In the workplace, employees gatheraround the water cooler to discuss current issues. In the black culture, evenmore specifically in our culture here at Southern, the place for males todiscuss issues is in a much different setting: the barbershop.
Issues concerning “the yard” and itsresidents can be talked about in a relaxing atmosphere, amongst one’s peers.And they enjoy it. Phillip “Phil” Washington recognizes this.
“I have been getting my hair cut byPhil since I got here,” said Alvin Mott a basketball player and a transferjunior from Georgia Perimeter College. “(The) majority of the basketballplayers get their hair cut here so when they referred me, it was all good,” hesaid.
Washington, a 21-year-old native ofAnderson, Indiana, decided to do something with his barber skills and theatmosphere in demand. He opened a shop…right in his dorm room.
” I just took a chance and tried tomake my hustle legitimate,” Washington said.
Washington credits his skills, whichare seven years in the making, to his hometown barber.
“My barber at home taught me how tocut and I perfected my skills on my family,” he said.
Washington’s business is a part-timeventure that he juggles with school and organization involvement. He is doublemajoring in physical education and mass communication, student assistant to theSouthern University Men’s Basketball team and a member of Kappa Alpha PsiFraternity Inc.
“I have a really busy schedule, so Ihandle my business to the best I know how,” Washington said.
Washington usually operates hisbusiness by appointment.
“Most people just see me around andask am I cutting later,” Washington said. “This system does alright for me so Ifigured I shouldn’t try to change it.”
Washington’s barbershop serves as a”spot” for the men of Grandison Hall and other campus dormitories to get theirhair cut and enjoy the normal amenities that other shops offer like magazines,sports programs and good conversation.
“I try to keep my Playstation gamesand music up to date,” Washington said. “I like to give people something to dowhile they sit and wait for a chair.”
His clients appreciate it.
“He takes this thing to anotherlevel; you can play “Madden” and listen to music until its your turn,” saidKelvin Buckley, another resident of “G-Hall.”
There is not much that this youngman doesn’t provide for the students who visit for a cut. From the video gamesto the jamming music Washington’s little hustle is a jewel of an idea that thisyoung entrepreneur has indeed taken to another level. So whether you arelooking to a full cut of just a razor edge, he is serving up cuts with a touchof professionalism in a setting like no other.
