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What is this?
Area student cashes in on passion for hair cutting
Published Thursday, February 7, 2008
NATCHEZ — Ronnie Brooks is a teen with a passion — a passion for cutting hair.
And that passion just won him some cash.
Brooks said his mother, Angela, convinced him to enter a scholarship contest sponsored by Family Dollar entitled “Pursue your Passion.”
Photo by Marcus Frazier
Natchez High School sophomore Ronnie Brooks won $2,500 for an essay he wrote and entered in a scholarship contest sponsored by Family Dollar. Brooks’ essay was selected as one of 20 submitted by 6,500 stores nationwide.
Brooks won $2,500.
Brooks’ essay was selected as one of 20 submitted from 6,500 stores nationwide.
Brooks said in his essay he talked about his desire to become a professional barber.
He said his mother was a bit concerned about the content of his essay.
“Not too many people want to be barbers,” he said. “But I really like to cut hair.”
And for just 15 years old, Brooks has cut his fair share of hair.
Brooks gave is first hair cut at just 11 years old.
His first unofficial customer was his uncle.
“It wasn’t perfect,” he said. “But it was pretty good.”
When customers are scarce, Brooks has no qualms about practicing on himself.
“I can line it up pretty good,” he said, referring to his ability to trim and shape his own hairline.
Brooks said he has practically perfected holding a mirror in one hand and trimming his hair with the other.
He admitted he has botched his own haircut at least once.
“It wasn’t too bad,” he said. “I just wore a hood for a while. My hair grows out pretty fast.”
After hanging out with an older neighbor, who also cuts hair, Brooks said he became interested in the trade.
Brooks said whenever his neighbor was cutting hair, he would pay very close attention to everything he did.
When the neighbor moved, Brooks took his spot.
And before long, Brooks was cutting hair in his neighborhood.
While Brooks said he does not have a set clientele he does have a technique for getting new customers.
“You only charge $3 for the first haircut,” he said. “That shows them you can do a good job.”
After the customer can see the quality in the work, Brooks said he raises the price of the next haircut.
And it’s that type of progressive thinking that helped Brooks to develop a loose business plan at a young age.
He plans to attend a four-year-college to study business, after college, get a beauticians license, then open his own chain of barbershops.
If all goes according to plan, the first shop will open in Chicago where most of Brooks’ family lives.
And his mother thinks his plan just might work.
“With his good attitude he can do anything he wants to,” she said.
Comments
Posted by pj (anonymous) on February 7, 2008 at 7:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Way to go, Ronnie! It is good to see some of our youth with the discipline and drive to plan for a productive future. Best wishes for your future!
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on February 7, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good Job!!! Amidst a lot of foolishness from some young folks these days, (and old) it's nice to read an article on a young, black man, doing himself and the others around him, some good! Good going on the scholarship and keep up the good work. Most people will always need a haircut.
Posted by nosyrosy (anonymous) on February 7, 2008 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is a positive thing for a teen in our area. good luck to you, but be very careful, your business may get you into some money trouble. A license is required by the state to cut hair for profit. Hope the health dept doesn't read this article.
Posted by cosmololo (anonymous) on February 7, 2008 at 12:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is awesome news for you Ronnie. Just wanted to let you know we have some awesome cosmetology schools and barber colleges here in Nashville, TN. I am originally from Natchez, but, have been away for almost 20 years now. I teach cosmetology in a local high school here and I always love to hear of someone thinking about our field. I love it and hope you are very successful if you choose this field. If you don't I still wish you all the best. Congrats!
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on February 7, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Young man, you have the entrepreneurial spirit . . . keep working your plan!!!!!!!!
Perhaps you may want to obtain your cosmetology license as soon as possible, find a storefront to set up your barber shop, then attend college while you're building your business. That may be a faster path to where you want to go. Take some time to take a successful barber out for a cup of coffee or lunch -- pick their brain and get their advice. Seek out the advice of SUCCESSFUL people/barbers/cosmetologists who are operating VERY successful and prosperous businesses. Build rapport and offer your assistance to them if they will take you under their wing to learn the "business" side of it -- having a mentor would be very beneficial.
In the meantime, shake off the naysayers.
Good luck!
P.S.: In observance of Black History Month . . . KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE!!!!!!!!
Posted by ChooseOrLose (anonymous) on February 7, 2008 at 4:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations Mr. Brooks!
I like your plan to get new customers by charging a low fee for the first haircut. I admire all of our young entrepeneurs and young people who have fresh ideas for marketing.
Customers, don't forget to tip your barber/hair stylist/beautician!
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