkin $30.00

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.stoneysbarbershop.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stoneythebarber
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stoneythecuts
• Other: Stoney’s Barbershop https://share.google/HjSIDtSv6Qw00dlNT