Today we’d like to introduce you to Cam.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Cam. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I am originally from Louisiana and I moved to Atlanta in 2003. I started cutting hair professionally in 2012. I left my corporate job of eight years to pursue a career in Barbering. I was introduced to a barber named Tyrone. He gave me a chance to apprentice under him and he has been very instrumental in my success as a barber. Being the only female in the shop I had to work twice as hard to build my brand as a female barber. I always wanted to have my own shop. I always believed in the law of attraction and speaking things into existence. The morning of my birthday 8-14-2016, I woke up and immediately the thought hit me that I would have my shop by my birthday the following year. That became my motivation to step it up, I even started to tell people I’ll have my shop soon. I began looking for shops shortly after and with the help of my mentor we found the perfect location that I currently operate today. In 2017 on the day of my birthday exactly one year later, I signed my lease. I didn’t plan it, it just happens to fall on that date. I can’t thank anyone but God for that. So I say to any working towards your dream, believe it as if it is already here and it will come.
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?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I remember starting out in the shop and getting passed over because I was a female. We had a system where we would take turns with walk-ins, so my turn would come up and the other barbers would tell a walk-in “she can take care of you” …they would look at me like “Nah I’m good ill wait on the next barber. The talks I would have with my mentor prepared me for that though so it didn’t bother me, it only became fuel to prove that I was just as good if not better than these other guys. A lot of customers would come in and let me cut their kids but I guess they were not confident enough to let me cut them. So I did just that. I would cut all the kids that would come in, put designs in their heads and made sure those fades were flawless. If the shop was packed I would spin them all around in all angles to make sure everyone saw I wasn’t playing about these haircuts. At that point I started getting the attention from the dads and all the older guys. I would hear them whispering man she can cut. I’m like yeah but you was sleeping on me though..so go ahead and wait on them other barbers lol!. Just kidding, I didn’t say that but I definitely was thinking it. Seriously though, I never allowed a challenge to deter me if anything I used it as motivation and never took it personal. I went from being passed over to being completely booked 😉
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My business Cam Cutz Barber Studio comes from my name CAM, but it also means Creating Art Matters. I am an artist before I am anything else. I can paint, draw, even tattoo, but Barbering stole my heart, so I gave it my all. I didn’t want my business to feel like your normal Barber Shop, which is why I dropped the “shop” at the end and called it a studio. I have a great line up of barbers/stylist and we all can service any hair type and all ages both male and female. The moment you walk in the shop, you can’t help but notice the art on the walls and the vibe is unmatched. I remember being in the barbershop and women not wanting to really hang out so I wanted to create a space where anyone felt comfortable hanging out and joining in on the conversations. Barbershops at one point were kind of like a men’s only club, but we are breaking that door down and making the barbershop feel more family-oriented. So come see us!
What were you like growing up?
I was a great kid. Always trying to figure things out. I’m 5’3 so I’ve been little all my life, but I think I had the biggest personality. I loved to draw and play basketball when I was younger. I thought I was one of the fellas on the court. I was always the smallest of the group, but never afraid to speak up. I think I learned early on that I was good with my hands. Once I watched someone do something once, I would go back and try it. From fixing things to bouncing a basketball, to creating art, I could do it all. I was never cocky though, always humble and I think people gravitated to me because of that. Still do!
Contact Info:
- Address: 875 Mansell rd suite a2
Roswell, GA 30076 - Website: camcutzbarberstudio.com
- Phone: 404-462-1400
- Email: camraytheartist@gmail.com
- Instagram: @camraytheartist
- Facebook: camcutzbarberstudio
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