Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan “J.B” Bradley.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My story is a crazy one. Growing up I loved to draw, paint, create or design. It didn’t matter what it was; from matching clothes to creating a masterpiece sandwich. Appearance was a huge thing growing up. Thanks to my sister’s sense of style I wanted to be like her in that aspect, growing up. Growing up in Houston, style and appearance is a huge thing. And you find that out early in life, like elementary. Lol
My Pops used to cut my brothers and I hair growing up. It was okay because it was a simple low all even cut. Where he lacked was the most important thing, the edge up. It was either dull, pushed back or crooked. My older brother cut his hair one time and I liked what I saw, so I asked for a cut. It was refreshing, but short lived because he didn’t always want to do it. So I just started doing it myself. I figured if I messed up it was all on me and it was a teaching moment (I would know not to do that anymore if I made a mistake). I was in 7th grade then (12 years old) and I started getting better. So my little brother was tired of Pops butchering his head now and want me to cut his hair. That was perfect because I have him to practice on. As I got to high school at this point I’m solid and haven’t been to a barber until prom. That’s the first time I let another person cut my hair besides myself, in 6 years. In high school I was cutting a few friends and teammates from basketball. Still never thinking this is what I wanted to do for a living. I didn’t see the career nor money in it. But I always told myself I would never work at a desk and have to dress up daily. I went through college, University of North Texas and built a solid clientele for myself. The extra money allowed me slight financial freedom to buy sneakers. I’m a huge shoe-head.
As I graduated college my plan was to relax until my apartment lease was up, for about 3-4 months. I mean, do absolutely nothing. I figured I’ve been in school since I was legitimately 5 years old. Was time to take a school vacation. As the weeks and months passed my roommate’s started to graduate. One morning my roommate Nathan asked me to just join him to an open house for a mortgage company, at the time was called Centex. He just didn’t want to do by himself. I’m still thinking, “I’m not doing anything. I’m still on school vacation.” Lol So I agreed to accompany him. I’m there just going through the motions, not being serious, answering questions with the first answer that comes to mind. Not knowing they are loving me. I got hired on sight and they wanted me to start the next week. So after the open house we riding home and I’m like so how u do? He’s like, “I don’t know ok I guess.” I’m scared to say I’ve been hired because this wasn’t even my idea to get a job. His dad was so admitted about him working or he had to move back home. So I tell him and he’s like, what the hell? So I finessed them into thinking I had been working to up my start pay to $39k. Knowing I’ve only been working on doing nothing.
All the plans of vacationing from school then go back to Houston were now over. I graduated with a Business degree in Entrepreneurship and strategic management. So I always felt I would own or do my own thing in the career world. The job was cool, nothing hard but repetitive. I met some cool people there (then known as Nationstar) and build some solid relationships as well. Even help launch and create a promotional/marketing group known in Dallas as Crown Holders. We started hosting events throughout the metroplex and there I learned from different comrades such as Erik Grayson and Sabeina Harris. The extra revenue stream was great. That opened my eyes to the hustle of taking an idea and bringing it to life. With the for sure income coming on the 1st and 15th, it was easy to set up events and multiple the revenue. Needless to say, time has flown by and I’m doing exactly what I always said I didn’t want to do; sit at a desk and have to dress business attire daily. There were days I bucked the system and would wear my Jordan’s or not tuck my shirt in. Lol Not know it was the entrepreneurial mindset inside of me trying to get out. 8 years has not passed and I’m still clocking in and having to request time off just to see my family. That really bothered me. I felt handcuffed at times with the corporate structure. I always knew I wanted to own a barbershop but didn’t know what or how to go about it. I just knew that I would save up and buy a venue and go from there. Thought about quitting numerous times because I knew corporate wasn’t in my plans. You never know how much time flies by when you are B.S’n. Company started doing layoffs and I’m on the fence of quitting, I take it as fate when the day I really was not feeling it, I was let go.
I immediately called my mom and sister and told them what transpired. We prayed about it and let it to. Many of my closes friends called and text with words of encouragement. After the talk with my mom I was so at peace. She was like well now just get all your financials and bill’s taken care of and really figure out what you really want to do. I paid all debts off to eliminate any setbacks or extra funds going out unnecessarily. Pretty much gave myself a blank canvas. At this point, I was still utilizing my craft to cut hair to have some funds. But I was cutting out of my apartment, in the kitchen. I had a daughter now and knew she needed things too. My close friend’s wife just kept pushing me to go to barber school. I didn’t know where to even start. I started looking up schools in the DFW, in search of one that wasn’t too far (if possible) and feasible. I took the leap of faith and ended up enrolling into Dallas Barber College. Not knowing since I graduated and went to college they didn’t allow me to get the grant to cover it. So I was I had to go into my IRA and pay cash for school, $8500. I took barber school pretty serious. My circumstances were now different. I am so thankful for the assistance from my mom throughout that 9 months of school. But my focus and grind and hustle has now change. I utilized what the corporate world taught me, with professionalism, punctuality, and customer service. I met a young barber name Armond. He was so helpful in my growth. Mind you he was 10 years younger than me but was a professional barber already. And was damn good too. I soaked up every gem he showed me as well as watched my peers in order to perfect my craft. I treated barber school like a 9 to 5 job. I was there early and left late. That persistence help gain a huge clientele in school. Tips turned into full payments for cuts. I was also coming home to cut hair, in the kitchen as well. Sharpening up on different techniques I started to see myself grow. Upon completion of school I was blessed to be granted a chair, in a shop near my house. I was extremely nervous. Each day I would just pray and say thanks and to guide me through each day. I cut at Matthew’s Luxury Cuts and Styles for a solid year and about 8 months. From sun up to sun down. I wanted to build that reputation that if the doors were open you would know I was there. You didn’t have to look for me or ask where I was because you would see me working. Building that workmanlike rapport with clients allowed me to build a solid base in the surrounding areas. Utilizing my social media leverage with the Crown Holders brand allowed me to mass market myself and craft. As the Google reviews increased with positivity and word of mouth spread; I knew it was time to really walk on my own.
November 6, 2017, I was able to sign a lease for my very own personal suite. I have come a long way in such a short period of time. The journey is still going and has been better and greater each day. I am a full time entrepreneur. I no longer have to requests time off to see my family. And all my needs are met. I still feel this is only the beginning of greater things.
Has it been a smooth road?
Definitely has not been a smooth road. Any entrepreneurs that say it was are lying. You are scared, worried and stressed. With the encouragement, confidence and support of family and friends they kept me faithful in my journey. Willing me and telling me I’ll be okay or that everything will work out. A solid support system is key. You will feel alone and second guess yourself, of if this was the right choice. The one thing about Entrepreneurship is that it will humble you as well as have you doubt yourself. Constant questions of, “Can I do it?” “Will people like it?” “Can I compete?” “Will people come back again?” I had the talent but was still sharpening my skill level. In this industry you’ll tend to see a lot of talent but lack of skill or passion. The biggest downfall of Entrepreneurship is comparison. Comparison is the biggest dream killer. Your dream will fail, die, or stall if you compare yourself with someone else’s.
Through the first stages of pursuing entrepreneurship. I constantly worried of ends being met. Will I be able to pay this or that? Quite frankly can I survive?! Starting so late in the game, at now 37, I wondered if my time has passed to actually be a barber. I would always hear in school how you don’t want to die behind the chair. Meaning you can cut hair as long as your body allow you to but don’t look back and have nothing to show for it. Budgeting and planning is key for entrepreneurs. Financial discipline is a major key. As fast as the money comes in, it can’t go out just so fast because you know you can make it right back the next day. Barbers deal with cash daily. And without proper time management, budgeting and planning your money can be spent before it’s even made. We all have been victim of spending before having the money. The-once-I-get-this- I’m-gonna-get-that disease. But in this line of business if you’re not putting in the consistent work you won’t benefit from it. This is truly a you eat what you kill profession. There isn’t a 401k plan that’s matched. There aren’t any checks coming on the 1st and 15th. You must put in the work to benefit. You don’t want to be the guy in the shop just cleaning his clippers but they’re never in use. You have to look at yourself as a CEO and figure out ALL decisions that need to be made in order to be successful. No one is going to do it for you.
One of the toughest parts an entrepreneur has to endure is the fake love. Peers will celebrate and encourage you at the start of your journey. But as you rise as an equal the love is less and once you’re passed them the love is gone. Always remember your grind and hustle is not their grind and hustle. You can do you better than anyone else can. So you must stay focus on your own path. Yes you will miss out on events, parties, and trips but the sacrifice is worth it. Nothing more gratifying then seeing something through that you put the work into.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I AM A BARBER! You would not believe how that phrase gets frowned upon. I tell others the barber profession is not respected by many because many of own barber peers don’t respect the profession. We have to treat it like a professional career and not as a hustle or hobby. We are licensed professionals. No one looks down when you say you’re a Dentist or masseuse. Too many negative stereotypes about the barber profession places an umbrella over the whole profession. Growing up it was always a guy that knew how to cut hair but did he know he could make it a career. So without that knowledge one would just say, yes I cut hair on the side. Now when you state that you cut hair most have that what else you do stare. Not realizing I making $50-$60 an hour. What sets me apart from most is customer service and punctuality. Those are the ones that hinder the profession. Of course you have to have the skill but I’ve seen barbers thrive with a lesser skill level but his/her clientele loves their punctuality and customer service. That’s one of the few things I have applied from the corporate world. Be respectful of one’s time. I am still a student of my craft and the industry is always evolving. You must evolve with the times or you will not maximize your earnings and growth. I can cut all types and styles of hair. If hair grows, I can cut it. Most barbers get locked into only servicing a certain demographic, and that also limits growth and earnings. Now with new services available, if hair don’t grow I can still service you to your liking with Male units (Male hair weaves). Another thing that sets me apart from most barbers is that I work 7 days a week. Most in the profession are closed on Sunday and Monday. I try to leave no stone unturned. I am so proud that in such a short time I have been blessed beyond measure and thankful for continued blessing as a growing businessman. As stated my God-given talent is art (painting, drawing, and sculpting) so I take pride in my craft because my clients are my walking billboards of advertisement. My mom used to ask why I don’t draw or paint anymore. Now I tell her I do it every day just with shears and clippers.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Dallas is a great city for business period. There are so many transplants in the DFW and different ethnicities to reach. With me being in the northern part of Dallas there still aren’t many African American barber shops to go to and get quality service. I hear so many of my client’s stories of how they just moved here and how difficult it has been to find a good barber. I would say 90% of my clientele aren’t from the Dallas metropolitan area, so it’s definitely room to build and grow.
Contact Info:
- Address: Salons by JC
CUTS BY J.B ROOM #7500E. Round Grove Rd
Lewisville, TX 75067 - Phone: 832-754-3640
- Email: realfaith77@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/jalansdad
- Twitter: Twitter.com/jalansdad
Image Credit:
Matthew’s Luxury cuts & styles
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