Today we’d like to introduce you to Askia Lawrence.
Askia, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My story began as a young kid growing up in Milwaukee, WI. There were five of us and four were boys. We primarily got hair cuts on special occasions. That’s really where my desire to learn how to cut began. As I got older, I would see the barbers around my town walking around with lots of money, which made me more inclined to learn how to cut. I knew I didn’t want to turn to a life of crime like selling drugs or robbing people. I can’t rap so that definitely wasn’t an option. Out of desperation to make money, I started cutting hair around the age of 14. I’m pretty much self-taught. Naturally, the more I cut, the better I got. I built a solid clientele base and eventually opened my own shop.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Life as a barbershop owner hasn’t always been a smooth ride. I relocated from Milwaukee to Atlanta in 2014. I felt like the south was calling me! I saw how minorities were really thriving down here and decided to open my own barbershop. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find good, solid people to work with me, so I eventually had to shut down after a year and a half. I spent a couple years working at two other shops after that. During that time, I stayed proactive and never lost sight of my ultimate goal. I met several like-minded, career-focused barbers and shop owners who were looking to expand their careers. In September of 2019, I opened NexLevel with a solid team behind me and it’s been all uphill from there. Life comes with challenges so we have to persevere. I’ve learned to expect the unexpected. I don’t ever take what I have for granted. It’s important to me to remain humble and appreciate everything I’ve been blessed with.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Nexlevel Barbershop story. Tell us more about the business.
Nexlevel is a barbershop; however, we offer a wide range of services. We have two ladies who are barber/stylists. Some of our other services include facials, waxing, quick massages, hot towels treatments and razor shaves, just to name a few. What sets us apart from similar businesses is mainly how structured we are. We pride ourselves on our customer service! From the initial greeting until the time you leave, we make sure you’re receiving the ultimate customer service experience. We want our clients to feel good about spending their money with us, so we provide an entire experience, not just a haircut.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Luck comes and goes but being consistent, reliable and responsible is really where longevity stems from. That’s really what I rely on in my professional and personal life. I figured out as long as you don’t give up, everything you’re trying to do is achievable.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4471 Jimmy Lee Smith Pkwy
Hiram, GA 30141 - Phone: 404-621-2164
- Instagram: @nexlevel_barbershop
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