Today we’d like to introduce you to Andy Mason.
Hi Andy , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My Barbering Journey began at the age of 15 in St Thomas Virgin Islands on my front porch, the day my uncle decided that he was a Barber. His failed attempt at cutting his friend sons’ hair quickly became my task, due to my harsh criticisms and constant jokes about his inadequate skills as a barber. He threw the clippers at me in anger and frustration and said “Let me see you do better!” To his and even my surprise a barber was born.
My Uncle then became my client and his friends and their sons quickly became my little community of clients. Throughout the quick rise and my increased skills in barbering, I never wanted to be a barber and the pursuit for the industry was never something that I desired. I graduated high school and worked in a barbershop for six months to generate income before I left for college. January of 1998, I attended college (Alabama A&M University) where I studied Telecommunication with a minor in visual art. While at A&M my new found friends and soccer teammates soon realized I possessed the skills of a barber and there went my free time and my peace and quiet.
Even though I was good at cutting hair and others thought the same and enjoyed my work, at no time did I ever said to my self that, “I want to be a barber when I grow up.” I ran from barbering to college to get a degree so I wouldn’t be a Barber, I was the Jonah Of Barbering; however, every time I turn away or ran it pulled me back in and it was always rewarding. My reasoning as to why I didn’t wanted to be a barber or why I ran was that I never thought it to be lucrative enough job to support and provide for a family when It was time to have one. I didn’t love it or had a passion for it. It was simply something I knew how to do.
It was 2002, I Graduated A&M and moved to Memphis with no intentions of being a barber. It was post 9/11 and companies were experiencing financial difficulties and hiring was at a stand still. After weeks of filling out applications and submitting resumes after resumes the idea of getting a job with my degree or in my field was highly unlikely; but, I did possess a certain set of skills that I now realize are recession proof.
In 2003 a friend of a friend knew my dilemma and suggested a Barbershop in Whitehaven, and there was Barbering pulling me back in. This time my fight and resistance was put on hold. I gave in and haven’t looked back since. My Journey in Memphis was Seamless as a Barber. After my first year in the shop my clientele grew tremendously which caused me to work from sun up to sun up. On any given weekend I would be at the shop from 8 or 9 am to 3 or 4 am and back up to repeat the process in just a few short hours.
In just 7 years of being in that shop, setting a foundation, working countless hours, cultivating relationships, and building a brand. The opportunity to purchase the shop from the owner arose and that is where and when this Entrepreneur was created. Five years of renting that Space on Millbranch and Holmes and providing the community there with quality service ended when I forced to move in 2015. I then purchased my Current building located at 1055 E Shelby Dr close to Elvis Presley Blvd where I now have a love and passion for barbering and provides PREMIUM and TOP TIER barbering services and Experiences that are unmatched in Whitehaven and Memphis Tennessee. I no longer have any intentions of running from barbering and I welcome it with open arms with all the love and passion I’ve accumulated over these 30 years that I’ve been in the industry.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My Journey has been fairly smooth along the way. The struggles that I have faced are finding individuals to work along side me that are ambitious and driven in the manner that I am. I have been very successful as a barber and have now completely changed my mind from my earlier idea that barbering wasn’t a lucrative enough job that allowed the opportunity to provide for a family.
I have done it, I have built it and I know that others can build it as well but there has to be a drive, there has to be ambition, there must not be any distractions, like parties, bad habits, friends or significant others; however, there needs to be support from significant others and family.
A foundation must be fabricated and relationship with clients needs to be cultivated of which will formulate a steady clientele that will then allow for time to be spent with significant others and even parties if that’s your desire. The SACRIFICES must be made in the beginning to be able to build the Business needed for success.
The struggle is finding individuals who grasp and understands this concept.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
ABSS.llc is more than just simply a BarberShop. It’s a BarberSPA, it encompasses the whole body. Our Guest can enjoy an experience from an haircut that commence with an invigorating shampoo service, with a mini facial or an optional full deep cleansing and moisturizing facial after their perfectly sculpted haircut and beard grooming. Guests can also enjoy a full Body Massage ranging from deep tissue, therapeutic, hot stone or ABSS.llc customized top tier massages.
There’s also the opportunity to experience a Manicure or Pedicure or even both if desired by our guests.
We focus on the entire care of the body, our staff is knowledgeable in their designated field and are skilled in providing the desired service for each guest.
We are simply unique, there’s no other Business or facility like ABSS.llc in Memphis Tennessee. We are of the highest quality and professionalism, Our facility is top notch, original, very clean, the ambiance is soothing, the colors are inviting and the customer service is upper echelon. When you come to ABSS.llc be prepared to leave the troubles and hardships of your day or life outside while we take you away for the duration of your stay with us.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
For those just starting your barber journey, I advise you to take it serious, work hard at it and try to be consistent, Consistency is what creates long lasting clients along side hard work and dedication. When is time to work, Work! Don’t allow any outside influences to take you away from your task. Stay Locked in and it will reward you.
Barbering is not a hustle or a part time job, if that is your mentality then you WILL never be successful a Barber.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://abss1055.com
- Instagram: abss_barberspa
- Facebook: Andy Mason
