Today we’d like to introduce you to Josh Byrd.
Josh, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Wow! How did I end up here? That is usually the question many ask when they feel as though they’ve ended up in the wrong place. Well, the reason I ask the question is quite the opposite. I pause from time to time to stop and take it all in and wonder how I was ever so fortunate and blessed to be in the position I am in today: I am married to a beautiful wife, own my own home, and I am a thriving barber and business owner. I owe a debt of gratitude to the barbering profession; it changed my life.
My path to Barbering and Grooming was a little different from most. My life, for as long as I can remember, has been about helping people. I grew up in a community where most people didn’t have much; people learned to work together to survive and make ends meet. I suppose seeing my mother lookout for and extend a helping hand to many is what ingrained the idea of helping others within me. By age 14, I was already giving back to my community by working with kids and absolutely loving it. Childcare became a 13 years career. I have done almost everything you could imagine in childcare from babysitting to facilitating summer camps and directing afterschool programs. During my time in childcare, I was able to help thousands of kids and families, all the while building lasting relationships and bonds along the way. Not many relationships have been more important, influential, and encouraging than the one I created with Tyrone Hopper. I met Tyrone when I was 23. He and his wife moved into the Roswell, GA area and were in search of After School care for their children. I met Tyrone’s wife first because she picked the kids up day to day.
After a few visits and a few small conversations she boldly said, “You need to meet my husband. Y’all would get along well.” Meanwhile, I’m thinking this woman is crazy for trying to push her husband off on me. Little did I know, she was right: I met Tyrone and immediately developed what has absolutely been one of the most influential relationships in my life. Tyrone and his wife are both seasoned professionals in the hair and beauty industry. It was Tyrone who introduced me to the barbering world and took it upon himself to teach me the craft that had transformed his life. It’s not often that you meet someone willing to generously help you for free. I’m forever grateful because barbering has allowed me to make a living for myself, it is how I met my wife, and it has allowed me to grow in ways I had not imagined.
Tyrone asked me about barbering for two or three years before I decided to give it a try. He said I had a couple of things going for me that could set me apart and neither quality had anything to do with cutting hair. One was my work ethic and the other was my ability to consistently listen. He believed those attributes would carry me far. In the first few months, I was full of self-doubt and I was unsure if I had made the right decision. When I first began, I could hold a conversation and build rapport but I couldn’t cut hair well. There were lots of struggles early on, but with Tyrone’s encouragement and advice I pushed through. With much practice and hard work, I was able to develop into a good barber. I elevated from being a barber that customers laughed at and tried to avoid, to becoming one of the most in-demand barbers in the shop. Thinking back on that progression puts a huge smile on my face. I overcame a lot in that process and learned even more about myself. Confidence and self-belief go far in life.
After six years at the shop, I realized it was time to transition to my own space and create something I could call my own that was uniquely me. Over my first six years in barbering, I discovered that I cared more about the conversation that evolved from creating relationships with clients than just getting another person in the chair. The desire to build relationships and provide a more tailored experience for each client led me to open A Touch of Brilliance Barbershop and Grooming Studio. I wanted to build an environment that was much more personal and engaging: one in which clients could relax and fully enjoy a wide range of services. Being able to provide clients with a tailored grooming experience has really been exciting. It’s amazing to see how the environment and atmosphere create new levels of comfort for clients. I feel like I’m getting to know them on a deeper level and it makes what I do so much more meaningful. Launching my own business has created a host of opportunities and partnerships that will help me build for the future. I’m extremely excited to see my full vision come to fruition. I know I can conquer the world and all my aspirations along the way. I look forward to taking on every new adventure with no fear.
Has it been a smooth road?
I faced some obstacles and challenges along the way, the main one being myself. Getting rid of self-doubt and gaining confidence was a challenge I overcame. It’s hard to move forward and progress when you don’t believe you can. Getting over that hurdle transformed every area of my life. Realizing that I have a choice to believe the best will happen or the worse will happen everyday impacts my life still.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with A Touch of Brilliance – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I own a barbershop and grooming studio that strives to provide a tailored experience for each client. That experience can be tailored to meet specific grooming needs, i.e., scalp treatments, thermal scrubs, spa facials and, aromatherapy, or something more simple like listening to your own personal music selections while receiving service. When I created A Touch of Brilliance, I wanted to provide an atmosphere and environment that catered to each individual client and allowed complete and total relaxation. One thing I am most proud of is the relationships that I have been able to build with each client. I believe that building relationships with clients is fundamental for my business and is truly at the core of what made the barbershop so impactful in the past. I stand out from the crowd of great barbers in Atlanta because my focus is on the client and not just on getting another butt in the chair. I strive to create and maintain lasting relationships with each client while providing top-notch service in an environment tailored to their personal needs.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the diversity that Atlanta possesses. I have clients both from around the country and the world. Atlanta is becoming the new place to be and people are running to get here. One thing that absolutely grinds my gears about the city is the traffic it is terrible as most people know. Improving the infrastructure here in Atlanta would make a major difference.
Contact Info:
- Address: 11770 Haynes Bride Rd. Alpharetta GA, 30009
Salons by JC building Ste. 401 - Website: https://efexxapps.com/r/atouch
- Phone: 6784694530
- Email: byrdthebarber@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atb_grooming/
Image Credit:
Kenneth Bradley, Darrell Byrd
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