Today we’d like to introduce you to Karone Kelley.
Karone, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My uncle Ben inspired me to cut hair when I was 12 years old. From there, my passion for barbering grew. After a brief stent in college, I worked what seems to be a job after job. After being let go in the early 2000s for one job, I was stuck on a cross road not knowing which way to go. A family member suggested that I do what I always do best, which is cutting people‘s hair. So from there, I decided to go to school to become a master barber.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Transitioning from working a day-to-day job to working for myself was never an easy process. I found myself going through mental struggles and trying to determine if this is what I really wanted to do. Deep down inside, I knew this is what I wanted to do but life was dealing me all kinds of obstacles. I lived from here to there, pretty much, I was homeless. I had to drop out of Barber school to help my mother with some family issues back home in Michigan. With that, I was in an unfortunate situation that nearly cost me my life in 2011 that actually made me want to give up on everything. Despite all of that, my drive and my determination to make a better way for my kids carried me through and I focus on my passion for cutting hair. Upon returning back to Atlanta, my goal was to complete school but fortunately enough I was blessed with someone that wanted to help me get my license so I started an apprenticeship and this is one of the reasons why I am the master barber that I am today.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Midtown Kutz – what should we know?
Midtown Kutz was established in 2017 but officially open its doors on March 28, 2019. The journey to get started was a valuable learning experience but well worth it. Be on the lookout for how to do a book on our process on opening and running a business. Our main focus is on servicing our community with quality work. One of our most popular services is the midtown deluxe which starts with a shampoo. I get this service done myself and highly recommend it. We cater to all hair grooming needs we do everything from color, Facials, Hot towel shaves and the best haircuts in The world. Midtown Kutz is an experience our environment is welcoming and we pride in the fact that we welcome everybody all people of all creeds we are a multicultural barbershop. We have veteran barbers with over 30 years + of barbering experience. Midtown Kutz is Atlanta‘s neighborhood barbershop.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I can remember walking and talking to my father one day, many moons ago. I expressed to him my desire to open up my own shop in this exact location where Midtownkutz sits today. What a coincidence! He has always been a positive role model in my life and pushes me to do all the right things for all the right reasons. He is my mentor, the person I go to when I need advice on any of my life’s trials or tribulations. He gave me encouraging words to push forward and make midtownkutz a reality. That was just the beginning my partner for life Jessica Smith saw my vision and has been a driving force in the creation and survival of midtownkutz. She is the boss lady. I credit the success of midtownkutz to her each and every one of my clients is my supporter without them, there would be no me or a midtownkutz. To me my biggest cheerleader is my family, especially my mother and my aunt every post I put up on social media it’s their comments and love for what were doing along with the rest of my family that also inspires us to keep going.
Pricing:
- The Midtown $35.00 (shampoo, razor, hot towel)
- The Midtown Way $50.00 (Speciality Kut, enhancements, design, mini facial)
- Lady Midtown $$30.00 (shampoo, hot towel)
- Have It Her Way $45.00 ( Speciality Kut, enhancements, design, mini facial)
- Teen Turn Up $20.00 (shampoo, razor)
- Teen Turn Up Deluxe $25.00 (Speciality Kut, enhancements, design, mini facial)
- Kids Midtown Jit $15.00 (shampoo, razor)
- Kids Midtown Jit Deluxe $20.00 (Speciality Kut, enhancements, design, mini facial)
- College ID 10% off (shampoo, razor)
- Outline $15.00 (razor)
- Active Military, Seniors $25.00 (shampoo, razor)
- Outline With Beard Care $25.00
- Beard Trim $15.00
- Begin + Kut $60.00 (shampoo, razor, hot towel)
- Begin + Beard $40.00 (Speciality beard color)
Contact Info:
- Address: 2320 Marietta Blvd NW STE C, Atlanta, Ga 30318
- Phone: 404-548-8896
- Email: Kutzllc1@gmail.com
- Instagram: MidtownKutz
- Facebook: Midtown Kutz
Image Credit:
Brandon B. Lystic Lee
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