Daily Inspiration: Meet Ronald Graves

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ronald Graves.

Hi Ronald, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m Ron Graves, owner of HairArchitects-Baldwin Hills! I grew up in Inglewood, California where I was a basketball player at first. The hair journey started when I started cutting all of my friend’s afros with just a pair of scissors and a comb. I was a celebrated basketball player in high school and later earned an athletic scholarship to play basketball at CSUN. I played one year at CSUN but broke my 5th metatarsal bone and later decided to transfer to community college. I later played basketball for two years at PIMA community college where I suffered another injury. I decided to end my basketball career and return home to LA.

Upon returning home, one of my best friends Desi informed me that he enrolled me in beauty college, which was the start of my career in the haircare industry. At first I was hesitant but later decided to follow through with it. After beauty school, I worked at one of my mentor’s salon, Mr. Anthony’s, where I perfected my craft. I worked at American Airlines for 89 days but later resigned. For all of my life, I’ve been self-employed.

I later went on to acquire a major all purpose salon. It had a lingerie salon, cafeteria, chiropractor, dance studio, photography room, seven manicurists, and 20 operators all working under one roof. The business was very successful. At 27 years old, I was nominated for my accomplishments by the late great Johnnie Cochran and his association for “Most Outstanding Young Black Businessman”.

Over the past 40 years, I’ve owned and operated several salons, including RareHair and Hair Architects, which has had multiple locations. HairArchitects Baldwin Hills has been my home base for the past 3 decades.. We are located in the Baldwin Hills-Crenshaw Mall on the 2nd floor and have been open since 1997. We’re open everyday from 10 am- 8pm. We specialize in barber services, hair styling, braiding, anything and everything related to hair. I always like to say at HairArchitects Baldwin Hills, “We cut Lions, Tigers, and Bears! If it has hair attached to it, we’ll cut it! You may have to hold it down, but we’ll give it a haircut.”

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not. From the beginning, I’ve been met with opposition. I’ll never forget when I first started one of my teachers in cosmetology school Ms. Parker—told me I was too slow to learn and keep up with the other students. Instead of letting that stop me, I used it as fuel to pursue my work relentlessly. In the end, my same beauty college called me back to lead orientation for the incoming class and be an example of a successful Hair stylist in school. At 24 years old, I set up a small salon in the back of my wife at the time’s house, so we could work there.

A recent challenge that I’ve had was after the covid outbreak in 2020. Many of my operators in my salon didn’t come back. The industry shifted, and now a lot of stylists work in private suites. Still, I’ve stayed committed to being fair—offering better commission splits. I do not operate on a quota scale like other barbershops. I found this has been effective in keeping barbers/stylists working for the shop for a long period of time. This reconfirmed my belief that, if you treat people right, they’ll stay loyal.

There was a struggle in a business venture I had where I created and sold a pommade called “Surfboard Waves” with a business partner. However, due to a bad business partnership, I had to let that business go. I would still like to bring this business back in the future though.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in hair styling and barbering and the education of the craft. There was a time I stepped away from doing hair for about three years. During this break, I got into the curling iron manufacturing business and dabbled in real estate. I still work with my business partner to manufacture curling irons and we plan to begin selling them worldwide in the coming months, so look out for that and our ECommerce website in the coming months.

My career has taken me places I never imagined. I still do hair on sets for films and styled more than 100 entertainers. For work references, I am able to provide a resume- upon request.
I always believe in utilizing education to be more of a professional in your craft and to give my client a higher quality of work. That’s why at HairArchitects Baldwin Hills, we strive to meet our motto of “Building a Better You!”

I was also part of a stylist/barber apprentice program started by Untouchables Apprenticeship, where I would hire and train young aspiring stylists and barbers.

Right now, I am continuing to work in the entertainment field, not only with personal artists but with different local crews, under the guide of the local union 706. I am also educating students around the world on how to use thermal tools for hair to become master thermal specialists.

My work ethic, education, and attention to detail sets me apart from others in the industry. In the hair industry, you must keep evolving to find new techniques for doing hair and keep finding new marketing strategies to diversify yourself and bring in a new clientele.

My entrepreneurial spirit is rare as well. It’s what allows me to attempt and complete many of my business ideas and allows me to keep trying to create more for myself the older I get. It’s something that I’ve always had since I was 12 years old when I first started washing cars. My mind and body is showing no signs that my hustler’s spirit will leave me anytime soon.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
In my long career, there were many lessons that I’ve learned about hair, business, people, and myself. I’ve explored many different business ventures, worked with many professionals in the industries, and owned many salons to be where I’m at today. The most important lesson that I learned was to never procrastinate. Procrastination will kill all of your progress. If you want to do something, then you have to do it as soon as possible before other things in life get in the way and you end up making excuses for why you can’t do it.

Pricing:

• Kids Haircut under 10= $35
• Adult/Children over 10 haircut= $45
• Senior haircut= $40
• Shampoo, Press, Curl= $85
• Braids= $90 and up

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hairarchitectsbaldwinhills.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hairarchitectsbh?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr